Do aquatic plants really make much of a difference in keeping the water in my pond clear?
The answer to this question often causes confusion for many water gardeners. Simply put, the presence of aquatic plants in a pond or water garden is no guarantee that the water will be crystal clear. If you have excellent mechanical and biological filtration, are meticulous with your maintenance schedule, incorporate a UV light or other algae control program, limit the number of fish and monitor and maintain a proper pH level, then you most likely will experience a high level of water clarity without aquatic plants. However, few water gardens and ponds exist where all the above mentioned factors are maximized properly. Aquatic plants help to make up for any compromises tjat have to be made. For instance, by using floating plants the amount of sunlight can be limited thus helping to maintain water temperatures and limit algae growth in ponds that are located in areas that receive full sun all day long. So just having aquatic plants in your pond won’t ensure crystal clear water but by in
