Garden & Pond Top Tips

Control Weeds This is the one pond problem everyone has to face. There are five kinds of aquatic plants-algae, floating, emergent (foliage above the water), submersed (most of the plant is under water) and floating leaved. Some plants are desirable. Plankton algae is a source of food and oxygen. Filamentous algae is that green slime draped over your hook. (It's not good.) There's a tipping point when weeds begin to take over a pond, says Ian Menzies, business manager for Imas Aquatic & Garden Services. The pond has to be constructed carefully, or in a short time "you get a wetland," notes Menzies. IMAS sells a line of aquatic products to manage nuisance and exotic weeds and algae.

At imas we are garden pond and aquatic specialists in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire and a wealth of experience in garden pond construction, maintenance, problem solving and servicing gained by designing and maintaining well over a hundred water gardens.

Booth, Markyate

Thanks again for your advice and for the great job you and Darren did on cleaning out the pond last Friday. You provided a professional, friendly and helpful service and we are very pleased with the result. We will keep checking your website for tips and may well want to contact you for advice as things come up with the pond.


Sweetman, Langford.

We have just got back from our weekend away and I was going to mail you anyway to say a very big "Thank You" - we think you've done a fantastic job with the pond and it's great to see the fish again!

The water's very clear and the fish seem happy.

Will you keep in touch and let us know if you have any further ideas for developing the pond?

Thanks once again Ian - I hope you've enjoyed the sunshine this weekend!


Whitehill Junior School - Mrs F Bradshaw - Hitchin

Our pond was part of a wider development of a nature area in school.

We received a grant to help us with the cost but would have found the means somehow as it is such a fabulous resource for the children.

We researched suppliers and installers over a long period of time prior to beginning the project and Ian came highly recommended.

I cannot praise his approach highly enough. We needed to work with the supplier to create something that was natural, aesthetic, safe and easy care but crucially that would provide high quality space for the children to learn.

Ian helped us achieve all those things and has proved ready and willing to offer ongoing support and advice as well as showing real concern that we continue to be happy with the work.

If you are considering a wildlife project you are more than welcome to come and look at ours. I recommend Ian unreservedly.


M Macknight - Stotfold

If my fish could speak I'm sure they'd be saying "Thank god, at long last she's found someone who knows what we want!"


J M Thomson - Letchworth Garden City

Thank you very much for your prompt attention to these jobs. I shall be in touch in the autumn with a view to you "putting the pond to bed" for the winter.


S Mason - Old Warden

We're absolutely delighted with the pond and have received lots of compliments from friends & family. You'll be glad to know that the water is still clear and the fish alive!


J Thomson - Letchworth Garden City

Thank you for your thorough and efficient job. The pond is settling down well and the fish are flourishing. I'm treating it (preventativily) for blanket weed and feel sure it will be looking good for the Open Gardens Day.


J Trussler - Harpenden

Thank you for your advice regarding pond balance. I will set off to buy some this afternoon. The pond is crystal clear and the fish are lively, so many thanks. I look forward to receiving your letter regarding maintenance visits etc.


G - Harpenden

Thanks again for all your help! We love our pond (& so do the fish!).


J & L Peck - Harpenden

Thank you for caring for our beautiful pond. I believe you left behind your rake.


P & K Martin - Harpenden

I'd just like to say a big thank you for all your help and input, just brilliant.


M Popham

The pond is SUPERB mate, they love it and it really gives them pleasure sitting next to it every evening and watching the fish. Thank you again for such a brilliant and thorough job.


Maureen Leman - Sawbridgeworth

I have been meaning to contact you to say how delighted we are with the work you did on our pond. The new planting has settled and growing well and it has all been much admired by our visitors. I would be pleased to write something (a testimonial )for your website if you'd like me to.
Perhaps you can advise me on another matter. I am having difficulty finding tiny floating plants. I remember that you said fairy moss wasn't sold now but wonder if you could suggest something similar. The aquatic centres round here aren't all that great; could you recommend somewhere with a more extensive selection? Is there somewhere over your way? I have given your contact details to several friends and colleagues over this way so hopefully those recommendations may result in lots of work for you.


Andre Dang - Warboys

Thanks for your phone call.

We’d both like to say how impressed we were with the end result, as well as the standard of work you’ve done throughout the project.

Thank you for everything, and we have no hesitation in recommending you!

If you’d like any of the photos I took during the build, please let me know.  Additionally, should you wish to ever come back and do some photography, you’d be more than welcome to.


Bill Kerridge - Campus Manager - Sandringham School St Albans

Just a short note to say thank you and how delighted we are with the ponds. Hopefully the whole area will developed into a real “nature reserve” and act as a stimulus to our students to understand another aspect of their environment.

Although I am retiring I will be popping back to the school occasionally and will always have a look at the “development”  by the tennis courts.


Carol - Stoke Poges

I'm sure you are interested ...   Just a note to tell you that I have NOT lost any fish, the baby fish are thriving, the pond looks beautiful and clear!

I'm a happy customer!


Kiren - Langford

Brilliant Ian - once again  you've worked your magic and we're very pleased with what you've done.
Let us have an invoice when you're ready and we will settle immediately.


Sanjay  - Goffs Oak

Thank you very much for the hard work and effort that you and your team provided. You did a thorough and efficient job. We are very happy with the final outcome and I am sure it will give us great pleasure sitting outside in the garden.

The filter has kept the pond clear and I am hoping to put some plants and fish in there this week.


Janet Southwell - Luton

Thanks for your letter, which,as always I enjoyed reading.
I am  actually moving to Wootten in about two weeks time. The man who has bought my house says he will continue with the pond. I shall leave him all the instruction booklets etc, together with your contact details so I shall leave it up to him whether he continues with you or not.
Meanwhile I can't thank you enough for looking after my pond these last few years and I wish you every success in the future.