Driftwood is amazing! Not only is it fascinating in the natural world, but it can also be used as a decorative element inside the home, especially when it is repurposed in accordance with beautiful arts and crafts concepts.
Now, here comes ponds that can be enhanced through decorative objects. Does wood or driftwood count as one of the decorative elements for your pond?
This article will explain, keep reading.
Can You Put Wood in the Pond?
The most popular types of wood used in freshwater ponds are small pieces of logs, gravel, and Mopani wood. You can buy these materials at a pet or aquarium store.
However, all types of wood you have ready must be prepared for use by soaking to reduce the release of tannins in the water. Tannins are the naturally occurring chemicals in the wood when immersed in water.
Terraces, decks and jetties offer attractive seating and lounging areas around your pond, as people love staying by the water as close as possible. Wood is suitable for this because it is an ideal material for building on the water. Wood is a product of nature and its possible uses are extremely diverse.
Can I Put Wood in My Koi Pond?
No. A koi pond must never have driftwood added to it under any circumstances. There is a considerable potential that parasites will build their home in your filter, pipes, or pump even if you do not experience any problems with obstructions in those areas.
Driftwood will only be an option to consider if there are no suitable alternatives and you need plants or wood for the habitat of your pond.
It will deteriorate over time, just like the plants and wood in your pond, but it will also contribute to the cycle of decomposing organic matter. These can result in unpleasant odors, an increase in the accumulation of sludge, and dirty water that won’t favor the health of your fish.
In addition to boards and branches, which will decay and clog up the machinery, other objects should be avoided. Driftwood is useful to fishermen because it offers a perfect environment for them to conceal themselves.
It’s best to consult with a local pond specialist or perform your research before deciding on which wood option to go with.
How Deep Should a Pond be to Prevent Algae?
The appropriate building of your pond is yet another vital factor that you must not ignore because it plays an extremely significant role in the process of generating high-quality water within your pond.
Also, to prevent algae the deep zone needs to be at least one meter deep and must cover at least forty percent of the pond’s surface area. If the pond is a water garden, the deep zone needs to be at least sixty centimeters deep according to recommendations.
A gentle slope that leads to the deepest level makes it possible to remove tailings from the pond with ease, and it is possible to remove up to 85 percent of the tailings before they sink.
You need to construct your pond in such a way that the rainwater that runs off of your garden does not flow in the same direction as the water in your pond to avoid contamination.
This means that the slopes in your garden that are designed to divert rainwater should never face the same way as the water in your pond, as this is one of the most common factors that lead to algae blooms.
It is important to keep in mind that ponds constructed out of limestone or marble have a propensity to have a little higher pH, which might lead to the growth of more algae.
Can You Put Branches Into the Pond?
Boards and branches are not suitable since they will cause the equipment to degrade and become jammed if they are used. The twigs, roots, and branches of driftwood are wonderful to use since they offer the fish a natural habitat in which to conceal themselves.
Can I Put Stumps in My Pond?
Yes.
You haven’t done any havoc to your pond if you do this, just make sure the sharp ends have been cut to avoid injuring the fish. However, it provides shelter for the fish from the sun, birds, and cold.
Types of Woods You Can Use in the Pond
The different types of wood are part of the daily life of many people. There are several pieces used indoors and outdoors, in decorative places, stairs, furniture, and other various useful places.
Some characteristics of wood make some species more or less suitable, depending on the place where it will be applied.
And in the next few paragraphs, we are going to talk about a feature of wood that can be very useful for outdoor environments in humid environments, we are talking about water-resistant wood.
Water-resistant wood is characterized by high resistance in contact with humid environments, that is, wood has a natural characteristic of high durability even in direct contact with water.
A very important characteristic to look out for when looking for water-resistant wood is the density of the wood.
The denser the wood, the lower the penetration of moisture, thus conserving the physical, mechanical and decorative properties of the wood.
Below is the list of some species of water-resistant wood that is ideal for environments that will have high contact with water and humidity:
1. Ipe wood: Ipê wood is the first on our list being the main wood reference when it comes to moisture resistance. It also has high weather resistance and high durability.
It is not by chance that Ipê in Tupi means “hard shell”. Ipê wood can be used for the most varied types of projects given its resistance and versatile characteristics for the most varied types of environments.
2. Cumaru wood: Cumaru wood has characteristics very similar to ipe wood. It is characterized by its great durability and weather resistance, that is, places with high exposure to different weather conditions.
This type of wood has high density and without any type of treatment, it is already characterized as a great option for humid environments or that will have direct contact with water.
3. Peroba Rosa wood: Peroba Rosa is another noble wood that can be used in environments with humidity. Unlike Ipê and Cumaru, this wood has a unique and very beautiful tone with lighter, pink and orange tones. It has high density, excellent weather resistance, and excellent durability.
Peroba Rosa is also widely used to build furniture for outdoor environments such as tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, doors, etc.
4. Tatajuba wood: Tatajuba is the wood from the tree with the scientific name Bagassa guianensis, which can reach 15 to 25 meters in height. It has a very high natural durability and can be treated to further enhance its durability in contact with moisture.
It is a wood with a heavy density of around 830 kg/m³, mostly used in outdoor environments, it has a high gloss on the surfaces and a medium texture.
5. Teak wood: Despite a lower market demand, teak wood is a great water-resistant wood choice.
Another very typical and attractive feature of teak wood is that it is a material with high resistance to attack by pests such as termites and other insects.
Water-resistant wood can have its characteristics even more enhanced according to the finish given to it. Appropriate finishes can ensure that the wood takes even longer to start showing deformities due to the weather to which it is exposed.
It is important to note that even woods that are not in direct contact with water, such as those that makeup decking, can suffer from occasional accidents that include spills.
So when choosing your preferred wood, always check with the supplier the transport characteristics, necessary treatments, drying of the material, and especially the origin of the extraction of this wood.
How to Build a Raised Pond With Wood?
Wooden ponds are easy to set up since the tongue and groove of the pressure-treated wood fit together well.
Here are a few steps to take to build a raised pond with wood:
1. Before you take your pond apart, you need to make sure that the boards are in the right order. The same board profiles are used for all sizes of beds. Only the length changes.
The board is split into four parts:
- Tongue on half a plate.
- Half-board with groove.
- Tongue-and-groove.
- Full board with flat grooves.
2. For the gable end of the pond, put a half-board tongue-up; this is the start of building.
3. Using tongue-and-groove boards, hammer the side pieces to the ends with the tongue pointing up. Protect the tongue profile with a piece of wood.
4. If you’re working on gravel, put one of the side boards under the board you’re pounding. Add the other gable end, and then place the tongue in each groove as you move around the bed.
5. Save the boards with smooth edges (no tongue) for the last (four per bed). They will make the last layer and be flush with the top.
Even though the process is easy and quick, the wood has to be hammered in. The bed is strong and stiff because of how well it fits together.
6. To finish the pond, add four planks with smooth edges and no tongues and hammer them down.
Conclusion
Hardwood species should be used for waterfront structures whenever possible. The higher price of these woods compared to softwoods ensures the stability and longevity of the structure.