The beauty of wild ponds fades with sunset. Luckily, you’ve got more control over your garden’s pond.
Not only will lights reveal your pond’s beauty to late visitors, but they’ll also prevent potential accidents. You’ll get to gather around the water, without the fear of slipping off its edge.
You can also use different light colors and angles to spotlight certain landscape features.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to light a pond with several methods. We’ll also highlight UV lights as lighting options and how to troubleshoot them.
4 Ways to Light a Pond
Lighting ponds is an art with its masters. However, no expert would know your pond’s best features more than you.
So, here’s how to choose the best lights for your pond.
1 – Submersible Pond Lights
Submersible pond lights are the most eye-catching option. They can spotlight features at the pond’s base, which you wouldn’t otherwise notice, even in daylight.
We’d recommend submersible lights if you’ve got attractive fish or waterfall features.
However, submersible lights are double-edged weapons. They’ll equally highlight algae and dirt at the base of your pond, so you’ll need to pay more attention to your filtration system.
Their other downside is complicated maintenance. Even the most reliable lights deteriorate in the long run because of water, algae, and moss.
Added to that, you can’t easily access them for maintenance. Luckily, if you insert the wires in conduits, this task can be much more manageable.
2 – Uplighting
Uplighting stresses your pond’s edges rather than its components. This option is particularly helpful if you’ve got restless children or pets running around.
It’ll make the edges clear so there’s less risk of falling in the pond. Besides safety, uplighting will add unique beauty to your garden.
It’s an excellent fit for showcasing reeds, tall grass, and trees around the pond. It’ll even make average trees look sculptural at night.
Additionally, you can get creative and incorporate uplighting with other garden lights, like those bordering the pathways.
When purchasing uplighting for your pond, it’s better to pick a model with a heavy base so they won’t tip easily.
3 – Downlighting
If you’re more of a naturalist, go for downlights. They’ll give a romantic moonlight effect, especially if they’re hung from a high point.
Try to hide them in a tree canopy, so that they blend with the natural setting. If you place them behind flowers or tree branches they’ll drop interesting shadows on the pond.
Downlights can also softly light benches or a dining area by the pond. Although they won’t reveal everything inside the pond, we prefer them over submersible lights because of their easy maintenance.
4 – Pond UV Lights
Pond UV lights help clear the water by fighting bacteria and algae. So, besides lighting your pond, these lights help clarify the water.
However, sometimes, they fail to do the job. For instance, UV lights only affect single-celled algae, so you’ll need a supporting filtering system to limit the growth of other algae types.
Why is My Pond UV Light Not Working?
Although pond UV lights are designed for longevity, they naturally degrade after a significant period of time. However, there are other common reasons behind malfunctioning UV lights.
When the lamp electrodes deteriorate, they produce shorter wavelengths. The quartz sleeve would absorb the shorter wavelengths, which leads to decreasing their intensity.
Similarly, if the quartz sleeve loses its transparency over time, it won’t transmit the UV light effectively, even if it has the right wavelength.
In all cases, try to exercise caution while inspecting the UV lights, as they might harm your eyes if you look at them directly.
How to Fix Pond UV Light
Your pond may not look as clear as it used to be when you first purchased the UV lights. However, this doesn’t always mean the UV lights have stopped working.
Here are some solutions to try for fixing pond UV lights.
1 – Clean the Lamp Sleeve
We’ve mentioned earlier that UV lamp sleeves are made from quartz. Over time, the sleeve can lose clarity as the pond’s debris accumulates on its surface.
In many cases, wiping the lamp sleeve can make a great difference in the clarity of the water pond.
If you realize that the sleeve has a foggy build-up, it can be caused by mineral deposits. To clear this white layer, use diluted vinegar or muriatic acid.
2 – Replace the Ballast
If the lamp gives no light and it hasn’t deteriorated, then it might be time to replace the ballast. Typically, ballasts get damaged because of power surges, caused by floods or lightning.
3 – Change Lamp Unit Size
Ultraviolet lamps have a rating that indicates the pond size and water flow they can handle. They may not work effectively if you install a faster pump, because they won’t keep up with the flow.
Similarly, if you significantly increase your pond’s size, you’ll need to purchase more UV lights.
4 – Replace UV Lamps
Finally, if all the above doesn’t apply, it might be time to replace your ultraviolet lights. They’re more likely to deteriorate if they’re past their guarantee period.
Final Thoughts
A garden pond requires filters, pumps, insulation, and ongoing care. So, your efforts are worth the spotlight at night.
We’ve discussed how to light a pond to give you more flexibility over the features you’d like to highlight.
If you prefer submersible lights, it might be a better idea to install UV lights instead. Although they’re an added luxury, they’ll surely relieve some of the filtration burdens.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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