How to Take Care of a Pond

Here are the basics of how to take care of a pond.  Your pond may have slightly different equipment.  Let us know if you need help! Click on Weekly, Monthly or Seasonal Pond care for information.

Daily Pond Care

 1. Enjoy the fish!

  • Feed the fish just what they can eat in 3 to 5 minutes.  You don't want any food sinking or getting stuck in the skimmer. Read about How to feed you fish.
Weekly Pond Care

 1. Remove Debris 

  • Empty out skimmer basket/net

  • Make sure filter pad in skimmer not clogged with debris. 

Why: Organic debris breaks down and releases nutrients that cloud the water and fuel algae growth.  Debris can clog pump, causing low flow and eventually pump burn out. 

2. Check Water Level

  • Top off the pond.  Normal evaporation is 2-3 inches a week.  

  • If water drops more than that, perform a leak test. 

Why: Maintaining the correct water level protects pumps and ensures proper filtration and circulation.

3. Add Beneficial Bacteria

  • Should be added weekly.  Can put it in anywhere water is moving well (skimmer, bio fall, stream, main part of pond)

Monthly Pond Care

1. Remove Debris 

  • Make sure filter pad in skimmer not clogged with debris.  (You don't need to rinse with hose unless necessary to get debris out)
  • Reach down into skimmer to make sure no debris clogging pump
  • Check pond and stream for debris, and net it out

2. Plant Check

  • Are there any plants that are getting out of hand?  Trim them back.
  • Make sure plant growth is not pushing liner down. 
Seasonal Pond Care

Spring

  • Have the pond cleaned out.  Read more about what a pond cleanout is and if your pond needs it. 

  • If there is a pressure filter, get it going for the season. (usually happens during the cleanout)

  • Thin out over growing plants like Water Iris, Water Lilies and others. (usually happens during the cleanout)

Summer

  • Continue weekly care

  • Enjoy the pond - don't forget to sit near it with your favorite drink and book - a nap right there is highly recommended!

Fall

  • Net the pond.  It makes keep leaves out SO MUCH easier! Remove leaves when you see them. 

  • Towards the end of fall, if there is a pressure filter, it needs to be drained and turned off.

  • Add a de-icer if you have fish (In Colorado this can be added in November)

  • If possible, it is good to move up aerator discos to a secondary level when you have fish. 
  • Towards the end of fall, decide if you will be running the waterfall all season or not. If you have fish, most people run it.  If you want to turn it off, make sure the pump is disconnected if there is a check valve to avoid pipes breaking! 

Winter

  • If you chose to run the pond all winter, do not turn it off, even if its gets very cold!

  • Keep an eye on the water level.  When a large amount of water becomes ice, there may not be enough water to flow through the skimmer opening to the pump. If you have an adjustable skimmer window, put it at its lowest position for the winter. 
  • Continue to check on debris in the skimmer.

 

If you aren’t sure what to do for your pond, give us a call.  Did you know we offer regular maintenance visits year round or just during the warm months?  We do! 

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* This was NOT written by AI.  This was written by me.  I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person.  Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!

*No koi were harmed in the making of this content. 

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