Pond
Terminology

By Cyndie Thomas

Above Ground		Bottom of pond is at ground level or above.
Aeration		Agitation or movement of water to increase dissolved oxygen (fountain, waterfall)
Algae		Unicellular algae , string and filamentous green alga
Algal Bloom		Rapid growth of algae ( Referred to as green water, pea soup)
Balance		Proportionate number of plants to maintain healthy pond water.
Beneficial Bacteria		Nitrifying bacteria, which reduce ammonia compounds to nitrate. Oxygen and water temperatures above 50° are needed for activation.
Bioload		Decaying plant material, dead algae cells, fish food, fish excrement and all elements that increase nitrites and ammonia.
Bog		A natural occurring, or man made, acidic peat bed which is constantly wet.
Bog Plant		A moisture loving plant requiring acidic, loam soil. This term is often misused to describe a marginal water plant.
Brackish water		Water with high salt levels
Coping		Edging material placed to hide and protect a flexible liner or shell.
Dechlorination		Process of neutralizing chlorine, chloramine in treated water.
Dissolved Oxygen		Level of oxygen saturation available in water to sustain pond life.
		Quality water should average 6-10 PPM for Goldfish and Koi. Fish would be stressed and may expire at 5 PPM or less. Dissolved oxygen supports beneficial bacteria.
Dye, colorant		Water additive used to minimize sunlight penetration to decrease algae growth and increase reflective quality.
EPDM liner		Rubber and ethylene-propylene diene monomer
Evaporation		Loss of pond water to the air from the pond surface leaving behind dissolved salts and toxins in greater concentrations. Evaporation is increased by wind, air temperature, and low humidity.
Evapotranspiration		Moisture loss from water's surface and the surface of plants in the pond.
Filter media		Plastic discs ,balls, foam, volcanic rock and other multi-surfaced items lending to growth of bacteria colonies for biofiltration, and lending to the capture of suspended solids in mechanical filtration.
Filtration		Process of removing suspended solids or converts organic debris and fish waste to less toxic substance.
Filtration, biological		Media with active colonies of nitrifying bacteria, which reduce ammonia, compounds to nitrate. This process being the Nitrogen Cycle.
Filtration, mechanical		Contained media, which traps suspended solids for physical removal.
Filtration, natural		Aquatic plants in ponds which absorb nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), collect silt and provide food to pond life.
Filtration, vegetable		Placement of select plants in a container, small pond or waterway prior to flowing into pond.
Flexible Liners		Various materials pliable enough to allow custom pond shaping.
GFI, GFCI		Ground Fault Interrupter, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. An electric safety device that interrupts power flow to a pump or other device in the event of a malfunction.
HPDE liner		High density polyethylene (a rigid preformed shell liner)
Hardy plants		Plants which have a cold tolerance, which meets, low temperature requirements for your area and return each year following dormancy.
Hypalon®		A chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber.
In Ground Pond		Top of pond is level with ground surface.
Marginal area		Outer edge of a pond, with varying water depths, generally less than 2 feet, or an area which periodically is flooded. Plants that like moist soils thrive in these conditions.
Nitrate		Less toxic by-product of nitrification, provides nutrients to plants.
Nitrite		Toxic by-product of fish excrement, decaying organic material.
Permalon®		12-ply cross grain polyethylene laminate
pH reading		Measurement of acidity, rated on a scale of 0-14. A pH of 7 is neutral with lower numbers representing increased acidity and higher numbers representing greater alkalinity
Pond aesthetics		Includes style, shape, size, of a pond in proportion to surrounding landscape.
Pond recirculation		A pond's entire volume should be turned over once every two-six hours. Maximum turn over should not exceed once per hour.
Pond shelves		A design element used when excavating a pond, incorporating an earthen shelf. Many preformed shells include this in the design. Shelves allow for plant placement at varying depths.
Pond styles		Formal, casual or informal, natural, oriental or any other theme.
Pond surface area		Length (in feet) x width (in feet) = surface area (sq. ft) This formula is used to determine fish stocking. Suggested rate is one (1) fish for each three (3) sq. ft. of surface area.
Pond volume		Total gallons of water in a pond. Length (in feet) x width (in feet) x depth (in feet) x 7.5. (Example: 5 ft. x 8 ft. x 2 ft. = 80 cu. ft x 7.5 = 600 gallons)
Preformed shell liner		High-density polyethylene and fiberglass, rigid pond designs.
Pump		Mechanical device to move water. Above ground, in line or submersible.
Pump Lift		Gallons of water (per hour) a pump will move based on the vertical distance in feet from the pump to the discharge height. Each 10 feet of horizontal distance equals one vertical foot.
PVC		Polyvinyl chloride. Only fish grade PVC should be used for ponds. PVC sheeting not specifically developed for pond use is subject to ultraviolet breakdown and release of toxins that may affect pond life.
Sediment		Decaying plant material, solid organic matter, silt and rock which settle to the pond bottom.
Suspended solids		Microscopic silt, algae, decaying organic matter undissolved. Generally is the cause of cloudy, non-clear water.Organic matter in water will cause a foaming, soap-like condition from aeration.
Tannic water		Water the color of weak tea, caused by decaying organic matter such as dead leaves.
Transitional zone		Area bordering pond planted to provide natural appearance.
Tropical plants		Plants that are not cold tolerant, grown as an annual.
UV Sterilizer		Water that is passed by an ultraviolet light that kills algae cells and some bacteria and parasites. Increases bioload.