Natural ponds have fresh water intake and an exit. Without this constant flush of new water, however, algae will grow. Even in natural ponds, algae buildup happens as a natural part of life. Without proper maintenance you aren’t keeping up a pond in your back yard, you’re growing a swamp. Use these seven essential tips to help keep your pond in pristine condition:
Spring Care
In the spring, you need to shake off the damage from winter and get your pond ready for summer.
1. Cleaning and Repairing Your Pond Maintenance System
The pond filters from Water-Garden.co.uk are truly fantastic at keeping your pond clean throughout the summer, but to ensure this remains in pristine condition throughout the year, take care of your filter too. Take some time to clean them in the spring. They need that little bit of TLC to get back up and running effectively.
2. Fish Health Tips
In the spring, you will want to start feeding your fish again at regular intervals. Keep an eye on the temperature. Once it reaches 10°C, you’ll want to start feeding them a low-protein, fiber-based diet and then a protein-rich diet once the water warms to 12°C. Use an automated fish feeder to make this process easier and more consistent.
Autumn Care
Winters are brutal on ponds, so make sure to prepare and winterize them before the temperature drops below freezing.
1. Winterize Your Pond System
In autumn, however, you will need to prepare your pond for winter. Algae is unable to grow in cold water, so once your pond reaches that temperature, it is a good idea to remove your filters if you don’t have fish. If you do, then you will need an Ice Preventer to keep the water moving and avoid freezing over entirely.
2. Prepare Your Fish for Winter
You will want to use this time to medicate your fish with disease-preventing water treatment. You need to do this in autumn as many of the viruses and parasites that affect fish lie dormant over winter and wake up in full force during the spring.
Around the Year Care
No matter what time of year it is, always check these three elements:
1. Remove Debris
When you see debris, try to fish it out ASAP. Debris will eventually sink to the bottom of your pond and start to rot. This makes it hard to keep your pond pristine, and actually increases the likelihood that algae growth will exacerbate.
2. Maintain Healthy pH Levels
Keep an eye on the pH levels and adjust as necessary. Though it isn’t likely, your pond will become too acidic, reaching that stage could start to kill off everything in your pond. Fish, in particular, need a healthy pH range to thrive.
3. Maintain The Right Water Level
Your pond pump needs to be submerged to work effectively. Water levels will drop for a variety of reasons. A heatwave is the biggest culprit, so have a line marker in your pond for your use. If it drops below this level, then you know to refill it with distilled water back up to the line.
