A Stress Free Guide to Fish Pond Maintenance
Even the smallest pond requires a little maintenance every so often and while it may not be the most glamorous of jobs, it is necessary to create a pleasant environment for your fish. With this in mind, here is a step by step guide to fish pond maintenance for beginners.
Remove Fallen Debris
If your pond is located under trees, the surface of it may be sprinkled with debris such as branches and leaves. The first step to maintaining a healthy pond is to regularly remove the debris that has gathered on the service using a pond skimmer. Clearing the water of debris is essential to remove decaying vegetation.
Check Your Pond Filter
A healthy pond is a clean pond and one way to remove waste is to invest in a premium quality pond filter. Over time, algae can build up inside your pond filter and as a result, its performance will be compromised. Early spring is the perfect time to clean your pond filter and once again during the autumn and winter months. When cleaning your pond filter, make sure that when you remove it from the pond you put it into a bucket of pond water as tap water can destroy the natural bacteria. Clean the areas that are obstructing the water flow and replace the sponges and pads should you need to. Once reassembled, check for any leaks before reinstalling it in your pond.
Plant Care
Plants can really bring your pond to life and play an important role in creating a natural look while providing shade to creatures that live in your pond. Aquatic plants are fairly low maintenance but you may need to tend to them every once in a while. In order to keep your pond healthy, divide your plants every two years. This is to prevent overcrowding in your pond, which is common if you have Hardy lilies or plants similar to this.
Take Care When Cleaning
If your pond is fairly rundown you may consider emptying it and giving it a deep clean. Rinsing the inside of your pond is advised but be careful not to wash away all of the friendly bacteria. Use a hosepipe to clean the interior of your pond but refrain from scrubbing all of the algae from the rocks in your pond.
So, there you have it, the complete guide to pond maintenance.