How to maintain a pond

A pond is an attractive feature to have in your garden, but it requires regular care and attention in order to ensure it’s always at its best for your enjoyment, and for any plants and wildlife that live in it. In this guide we’ll go through tips and techniques you can use to keep your pond healthy and happy.

Pond maintenance

In order to have a clear and healthy pond there are a few things you need to do throughout the year. Here are our top five actions to take to support your pond’s wellbeing:

1. Filter maintenance: Make sure that it is working properly so that all harmful material is being filtered out of the water. Pond filters should be cleaned at least once a month to ensure they are working correctly and never leave it too long before cleaning out a clogged filter.
2. Add plants: Plants will help keep your pond healthy by creating an environment that is beneficial for fish and can also help to clear the water. You can fertilise them, too. Just make sure to remove any dead plants and floating leaves.
3. Cleaning: If your pond contains gravel, this should be cleaned at least once a year in order to remove any built-up waste or muck and keep the pump working properly. Try to use pond water to rinse the gravel, and if not then just fresh water.
4. Testing: Regularly test for bacteria and ph levels with a kit, a healthy ph level is between 6.5 and 8.5.
5. Be weather aware: Take steps to protect your pond and its inhabitants from the cold, such as adding a layer of insulation or using a heater.

Note that if you have fish in your pond, you may find you need to clean your pond water more often. It’s advisable to check the water on a weekly basis and take out any leftover food or waste promptly.

It’s really important to get pond maintenance right, so as not to cause any damage to the life in your pond. Enter your postcode below to find local pond care professionals that your neighbours recommend.

How to clear green pond water

It’s normal for ponds to get a bit cloudy every now and then, but if your pond water gets too murky or starts to smell, here’s how to get rid of algae in your pond.

There are a few easy steps you can take to clear green pond water:

1. Try adding a bit of barley straw. It releases certain enzymes that collect free-floating algae and clump them together, causing them to sink. The downside is that it can take a few weeks for the barley straw to work, so you may need to be patient.
2. If you don’t want to wait and you want to know how to clear green pond water fast, you can try using an algaecide. Be careful when using algaecides, as they can be harmful to fish and other pond life. Choose carefully and only use them if absolutely necessary.
3. You can also try stirring up the water to make it less cloudy. This will help light to reach the bottom of the pond.
4. Finally, you can add some plants to your pond. Plants are a very natural way of clearing green water, as they use photosynthesis to convert the energy from sunlight into oxygen that aerates your pond water. Pond weeds are particularly good for clearing green pond water.

How to keep pond water clear without a filter

If you’re wondering how to get rid of green algae in a pond naturally, these are some of the ways you can keep it looking crystal clear without a filter:

• Remove any fallen leaves in your pond. Leaves break down and fertilise the water, causing algae growth, plus they’ll prevent natural light from breaking up murky surface scum.
• Add some plants. Pond plants help remove algae and excess nutrients from the water by taking them up through their roots. They are also a great option if you have fish in your pond, as they are completely natural, can be a food source and will provide shelter.
• Add some barley straw to your pond, it collects algae and effectively transfers it the from the surface to the bottom of your pond.
• Consider using an algaecide to break down the algae, but choose carefully and if you have fish or other aquatic life in the pond, always ensure the algaecide you use is safe for wildlife.

How to clean pond water with fish in

Fish are an integral part of a water ecosystem and will play an important role in keeping your pond clean. There are a number of ways you can clean your pond without harming fish and other wildlife, including frogs, toads, snails and newts. These include:

1. Introducing a pump and filter to remove debris, create aeration and keep the water fresh.
2. Adding a pond vacuum to suck up debris and clean the fish pond bottom.
3. Introducing pond plants help clean a pond naturally by absorbing nutrients from the water.
4. Use algaecide that’s safe for fish, but make sure you’re choosing and using the right one in order to avoid potentially irreversible damage to the health of your fish.

Whatever you choose to do, it’s really important to make sure that the fish are safe and not stressed while cleaning occurs, and it’s always advisable to consult a fishpond maintenance professional.

Help your pond thrive

When a pond is professionally maintained throughout the year, it is a joy to behold for its owner and becomes a thriving ecosystem for the plant and animal life that inhabits it.

When considering your maintenance options, your really need to understand the unique environment of your specific pond and choose techniques and solutions to match.

Hiring a local pond care professional is your best bet to having a well maintained and thriving pond.

FAQs

How do you dechlorinate tap water for a pond?

There’s a quick chemical option and a slow natural option. You can use dechlorination tablets or chemicals to remove chlorine and also introduce healthy bacteria. Alternatively, natural sunlight will dechlorinate water over time, so you could fill a large bucket and let the sun do the hard work.

How do I make a pond filter?

You can make a filter for your pond using some easily found components. Start with a large plastic container or barrel and add a layer of filtration available from your pond specialist. Then add a pump and piping to bring the water in from the pond on one side of the filtration material and a pipe returning to the pond on the other side.

How can I clear murky pond water?

As covered in detail above, there are numerous ways to clear murky water from your pond, including the introduction of a pump and filter, adding barley to collect algae, and the use of algaecide.