Waterbodies are known to bring feelings of comfort and calmness. This is why most people add ponds to their gardens or backyards.
Moreover, a pond is a home for fish and different aquatic animals, so it will make your garden pop with vibrance and life.
Unfortunately, even with regular maintenance, the water might not be as clear as you want it to be. With the filtration system working, the pond’s water can still look murky, green, or even brown, so it won’t be attractive.
Luckily, there’s a fast and potent way to enhance the look of your pond, and the best thing about it is that it’s safe for fish and aquatic wildlife forms living in it. So, if you want to know how to make pond dye, keep reading.
What is Pond Dye?
Pond dye is a safe coloring that can be added to your pond to transform or restore its color.
The water in the pond might be an unattractive shade of brown or green because of the fish and plants growing in it. This coloring can make the water look more blue, so it will add beauty to your landscape.
The discolored water is safe for your fish and aquatic animals, but it might not fit with the aesthetics of your landscape design.
Adding a safe coloring agent can transform the look of your pond and make it pop with color.
Pond dyes are commercially available in liquid forms and dry packets with simple application instructions. Most of these formulas are concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Does Pond Dye Work?
Pond dyes are added to make your pond more appealing and also keep it in great condition. Here are some of their benefits.
- A pond dye will change the color of your pond water. You can pick any color to fit the aesthetics of your landscape design or simply go for a neutral shade of blue to enhance the natural look of the pond.
- Pond dyes act as a UV screen, blocking some of the UV rays that promote the growth of algae and submerged weeds. This will help keep the water clear and healthy.
- With continuous use, the pond dye will reduce the need for applying chemicals that control algae growth. In addition, since pond dyes are safer, your fish will be in better condition.
- The different colors of pond dyes can help conceal the fish in the water, thus protecting them from predators by making them difficult to see.
- Pond dyes help cool the water by acting like a screen that blocks the heat from the sun.
- Pond dyes are made of food-grade materials, so the water is safe for swimming, irrigation, and all types of other activities. In addition, the dyes won’t affect the birds, bugs, and pets that get in contact with the water.
What are the Different Pond Dye Colors?
Pond dyes are available in multiple colors. All of them can provide the same benefits and protect your pond in the same way.
However, people choose these colors based on their personal preferences, as some can enhance the beauty of the other elements in the garden and the colors of plants and flowers.
Moreover, some pond dye colors are suitable for specific environments, so you need to consider this before picking the color to add.
Bright blue, dark blue, and aqua blue pond dyes are the most common choices because they enhance the natural beauty of water. Bright blue is the most subtle one, while aqua blue is more suitable for creating a tropical effect.
Black pond dye will enhance the look of colorful fish like koi and goldfish, creating a mirrored surface that reflects nearby structures, trees, and other hardscape elements. Moreover, the black creates a potent UV screen to block most of the sun’s rays.
Red pond dye isn’t that common but can be used for special occasions. You can mix red and blue for a unique purple shade if you want your pond to look different.
How to Make Pond Dye
Pond dye is essentially just food coloring that you can add to pond water. Even though this may seem like an easy thing to DIY, it is much more cost effective to purchase it rather than make it.
It is sold in a concentrated form and is pretty easy to apply. Here’s how to make it work.
- Wear protective gloves and clothes because concentrated pond dyes can stain your skin and are pretty hard to remove.
- Make sure that you stay away from the edges and head to the middle of the pond.
- Pick the deepest part of the pond and pour some of the concentrated dye.
- Start with less than the recommended amount to see how the color turns out.
- Try to spread it over several areas.
- Wait for a few hours and see how the water will look.
- Add more dye if necessary.
When To Dye a Pond
Pond dye is perfectly safe, and you can add it any time of the year. You can also reapply it as necessary.
But if you’re using it for the first time, then it’s best to use pond dye in springtime.
Pond dye can prevent the growth of algae and keep it under control. So, it’s best to use it in spring when algae are actively growing.
The dye will block some of the sun’s rays, thus controlling algae growth in the pond and making it healthier. If there’s an algae problem, you might want to use pond dye with a special algicide.
How Long Does Pond Dye Last?
A pond dye can last between six and eight weeks, depending on its concentration. This dye is made of organic food-grade components, so it breaks with time and doesn’t linger in the water.
After this period, you can reapply the dye to restore the color of the pond.
However, some people choose to add more color after a short period if they don’t get the right shade.
Will Pond Dye Stain Rocks?
Pond dyes are made of non-toxic and non-staining organic materials that don’t affect the fish in the water. These dyes won’t stain the rocks or any water features.
They just make your pond look more attractive and can help keep the water healthier for your aquatic animals.
Final Thoughts
Adding a pond dye is an excellent way to enhance the look of a pond in your garden.
These dyes are available in liquid and dry forms, and you can simply add them to the water and wait until the color spreads.
They have a lot of benefits, as they can protect the fish, keep the water cool, and limit algae growth.
And the best part is that they last for almost two months, and you can reapply the dye whenever you want.
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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