The spring is the best season to take care of a pond as days become longer and warmer. A comprehensive clean-out will help avoid algae blooms and maintain a healthy and dynamic ecosystem, which will keep the water feature healthy and attractive all season.
Some who may not be so interested in the hands-on method can hire a professional such as That Pond Guy, which specializes in professional care and maintenance of ponds, and relax and watch the outcome. They may even suggest the appropriate equipment, such as a powerful pond hoover, to continue the maintenance.
Deciding on the Depth of Your Clean
Start with an evaluation of the state of your pond. If the water is crystal clear with very little debris that can be easily captured by netting, then a simple tidy-up suffices.
But when there is a thick layer of sludge and dark water, then a complete clean-out is required. Plan this early in spring, before the water gets too warm (above 55 degrees Fahrenheit), to avoid destroying beneficial bacteria that keep nature in balance in your pond.
Gathering Your Gear
You may want to get your equipment prepared before you begin.
You will need:
- A clean-out pump with a long discharge hose.
- A high-pressure nozzle for your garden hose.
- A child’s swimming pool to temporarily hold your fish.
- A net for the holding pool and a fish net.
- Pond detoxifier to treat tap water and beneficial bacteria to restart the ecosystem.
- Garden shears for trimming plants and buckets for debris.
The Step-by-Step Clean-Out Process
Start by putting the pump in the lowest position possible to push the water into your landscape, moving the hose to prevent flooding. Once the water is low enough, carefully net your fish and place them in the holding pool filled with some of the old pond water. Keep them in a shady, covered spot and don’t keep them there for more than a few hours.
When the pond is empty, lightly hose down or pressure wash the inside. The idea is not to cleanse it completely of algae; a smattering of it helps. Work from the top down, periodically pumping out the dirty water until it runs clear. This is also a great time to divide or fertilize your hardy water plants.
Don’t Forget the Filters
A crucial part of the process is cleaning your filtration system. Remove debris from the bottom of the skimmer by hand or with the pump. In your biological filter, take out the media nets and filter pads and give them a thorough rinse to remove all the accumulated gunk before putting them back in place.
Welcoming Your Fish Home
After refilling your pond with fresh water, add a detoxifier to eliminate harmful chlorine and chloramines. Acclimate your fish by placing them in a bucket of their old water set inside the pond.
After 15 minutes, add pond water to the bucket a little at a time, and release the fish then. And lastly, add cold water that contains good bacteria to get filtration going again and keep a healthy pond that is clear.
