Oxygenators

Most important plant group

Oxygenators are usually fairly inconspicuous, but they may be the most important plant group in a pond. Here’s why:

• Oxygenators purify the water
• They consume nutrients from the water
• They bring oxygen into the water
• In warm weather you can often see the bubbles rising from the leaves. That oxygen is vital in order for the conversion processes in the pond to function healthily.

What to do with oxygenators:

• The most common varieties, such as water weed and hornwort, can be thrown straight into the pond.
• They are usually sold in a clump in a cup. Reckon on four to five clumps per square metre of water area.
• Such clumps are often already weighted in order to prevent the plants from floating at the surface. If the weight provided is made of lead, it is a good idea to replace it with a stone, since lead is not really good for the pond.
• Other types of plant or oxygenator sometimes need to be planted in soil.