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Spring Start-Up For Your Pond

As the warmer weather approaches, and the snow begins to melt, spring returns to your garden and your pond. To prepare for the new season, the clean-out of your pond can be started once the ice is no longer covering the pond's surface, and before your pond awakens completely from its winter dormancy.

Ideally, the best time to perform your clean-out is before the water temperature rises above 55°F. While the water remains below 55°F, the beneficial bacteria that grow in your filter and on your rocks will not be established yet.

Once the bacteria colonies begin to form, performing a dramatic clean-up can throw your pond's ecosystem out of balance, thus producing a "green phase" before your ecosystem re-establishes itself. Pond clean-outs should be started and finished on the same day. This prevents any unnecessary stress for your fish and any other aquatic life your pond houses.

Cleaning

The most important task in preparing your pond for the new season is eliminating any organic debris which may have collected over the winter. This may be done by performing either a partial or full clean-out of your pond.


Partial Clean-Out:

A partial clean-out may be completed if your pond does not have a heavy fish load, excessive debris, algae build-up, or was installed late in the fall. To perform a partial clean-out of your pond, start by using a pond net or skimmer to remove leaves, twigs and other debris from inside the pond. Next, complete a 25-50% water change. Don't forget to condition the new water as you refill the pond.

Full Clean-Out:

A full clean-out should be completed on ponds that have a heavy fish load, accumulated leaf and debris build-up through the winter, or have heavy algae growth. Full clean-outs should only be completed once a year.

Pumping Out the Water

The first step of the clean-out is to pump out the pond using a submersible pump (you can use your waterfall pump) and discharge hose. Wait until a good portion of water is removed from the pond before attempting to catch the fish. The fish will be much easier to net once the water level has dropped. Place the fish in large buckets or containers filled with pond water. Make sure you cover the buckets so the fish don't jump out. Continue pumping out the pond once all of the fish are removed.

Washing the Stones

The submersible pump and discharge hose should remain at the bottom of you pond to continuously pump out the dirty water. A high-pressure nozzle on your garden hose should be used to clean debris off the rocks. Don't try to scrub all the algae away. Some algae growth is beneficial to your pond ecosystem.

For an average pond (11' x 16') this hose-down should take about 30-40 minutes. Start on the top shelves and work your way down to the lowest point of your pond. You'll know you're finished cleaning when the water starts clearing up around the pump.

Clean the Skimmer and Falls

While you have the hose out, don't forget to drain and wash out your skimmer box and waterfall reservoir. Most filter material should have been cleaned and packed away for winter. If you kept your pond running over the winter, this is a great time to hose off any dirt or debris that may have collected on any filter media left in the pond. Any reusable filter material should be thoroughly rinsed off before replacing it.

Tidying Up

Once you are finished washing the stones, remove the pump and discharge hose from the pond. Remove any remaining leaves and debris. Spread the gravel that was displaced during clean back over the liner. Extra gravel can be added to any areas in and around the pond where the liner is showing. If your pump was allowed to run over the winter, it should be removed and cleaned. Return your waterfall pump to the skimmer, and hook it up.

Refilling:

Regardless of if you perform a full or partial clean out, early spring is a great time to change out your existing pond water. The winter run-off may contain pollutants that could be carried in your pond, thereby creating havoc to the pond's ecosystem. Before refilling your pond, let the water run a few minutes to flush the pipes.

When filling your pond, be sure to condition the water, especially if you are on a city water system. Conditioning the new water eliminates chlorine and chloramine, as well as neutralizes harmful metals. This makes the water fish and plant safe. Your waterfall pump can be turned back on as soon as the water reaches the desired level.

Re-Introducing Your Fish:

 

Fish Removed During the Clean-Out

Once your pond has reached the half-way point during filling, you can prepare to re-introduce your fish. Dip a bucket or bag into your fish holding tank, and fill it with a few inches of water. Add your fish to the bucket/bag, and float it in the pond.

Ensuring that your pond water has been properly conditioned to remove any chlorine or harmful elements, after about 15 minutes of floating, begin to periodically splash pond water into the bucket/bag. This gradual process allows the fish time to adjust to the temperature and pH of the pond. After another 15 minutes, you're ready to re-introduce your fish to their newly cleaned home.


Fish That Over-Wintered Indoors

Fish that have been kept inside over the winter cannot be directly re-introduced to the pond. They require time to adjust to the pond's environment. Sudden changes in temperature and pH levels will have an adverse effect on their health, systemically reversing any benefit of keeping them indoors.

Similar to when you first brought your fish home, you will need to gently net your fish, and place them into a plastic bag. Pond side, the bag should be untied, and allowed to float in the pond for 10-15 minutes. Then gradually begin to add small amounts of pond water to the bag (every 5 minutes for another 15 minutes). This done, gently release your fish into their summer home. Try not to get any bag water into the pond.

Limiting Fish Stress:

If your spring clean out is done in a timely and efficient manner, there should be little cause for concern. Even so, watch your fish carefully for a few days to ensure that they are adjusting to their new surroundings. Don't begin to feed them until the average temperature of your pond is 45°F.

If you do start feeding early, be sure to use a low-temperature food, and feed sparingly. Checking ammonia and nitrite readings regularly is also a good idea to ensure that the biological filter is establishing rapidly and effectively.