One of the hardest things about having a backyard pond is keeping the pond water clean and clear.
Even small ponds can become a murky-looking green or brown color in a short amount of time.
So, what’s the secret to get beautiful blue pond water?
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The quickest and easiest way to make your pond water an attractive blue color is to use pond tint, also known as pond dye.
Blue pond dye will immediately give your pond a healthy blue appearance and it has other benefits as well:
Reduces algae growth – Blue pond dye helps to block the sun’s UV rays penetrating the surface of the pond.
Algae and pond weeds need sunlight for photosynthesis, so reducing the amount of sunlight entering the pond will slow the growth of algae and reduce algal blooms.
Keeps the pond cool – Blue pond tint helps to reflect the sun’s rays, which keeps the water temperature cooler in hot summer weather.
Cool water contains more oxygen than warm water, so it’s better for fish and the beneficial bacteria that lives in the pond.
Protects fish – Pond dye also helps fish to be less visible to birds and other predators.
Pond preparation
If you have a lot of algae, muck or debris in your pond, you’ll need to do a clean up first before adding the blue dye to your pond water, otherwise you’ll end up with a blue tinged murky soup.
- Use a long handled net to scoop out dead leaves, flowers and other debris that has fallen into the pond.
- Install a pond water filter if you haven’t already and rinse the filter daily to remove the algae.
- Add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or use an algaecide to get the algae under control.
Using blue pond dye
There are many different shades of blue pond dye to choose from including aqua blue, twilight blue and black.
Aqua blue is the most common dye for backyard ponds and it will give your pond a natural looking turquoise color.
You can also buy pond enhancer, which is a combination of royal blue pond dye and beneficial bacteria, so it helps to maintain the color and clarity of the pond water and break down debris in the pond.
Pond dye will stain your hands and clothes so you’ll need to wear gloves and old clothes when using the dye.
It’s highly concentrated, so you only need to use a small amount. You’re better to use a bit less than directed and add more later than overdoing it.
The dye usually lasts for three months, but it will fade quicker during the summer or if you receive heavy rain.
You can add a bit more dye when you see that the color is starting to fade.
Blue pond water dye is safe for all types of animals that may use the pond including fish, birds, frogs and other wildlife.
It won’t harm your pets either.
So there are my tips for using pond dye to get beautiful clear blue pond water.
Here’s a quick video that shows the transformation from green colored pond water to beautiful aqua blue water using pond dye.
RELATED ARTICLES
- How to Reduce Pond Water Evaporation
- How To Fix Green Pond Water
- How to Keep Pond Water Cool in Summer
Have you tried using pond dye in your backyard pond? Let me know in the comments below.
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards dedicated to Backyard Ponds and Water Gardens that you may find interesting.
Also, check out the Must-Have Pond Products page where I list the essential pond products to make life as a pond owner much easier!