Decorative Urn Biofilters
The Hughes Water Gardens staff have developed a decorative urn biofilter which is both attractive and functional.
 How it works
The plants, along with the beneficial bacteria that colonize the surface of the rocks in the urn, break down the excess nutrients in your pond. The water quality will be improved and algae will have less chance to get established.
How you can get one
Hughes has decorative biofilter urns premade in different styles and sizes for you to choose from. Or you can bring in your own urn and we can retrofit it for you.
Note: Decoritive urn biofilters are meant for small ponds or as a supplemental unit rather than a main source of filtration.
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Beth's Biofilters
Beth Ward - a long time customer, koi enthusiast and artist - has come up with these wonderful ceramic biofilters. Each one is charming and unique along with being functional.
They work along the same principle as the above urn biofilter. The inside is filled with bio-media - in this case pieces of broken clay - the beneficial bacteria colonize and break down the excess nutrients in the water as it flows through the filter.
These filter are available after April 5th. A limited quantity is available.
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Water Lettuce & Water Hyacinth
Water Lettuce
Pistia stratoides
Zones 9 - 11
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Zones 9 - 11
Each spring at Hughes Water Gardens,
customers wait with great anticipation for the arrival of Water Lettuce (Pista stratoides) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). They generally arrive in late April or early May, depending on spring water temps.
Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinth are free floating tropical plants that are the most effective of all water plants for removing excess nutrients.
Excess nutrients in a pond promote algae growth, Many of our customers use these plants as their only filter system. Their long trailing roots absorb nutrients directly from pond water and help create a balanced water system. Water Hyacinth (rarely in Oregon) can produce showy lavender flowers that last one day. Both also provide good cover for fish.
Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce are tropical plants and are treated as annuals in this area. This is a good thing, because they can be invasive in tropical regions covering a pond surface in one season. They can be placed in the pond once the water temperature has reached 60 degrees. When the season is over and the first frost comes (in the Portland area usually around Nov. 1st), remove them from the pond and compost them.
Hughes should have both Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinth for sale soon.
for more on water plants click here |
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Pond Plant of the Month
Water Forget-Me-Nots
Myosotis
We all remember the "Forget me-Nots" in our Grandparent's gardens. There are both wetland and dry land varieties of Forget-Me-Nots. Interestingly, the wetland and dryland Forget-me-Nots look very similar. However they are not interchangeable and it's hard to distinguish between them unless you are a botanist.
The Wetland "Forget me Nots" grow beautifully on the edge of a pond, in a stream or on the rocks of a waterfall. They like moist soil (as long as it never dries out) and can take up to 3" of water over the crown of the plant. They also handle moving water well. It's a good water filtration plant and will help reduce the occurrence of green algae in the pond.
Forget-Me-Nots form a dense matt of clear green hairy leaves with many small (1/4") flat 5 petaled flowers in a variety of colors from white, pink, light blue to bright blue. The plant grows to 6 inches tall and has a 12 inch spread. They thrive in light shade. Pinch them back when they get leggy to promote bushiness. In very hot weather the leaves may turn crispy. Just cut them back and they will resprout in cooler weather. They do freely reseed and naturalize.
For more on water plants click here
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Tetra Pressure Filters
Hughes Water Gardens Introduces our expanded line of Tetra Pressure Filters.
In 2008 Hughes Water Gardens started selling the Tetra Pressure Filters with a UV clarifier built in. This year we have expanded the line to include the Tetra Pressure Filters without UV lights. 
Benefits of the Tetra Pressure Filter
- Unique open profile bio-media design provides unrestricted water flow to all surfaces for improved cleaning.
- A large active surface for beneficial bacteria.
- Back flushes in under 2 minutes. No need to shut off pump. Keep your hands and clothing clean.
- Provides mechanical and biological filtration.
- 3 sizes available without UV clarifier
- Built to last - robust construction with 2 year limited warranty.
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New Product
Decorative Column Rock
 Used for pondless features as well as an accent for ponds and waterfalls.
-Looks natural
-Lightweight
-Made of concrete
-Wire reinforced
 -Comes in many sizes to suit your
needs.
-Easy to install.
-Not made from a mold - each one is different.
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Our mailing address
25289 SW Stafford Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062
Monday - Saturday
9 to 6
Sunday
10 to 5
Copyright (C) 2009 Hughes Water Gardens.
All right reserved. |
