How to Maintain Your Pond the Right Way

Methods for maintaining your pond may vary according to season just like any other yard maintenance. It is vital to understand the appropriate methods during the maintenance to keep the pond healthy and running in every season.

During spring the maintenance has to be done with maximum effort and care. During spring the pond has to be cleared of any debris or fallen leaves from the pond. If the pond is too dirty, you may have to drain the entire pond after keeping shifting the fishes to a holding tank. If they do not require that, you may replace half the quantity of water in the pond. The material or media used in the filter must be replaced and the filter should be cleaned thoroughly to be clean from harmful bacteria.

Later, you may refill the pond with freshwater and treat the ponds to get rid of parasites and bacteria. The plants surrounding the pond may bloom throughout the season. You may maintain the plants by cutting off dead and dry branches and leaves and may feed the deep water plans or potted pond plants with a pond safe fertilizer.

The feeding time for fishes changes according to the climate as well. When the temperature is too cold you may not feed them at all since they cannot digest the food. Once they exceed 10°C (55°F) you may start feeding them with wheat germ based food. As the temperature progresses you can introduce food formulated specially with added antibiotics for about 2 weeks to avoid diseases.

During the fall, the fish’s digestive system slows down and when the temperature drops below 21°C (70°F) you may have to gradually reduce the amount of food you fed them during summer. Later during winter you will have to completely stop feeding them and when spring warms up the temperature you may start feeding them back again.

During summer, maintaining the pond is simpler comparing to rest of the seasons. You may feed your fishes with food high in protein. The water must be tested frequently for ammonia, pH level and nitrates since high level of them will minimize the oxygen level in the water and turn fatal for the fishes. The water has to be replaced up to 50% if the quality is not balanced.

You may even consider adding some oxygenating plants in the pond in order to increase the oxygen level in the pond. Live plants also minimize the growth of algae. The filter and sump has to be cleaned and the pond plants have to be fed regularly with pond safe fertilizer.

When winter begins, you may have to ensure that the pond is clear from accumulated dirt. The surrounding plants have to be trimmed off to prevent the dry leaves from getting rotten in the water during winter. You may also consider covering the pond with a mesh so that the leaves do not fall inside the pond.

During winter the pond has to be ensured not to get frozen which keeps the building toxic gases under the ice. When the temperature drops under 4°C the pump must be removed from the bottom of the pond since they circulate the water throughout the pond which cools the water and makes them tough for the fishes to survive. A re-circulating pump should be fixed on the top of the pond so that the freezing temperature is not circulated throughout the pond and sufficient oxygen is provided to the fishes as well. It is a good idea to install a pond deicer or heater which provides more oxygen for the fish.

During winter the filter mats should be removed from the filter and skimmer since they tend to freeze and it is difficult to thaw them out. The pond should be covered with net during winter and early spring months to avoid the fishes falling prey to birds and other predators.

         

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