Well, the pond project is coming along, slowly, but surely. As I left off in Part 1, I was going to clean out the weeds and add some pond dye color. The reason for the pond dye addition is twofold.

The first reason is it just looks amazing. There are several ponds in my area that have added dye and it gives the water a beautiful color. I didn’t even know there was a choice of colors which range from turquoise all the way to midnight black. The latter is for ultimate reflection. Below, once again is the pond before any dye. This is usually the state of the pond after the winter thaw.  The clay usually takes a short time to settle, so the water is not usually this muddy looking. Regardless, it has no life.

Pond Before Dye Trellis View

Pond Before Clean Up

The second reason for the dye is in the hopes of it blocking some of the sunlight and inhibiting the growth of a massive amount of weeds, which I just worked to get rid of. They are not all completely gone, but I did manage to get the majority of the bigger plants out of the pond.

There are different pond dye colors available, but I purchased the twilight blue one-quart bottle from Dr’s Foster and Smith for $21.99. This one-quart bottle is good for two treatments of a one acre pond about 4-6 feet deep.  I am not sure of the size of my pond, but this bottle should last me for one full season – Spring through Winter.

My first bottle will probably not be sufficient for more than two applications this year, because I am using slightly more than recommended.  I wanted the water to be slightly deeper in color and also to block the sun. I also chose this particular dye because it is safe for animals. I have a pond full of frogs and salamander and I’m not trying to kill them off. In fact the frogs are starting to think of me as one of their own. They come swimming over to me and just stare at me every time I get close to the pond.

Pond After Dye Red Maple View

Pond After Dye Towards House View

Pond After Dye Far Jeti View (1)

My Crazy Pond Project

Once I added the dye, there was an amazing transformation. The reflection off the pond was like nothing I’ve seen before. It was very close to a midnight black, but after it settled in it took on a really dark blue color.

The cool part is whenever I get in the pond to do maintenance, I stir up the clay on the bottom and it turns the water a lovely turquoise, so it’s like having two colors in one. Rain will also dilute the color after a while, so I expect a reapplication before the season is over.

As you can see from the photos, I did manage to get a good clean up going, but there is a lot more to do.  For the most part the weed and trash issue is under control, but will need continual maintenance, which is expected.

Next project on the list is installing a fountain! I have always wanted a fountain, but this is something I am going to have to do myself, as paying someone to do it is proving way out of my price range.

I plan to buy a pump, a fountain head, and a pump box, all of which will probably cost around $100.  I will probably even show you how I installed the fountain – complete with video – so make sure you come back and check it out.

Have you used dye in a pond? What results did you have. Come on. . .share!