If you have a regularly maintained, basically healthy fish pond, doing an annual cleaning shouldn’t cause too much stress, although you should plan on devoting several hours to the chore. The best time of year is spring, or fall if you expect your pond to freeze over while your fish overwinter. If that’s not the case, spring is an ideal time to clear out last year’s debris and start fresh! By the way, unless you’re correcting some major problems, it’s perfectly ok to leave your fish in the pond while you clean. Make sure you’ve got all your equipment together before you start, and keep some water testing kits handy just in case.
Start by unplugging and detaching your machinery, followed by removing any plants or ornaments that might get in your way. You’re going to remove any big detritus from the bottom of the pond using a pool net or a rake, followed by clearing out as much of the sludge as you can manage. For this step, a shovel is a good option, or a pond vac. Make sure none of your aquatic friends are caught in the roundup and don’t forget nooks, hidden corners and plant shelves. Next, take a look at the sides of your pond. You should see a thin growth of algae covering the liner or any stones. That’s ok! A small amount of algae can help your pond maintain good water chemistry. If it’s starting to get thick or stringy or gross in general, though, you can scrub it gently off, being careful not to damage your liner. A relatively soft household brush works great for this. Next, it’s time to clear out and inspect your pump filter. Clean out any large bits or muck that have settled in there and inspect it for damage or wear. It’s a good idea to rinse it out, but don’t use chlorinated water or it could kill your bacterial colony. A bucket of pond water should suffice. Now it’s time to put everything back in place, reconnect your machinery, and turn it all back on. Put your tools away and you’re done! How about a nice glass of iced tea to celebrate a fresh new year with your fishy friends?
