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Spring Pond Maintenance

Spring Pond Maintenance

Posted by Dan on Aug 7th 2018

Learn how to get your pond ready for spring with the few tips and best practices for pond maintenance from the experts at Underwater Warehouse. This article provides a list of all the pond supplies we use during our spring pond clean-outs.

Spring is simply the most exciting time of year. As things slowly awaken from their winter hibernation, there are some things that you can do to make sure your water feature gets off to a good start this spring.

Does your pond need a full clean-out this season or does it just need a partial clean-out?

Is there is a heavy buildup of layer debris at the bottom of the pond and the water is dark in color, it would be a good idea to do a full clean-out. If there is just a small amount of debris that you can stir up and capture with a net and the water looks clear a partial clean-out should be enough. Full clean-outs require a half day to a full day to complete.

The best time to perform a pond clean-out is the early spring before the water temperature in the pond creeps above 55º F. If a clean-out is performed when the water is warmer, after bacteria colonies form, the balance of the ecosystem will again be thrown off and your pond will go through another “green phase” before the bacteria colonies re-establish themselves again.

Spring Pond Maintenance

Here’s is a list of items you will need to get started:

Additional Items are required for a FULL Pond clean-out:

Optional:

Spring Pond Maintenance

Steps in Performing a Partial Pond Clean-Out

  • Use a skimmer net to remove any debris on the pond’s surface. Try to scoop out all the leaves, branches, and twigs floating on the surface.
  • Place the clean-out pump at the bottom of the pond. We commend placing a Pump Screens/ bag around the pump to prevent clogging. Drain 20-40% of pond water.
  • Examine fish for parasites, ulcers or other amoralities.
  • Remove organic debris from pond and streams.
  • Cutback and fertilize pond plants
  • Add pond Chlorine Remover and Re-fill the pond.

While Pond is refilling:

  • Clean filters boxes; pads and nets (replace if needed).
  • Inspect underwater lights. Replace bulbs or broken fixtures.
  • Perform maintenance on pump. Inspect and clean off any debris.

Once Pond is filled:

  • Plug in the pump and check for leaks in the stream(s) and pond edges.
  • Add Pond Bacteria and water clarifier.

Spring Pond Maintenance

Steps in Performing a Full Pond Clean-out:

  • Use a skimmer net to remove any debris on the pond’s surface. Try to scoop out all the leaves, branches, and twigs floating on the surface. This will make draining and cleaning the pond easier.
  • Place the clean-out pump halfway in the water. This can be done by placing the pump on the pond shelf or a plastic crate. The purpose of placing the pump on the pond shelf/ crate is to pump the “cleaner” water into the fish holding tank and to save some of the water.
  • Drain ¾ of pond water to make it easier to catch fish.
  • Don’t keep the fish in the holding pool for more than several hours. Keep them in a shady area with a net over the top of the pool to prevent them from jumping out.
  • Place the clean-out pump in the deepest part of the pond in order to remove the rest of the water. We commend placing a Pump Screens/ bag around the pump to prevent clogging.
  • Drain the rest of the water into the surrounding landscape. Be sure to relocate the pipe two or three times to allow the water to seep into the ground and not flood the yard.
  • Use the gentle stream from a garden hose to rinse the rocks and gravel. Start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. Periodically turn the clean-out pump on to remove the dirty water. You can discontinue the periodic pumping once the water rinsing down to the bottom begins to look clear. For an average size pond (11′ x 16′), rinsing should take around 20 minutes.
  • Sprinkle rocks generously with Algae-Off or Green Clean to loosen debris gentle apply a mist of water. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes before completely hosing off.
  • Let the sun dry the empty pond for one hour. Once you have emptied out the pond, you can take a one hour break and let the sun dry out any newly exposed algae in the pond. This will make it easier for you to get rid of debris and algae once you actually wash out the pond
  • Remove the clean-out pump and begin filling the pond with the hose.
  • At this time we also place the clean-put pump in the fish holding tank and pump the saved water back into the pond. You must leave enough water in tank for the fish to swim around while the pond is still filling up from the hose.

Spring Pond Maintenance

While Pond is refilling:

  • Drain and clean filters boxes; pads and nets (replace if needed).
  • Cutback and fertilize pond plants
  • Inspect underwater lights. Replace bulbs or broken fixtures.
  • Perform maintenance on pump. Inspect and clean off any debris.

Once Pond is filled:

  • Plug in the pump. If you own a skimmer you will have to wait until the water line is ¼ way above the skimmer opening to turn on the pump.
  • Add Pond De-chlorinator, bacteria and pond clarifier.
  • We let the pump run for an hour before adding the fish. At this time we clean up the equipment (pressure washer, water treatments, vacuum etc.) and inspect and repair pond & stream edges.
  • Inspect fish for parasites, ulcers or other amoralities.
  • Re-introduce fish; acclimating slowly to new water environment.

Spring Pond Maintenance

Routine pond maintenance is doing simple things routinely throughout the year:

  • Rinse the pond gravel to dislodge debris/detritus into the pond water before it has a chance to build up.
  • Use a pond vacuum to remove debris.
  • Empty the pond skimmer several times per week
  • Backwash the biofilter several times per month
  • Remove trapped debris from the pond, waterfalls, and streams whenever something is visible
  • Trim aquatic plants as needed

Doing these steps throughout the year will keep your pond clean and fresh all year long and thus eliminating the need for a total disruptive pond cleanout. Your pond will be more attractive and your fish will be happier and healthier.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

  • Email: sales@underwaterwarehouse
  • Phone: 215-244-4300