There are two schools of thought when it comes to including rocks and gravel in your pond. Some believe that rocks and gravel will only contribute to the heavy debris load on the bottom, making it a slimy, smelly mess. Others, who have actually had rock and gravel, know that this is not the case. You see, rocks and gravel offer a natural place for the aerobic bacteria that breaks down the fish waste and collected debris to colonize to set up housekeeping, actually reducing the amount of muck. The muck that gathers on the bottom of a rock-free pond can gather in on a rock and gravel pond bottom, but the bacteria is there to fight it. A rock and gravel pond also keeps the bottom of your water garden from being slippery due to nature’s debris build-up.
We like to think of it this way … rocks and gravel on the bottom of your pond actually allows Mother Nature to clean up after herself, saving you hours of headaches and work trying to keep your pond bottom muck free. With rocks and gravel, a simple, 15-minute rinse down during your spring clean-out will remove any excess debris. After all, have you ever seen a natural pond or stream that’s free of rocks and gravel? Nope. So why design your own backyard paradise any other way?
