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While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:

• River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. 

• These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. 

• River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. 

• Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.

Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.

Yes, natural pools can get algae since they use the same filtration processes as lakes or streams. However, you can reduce the risk of algae by adding more algae-fighting plants and not installing your natural swimming pool in direct sunlight, as it promotes algae growth.

To maintain your pond, you’ll need to occasionally clean your backyard pond, especially if you have koi fish. Test the water twice a week to make sure your fish have everything they need and always remove visible debris.

Koi fish should be in the shade and can’t be directly exposed to the sun. Consider building your koi pond in a shaded spot or hanging an awning over the top to control the amount of sunlight coming in. Learn how to design a landscape properly.