Owning a garden pond comes with a lot of responsibility. If you have recently installed one and have noticed that it is starting to look a little grubby and in need of some TLC, then you’ll probably have been wondering, when is the best time to clean out a pond? A pond should never be completely clean; it is important to the wildlife and plants to have a degree of friendly bacteria. However, every few years you will need to perform a good amount of maintenance in the early spring if you want to keep your pond looking its best and thriving.
Things To Consider When Cleaning Out Your Pond
As any pond owner knows, keeping a pond clean is essential for the health of the ecosystem. However, there are a few things to consider before you start cleaning. For example, if you have frogs that have overwintered at the bottom of the pond, you will need to be careful not to disturb them. Additionally, if you have other animals in your ponds, such as fish or turtles, you will need to take them into account when cleaning. Time of year is also important, early springtime is best; before the pond becomes a hive of activity for a new growing season when the temperature is still below about 13ºc. If it is too cold, you could damage the plants and animals in the pond.
By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can ensure that your pond-cleaning efforts are both safe and effective.
How to Know if My Pond Needs Cleaning?
It can be challenging to know whether your pond needs a full clean or just a little general maintenance. As a rule, you can tell what kind of treatment your pond requires by taking a look at the bottom. No, we aren’t suggesting you don some goggles and go for a swim! Take a net and gently run it along the bottom of the pond to reveal whether there is a layer of crud or slime. If this is the case, you should prepare yourself for a more in-depth cleaning. Another good way to tell if a full clean is needed is by checking the clarity of the water; if it looks dark and murky, well… you don’t need us to tell you what to do.
When Is The Best Time To Clean My Pond?
It is best to undertake cleaning your pond when spring starts setting in and the water temperature is still below about 13ºc. The reason for this is that when a pond is cleaned when the water is warmer, the disruption to the natural bacteria could upset the pond’s ecosystem and be detrimental to its health. This typically results in a flourish of algae which could take some time to dissipate while the bacteria in the pond is re-established. In the case of a deep clean, you may need to spend anything from an afternoon to a weekend working on the pond. Much of this will depend on just how dirty it is and of course, the size of the pond.
On the other hand, if you are only going to be giving the pond a little spruce up, you may only need a spare hour or two.
How To Clean Out A Pond
Let’s assume that you are going to be giving your pond the once over, there are quite a few things that you will need to do. Having everything planned out before you start can eliminate any potential problems along the way. This is also important for the health of your fish as the kind of interference can stress them out.
What You Will Need
- Pond Vacuum
- A power washer or a suitable high-pressure attachment for your garden hose
- Shears or secateurs
- A net to catch your fish (if required)
- A container large enough to hold the fish while you complete the clean; a small paddling pool is typically the best option
- This should be covered by a net, especially if you will be housing the fish here overnight
- Buckets
- Pond detoxifier
- Cold water beneficial bacteria
1 – Emptying The Pond
Potentially one of the most daunting tasks for pond owners is draining the pond of its water. However, while this may take some time, depending on the size of the pond, it is an important first step. You should place your pond vacuum at the deepest point of the pond for the best effectiveness. The discharge hose can be placed anywhere that the draining water won’t cause a problem, however, we suggest relocating this periodically to avoid an overflow to any particular location.
As the water level begins to drop, you will need to catch your fish and put them into the holding container. It is vital that this is filled with an appropriate level of pond water which can be put into the container prior to emptying the pond.
2 – Cleaning The Pond
Once your pond is empty, you can begin the cleaning. It might look rather dirty and the thought of getting it spotless could be overwhelming. But you may be surprised to learn that the process isn’t as complex as you might have imagined. Using a pressure washer or your garden hose with the relevant attachment, spray the bottom of the pond to remove any dirt. This is a particularly good method if you are going to be removing stubborn dirt from rocks and other solid objects. However, you should keep in mind that you should leave some algae on the rocks in order to maintain a healthy ecosystem. As you rinse the bottom of the pond, you can release the water using your pump. Keep doing this until the water that sits in the pond begins to look relatively clear.
Once you have completed this step, you will need to clean the pond filters, remove debris and clean the filter mats.
3 – Putting The Pond Back Together
Once your pond is clean, you will need to begin filling it again. Depending on the size of your pond, this could take anywhere from an hour or two to an entire afternoon. It is essential that, if you have fish in your pond, the water is suitable for them. To make sure of this, you can use a product known as pond detoxifier (Amazon link – opens in a new tab). It is important not to simply put the fish back into the pond. Start by putting them into a bucket with some of the holding tank water and placing this into the pond. This way, the fish will be able to gradually adjust to the temperature of the pond water without going into shock. Once they have been in the bucket for around 15 minutes, you can begin adding small amounts of the new pond water to the bucket. Shortly after, you can release the fish into the clean pond.
Conclusion
Cleaning your pond can be a big job but one that is incredibly important. However, many people are confused about the best time to do this. The early spring when the water is not too warm is the most effective time to clean your pond without upsetting its delicate balance. However, when completing this work, you must make sure that you have everything you need and a plan in place. This will make the job go much more smoothly.
Garden Doctor Tips
“Clean your pond in late winter/ early spring before the water begins to get too warm!”
“Whatever size pond you have, invest in a pond vacuum – thank me later!”
“The average pond will need a deep clean every 3 to 5 years as required!”
“Recycle any sludge and organic matter that you manage to collect – it makes great fertiliser!”
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I clean my pond?
A typical pond will need a deep clean every 3 to 5 years although this could be needed much sooner if you have particularly bad algae blooms.
How do you clean out a pond?
The number 1 invention for cleaning out a pond is a pond vacuum. Pond vacuums work like regular vacuums except they filter out the water and leave the sludge contained in a net ready to be placed on your compost heap.
How often should I do a water change on my pond?
It is recommended that changing approximately 5-10% of your pond water each month will give you the best results and a healthier pond.
Author
Trevor Wright is not just a seasoned horticulturist; he’s the esteemed Garden Doctor. With a BSc in Horticulture and years of hands-on experience in the soil, Trevor has become a trusted mentor for all things gardening. As the founder of Garden Doctor, he’s committed to clarifying the intricacies of gardening, offering straightforward advice that’s rooted in years of practice. His writing is a garden of how-tos, savvy insights, and comprehensive guides that enable individuals to nurture and grow their garden dreams. When he’s not knee-deep in garden beds, Trevor is at his keyboard passing on his green-thumbed wisdom to budding gardeners, ensuring that the legacy of sustainable and joyful gardening blossoms far and wide.
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