| As water temperatures start to warm and fish | | | | pond. Hose off the rocks, sides and bottom of |
| begin to swim, it's time to do your spring | | | | the pond to loosen all the dirt. Continue using the |
| maintenance for your pond or water garden. | | | | sump pump until the water is clean. Also clean the |
| Spring maintenance includes cleaning the pond, | | | | filter, waterfalls and streams. |
| checking your water quality, adding beneficial | | | | Start filling up the pond with fresh water. While |
| bacteria and adding the necessary water | | | | filling up the pond, drain about 10% of the water |
| conditioners if needed. | | | | from the container where the fish are being kept. |
| Instructions for ponds that have been cared for | | | | Then add fresh water to the container. Continue |
| during the autumn and winter | | | | doing this while the pond is being filled. This is so |
| If you kept your pond clean during the autumn | | | | the water temperature will gradually adjust to the |
| and winter, your spring maintenance will be very | | | | temperature of the new water being added to |
| simple. | | | | the pond. Drastic water temperature changes can |
| Clean the pond's water surface and bottom of | | | | also kill the fish. |
| any debris such as leaves, twigs, dead plants, etc. | | | | While the water is filling up in the pond, you will |
| This can be accomplished using a fish net with a | | | | need to add a chlorine and metal neutralizer to |
| handle or pond vacuum. | | | | the water. Chlorine from tap water and metals |
| Also, clean the filter, waterfall and streams. | | | | such as copper and lead from pipes can kill the |
| Check your water quality for ph, buffer, nitrates | | | | fish. |
| and nitrites. If you have fish in your pond and the | | | | By relocating the fish and changing the water you |
| ph is very high or very low, adjust it gradually | | | | are putting the fish under much stress. Because |
| over the course of a few days. Drastic swings in | | | | of this, you should add a water conditioner to |
| ph can kill your fish especially Koi. | | | | increase the slime coat on the fish. This should |
| Next, add a good beneficial bacteria to help start | | | | definitely be done if you have Koi. |
| up the beneficial bacteria in the pond. | | | | Check the pond water ph level. Make sure it is as |
| If you have a UV clarifier, change the UV bulb at | | | | close as possible to the existing water that the |
| least once per year. | | | | fish are in. Adjust the ph level if needed using a |
| Connect your pumps, UV clarifiers, start pumps | | | | ph plus or ph minus water conditioner. |
| and check for leaks. | | | | Next, add a good beneficial bacteria to help start |
| Instructions for ponds that have not been cared | | | | up the beneficial bacteria in the pond. It will take |
| for during the autumn and winter | | | | about 6 to 8 weeks for the bacteria to colonize. |
| If the pond has a tremendous amount of leaves | | | | If you have a UV clarifier, change the UV bulb at |
| or muck in it because you did not cover it with a | | | | least once per year. |
| net in autumn, you may need to drain it in order | | | | If you don't have a UV clarifier, you may want to |
| to clean it properly. Only do this as a last option. | | | | add a water conditioner to control algae blooms |
| Changing the water is very stressful to the fish | | | | until the bacteria colonizes. |
| and will eliminate all of the beneficial bacteria. | | | | Once the water temperature and ph is similar |
| If you need to drain a pond that has fish, get a | | | | between the pond and the container, you can add |
| large container to use as a temporary pond for | | | | the fish back into the pond. |
| the fish. Keep the container in the shade so the | | | | Connect your pumps, UV clarifiers, start pumps |
| water does not heat up. Fill the container with | | | | and check for leaks. |
| water from your pond. Catch the fish with a fish | | | | The easiest way to keep pond water clear, algae |
| net and place them into the container. Put a net | | | | free and keep your fish healthy is by keeping |
| over the container to keep the fish from jumping | | | | your pond clean all year long. If you don't keep it |
| out. | | | | clean all year long, following the above procedure |
| Drain the pond using a sump pump connected to | | | | will help eliminate algae blooms in the spring and |
| a backwash hose. Clean the pond by removing all | | | | keep your fish healthy. |
| the leaves and debris from the bottom of the | | | | |