To Add Rocks or Not To Add Rocks, That is the Question.
PondsMany pond owners like the look of rocks lining the bottom of a pond, however are they really a good idea?
Most pond builders and maintenance professionals would probably advise against lining the bottom of a pond with rocks. Rocks at the bottom of the pond provide cracks and pockets where waste can accumulate and not be filtered out or broken down by beneficial bacteria. Over time this waste can contribute to foul odors, oxygen depletion, ammonia and nitrite production and even algae blooms. Plus, since fish spend there time swimming, they really dont miss them if they arent there. Most pond owners also think they need them to hold the liner down, when not realizing that the weight of the water when the pond is filled will take care of that problem.
This is not to say you cant line your pond with rocks if you want to, but be prepared to spend more maintenance time keeping them clean. If pond rocks are a desired aesthetic, try using them in the shallow edges of the pond or in the bottom of streams. This application makes the stones more visible and less likely to create problems.