Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months can be very stressful on your fish. However, if the pond is really dirty and full of 'muck' - then you may want to consider it because all of the decaying organic matter in the pond can cause problems if the pond ices over, and this begins to de-gas and rot.
So, I think the best solution, and what we used to do for our clients was do a partial Fall pond cleaning.
Here's how to do it:
First, get a container that will hold roughly 100 gallons or so, or up to half of your pond volume (bigger is better). Then take a pump with a hose, and pump out the relativel 'clean' water from your pond by holding the pump just beneath the water surface. Keep as much of the 'old' pond water as you can. Then, catch your fish (if possible) and place them into the holding tank of their own (clean) water.
Then you can either net out your leaves and dispose of them, along with any muck that you can get out also. Alternatively, you can then pump out the remaining water and do a thorough clean out, including vacuuming out the pond with a large wet/dry vac (this works great!).
Then refill the pond back up to the level it was at before disposing of the water, de-chlorinate the water, and adjust the pH to match that of the 'old' water in your holding tank. At this point, start pumping new water from the pond into your holding tub, and then pumping the mixture back into the pond. Do this for 15-20 minutes until the new water mixture matches that in the pond - and then pump the remaining water back into your pond while netting your fish back in as well.
But it's very important not to expose your fish to new water conditions too quickly as differences in temperature and pH can cause extreme stress to your fish, affect the immune system, and even cause shock or fish death. So always be careful when changing water.
**************************************************
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE
'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!
**************************************************
Tropical flowers make an exciting change from the more traditional... Read More
Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul.Flowers are a heartfelt, natural way... Read More
When planning your new landscape, the first place to start... Read More
Backyard ponds are a great source of fun and enjoyment.... Read More
Keeping Your Soil HealthyYour soil is the most important part... Read More
In the previous article I discussed design for your new... Read More
Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants... Read More
I made my very first garden when I was six... Read More
Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by... Read More
When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More
A few years ago I made the decision to create... Read More
A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty ? sweet,... Read More
Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant... Read More
Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More
In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More
In many parts of North America, the end of "porch... Read More
I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More
Can't wait to get back to the garden? Use this... Read More
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
Every year you plan that THIS will be the year... Read More
Summer is here and it's time to plant and enjoy... Read More
Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown... Read More
You've found a great Porch Swing and you know exactly... Read More
Asparagus is a perennial plant with erect, edible stems and... Read More
Colour affects our emotions, moods, physical, and spiritual well-being. It... Read More
More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors... Read More
Are you one of those home gardeners that don't know... Read More
Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More
The size of your yard will determine your final vegetable... Read More
Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome... Read More
Patio accessories can range from small to large and of... Read More
When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions.... Read More
Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More
One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More
Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More
One of the long standing myths that I still hear... Read More
In an effort to introduce a shaft of sunlight into... Read More
Having an outdoor patio offers the opportunity and place to... Read More
Outdoor furniture constructed with teak wood is a favorite among... Read More
Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More
During my youth kids were required to pass through a... Read More
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose... Read More
There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a... Read More
Though most Push Reel Mowers made today are durable, they... Read More
A pond, logically, the first question you should ask is... Read More
Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for... Read More
Some of the best gifts you can give to a... Read More
Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the... Read More
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you... Read More
Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and... Read More
The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples... Read More
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing... Read More
Flower bulbs need a good, long, winters sleep. Like some... Read More
To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their... Read More
There are many reasons for creating an indoor garden ?... Read More
Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of... Read More
The Quest for SignificancePeople are looking for ways to add... Read More
Don't force yourself out of the most profitable hobby in... Read More
The Adirondack chair is unlike any other chair every made.... Read More
Did you know that you can send flowers many different... Read More
The wonderful thing about choosing teak outdoor furniture is that... Read More
When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More
Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More
Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the... Read More
If you are like most of us, there are two... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |