Annual Pond Cleanouts
by Dan Eskelson on Apr 28, 2012
Much of the following advice will pertain to *all* ponds but is based on my experience with the natural ecosystem of our aquascape Designs water garden.
The annual cleanout is the only "major" pond maintenance chore required by our natural water garden environment. Considering the many hours of enjoyment our pond and waterfall provide throughout the year, these four or five hours of easy-paced work are well worth my time and effort.
The cleanout should be performed before the water temperature gets above 55 deg. F - the temperature at which the beneficial bacteria begin to colonize. You don't want to disrupt the natural balance.
Using a sump pump or the pond pump surrounded by a protective screen (to restrict the fish), pump out much of the water - use as long a pipe as possible and direct the water to lawns, shrubs, or other areas that would benefit from a nutrient-rich bath.
Before the pond, the level has lowered to six inches or so, fill two or three "holding tanks" (I used dishwashing tubs) with the existing pond water and carefully net your fish into them. The fish are weak after a long winter, so the less stress they endure, the better - they *may* try to jump out of the holding tanks, so cover with a piece of plywood or another object. Limit the time in the holding tank to just a few hours.
after removing almost all of the water, spray down the rocks with a garden hose and spray nozzle - it's not necessary, nor advisable, to remove *all* the algae - leaving some will be beneficial to the ecosystem. Start washing from the top down, and run the pump to remove the dirty water. Washing the rock should take only a half-hour or so.
Remove the filter media and lava rock from the skimmer and bio falls, and hose it thoroughly...again about a half hour's work. Clean out the skimmer box and any remaining debris at the bottom of the pond.
Though much is made of the dreaded "pond scum", with the natural ecosystem of the aquascape ponds, there is very little of this to deal with. I remove about a pint after the final rinsing.
Now hook up your pump, reinstall the filter media and start filling your pond. If you have city tap water, you will need to add dechlorinator according to directions...fish will not survive in chlorinated water.
Finally, float your holding tanks and fish in the new pond water for 30 minutes to acclimate them to the temperature change. Then free your fish into the pond.
That's it - not a bad job at all. This is a very minor price to pay for what we consider to be the best improvement we've ever made to our outdoor environment.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
74076 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67745 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
63666 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43693 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27129 Views
Latest Articles
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You Need to Know about Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimeters of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for the Next Generation
on Oct 18, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Investing in real estate is something that people have been doing for a long time. Most people invest in a home, so they can stay at the home. This...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Home Remodeling: Why Choosing the Right Room Matters
Home renovation can be an overwhelming task. On top of choosing colors and styles for new materials, you have to figure out how much work you can...
5 Important Considerations When Sourcing Prefab Steel Reinforcement Cages and Columns
Many building projects spanning from small home renovations to the construction of some of the most breath-taking architectural and civil...
Winter Garden Maintenance Tips
Winter is the quietest time of the year for most gardeners. It’s a time when green-fingered individuals plot and plan their gardening...
Top Reasons to Add a Fence to Your Property
If you are looking to improve your property but have run out of ideas, you might want to take a look at getting a nice fence for your home. There...
4 Tips on Presenting Your House for Sale
Amongst the many strategies to implement when selling your home, one of the most important is making sure the home is attractively presented to...