There is nothing more relaxing than having a pond in your backyard. And if you want to enhance the aesthetic as well as functional value of your pond, then the use of river gravel is necessary. It will give a more defined, and finished look to your garden pond.
River gravel is a name given to small pieces of stone, which is composed of small pieces of gravel. These are of varied shapes and colors and are formed after years of corrosion, by river water flowing over it. This ensures a round edged shape and a naturalistic color.
When you think of a pond, the things that probably strike your mind would be beautiful fish, green submersed plants, and most of all a serene and calm environment. Little attention is given to the bottom of the pond. But that part of the pond is also a vital part of the miniature underwater ecosystem. It is this substrate, which helps to maintain a healthy environment for the fish and plants.
River gravel has a natural ability to soak water, enabling it to reach the roots of the plants for more effective nurture. Apart from being aesthetically valuable, it also ensures durability by not losing its shape or color for a long period. This variety of gravel will also minimize the process of soil erosion by forming a protective layer on top of the soil.
Another reason for choosing the substrate of your pond carefully is that this will be the breeding ground for the fish. Due the natural round shape, this gravel, will be an ideal place for the fish to spawn. Since this gravel is a heterogeneous mix of shapes and colors, it will also act as a camouflage for the waste and food particles in your pond, therefore maintaining its aesthetic beauty.
River gravel also has the requisite density to maintain the oxygen concentrations required for spawning. Finer grain gravel could clog the pond filters and have a harmful effect on the digestive system of the fish. On the other hand, if the grain is too large, then the fish will find it difficult to move the aggregate for the purpose of foraging of food.
Inter-gravel microbial activity is also catalyzed due to the natural features of river gravel. It provides a haven to beneficial bacteria, which helps build up a healthy environment for your fish. If you are planning to have a pond with plants, then the substrate holds the second most importance after light. River gravel has the ability to soak water and store nutrients, so that the plants grow at a healthy rate. It also provides a steady anchorage to the plants.
It is important to keep in mind the depth of the gravel aggregate. If you have a under-gravel filter then a layer (approximately 1-2 inches) would do just fine. A thick layer of gravel would not get oxygenated very well and would become a place where food particles will rot and produce a toxic substance known as hydrogen sulfite.
One of the best preventative measures to guard against this is to gently mix the aquarium substrate on a regular basis, thereby releasing the gas before it builds to deadly proportions. Finally it is very important to wash the gravel before placing in your pond so that the finer particles do not remain suspended.
Coolponds is a trusted name in the field of building, maintaining and servicing ponds and dealing in accessories like pond filters, pumps, food supplies for fish, aquatic plants and rocks. We have been serving our customers successfully since 2001 and taking care of their varied needs.
The diverse collection of Gravel we offer includes:
· Pea Gravel
· LG Brown Mix – Available in an assortment of 1 1/2" rocks
· LG WHITE MIX – Containing sizes ranging from 1-3"
· MIX BROWN – Brown stones of size 3/4"
· MIX WHITE – white stones of size 3/4"
· TAHITIAN GRANITE
· RED DECO – available in a size of 1"
· LIME GRAVEL
Now that you are convinced of the benefits and uses of river grain gravel, go ahead and enjoy your creation and remember that by using this variety of gravel you have made the right choice for your pond.