Keep your swimming pond in tip top condition all year long with our expert maintenance tips. From winterising to algae control, we have you covered
We supply a maintenance service which is unrivalled however Healthy ponds are happy ones! Here’s some tips to keep your pond healthy and thriving through the seasons.
Spring
Start cleaning. Begin by removing any remaining plants and getting rid of last season’s leaf cover. Once the area is clear, use a pond vacuum to clean out the rest of the pond. Once it’s been thoroughly cleaned, add a bacteria treatment to get your pond ready for spring.
Check your equipment. If you have an aerator or waterfall system, make sure that it’s still in proper working order after being shut down for winter (and remove any ice from it if you haven’t already). This is also the time to check that all pump filters are cleaned and functioning as intended.
Check your water quality. Get a water test kit and test for pH levels as well as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Clean up any algae blooms, replace damaged plants and put in floating plants to help keep algae from forming on top of the water in future months.
Add aquatic plants or seedlings into your pond once water temperatures reach 50°F (10°C). If you’ve got fish, their feed will become more important once they start swimming around again — fish need food when it’s warm enough outside that they’re moving around regularly (around 55°F [13°C].)
Summer
Check on your fish. In summer months, aquatic plants may bloom more than usual leading to a decrease in oxygen levels for the fish swimming around them. Be sure to check on your fish regularly and keep an eye out for signs of distress, such as lethargy or struggling for air at the surface.
Check the water quality. Evaluate the pH, alkalinity, and calcium levels in your pond water regularly to ensure that it’s safe for you, your fish and other animals who may end up in your pond.
Autumn
Keeping your pond clean during the autumn months is part of ensuring a healthy ecosystem. During this time, debris such as leaves, and plant matter enters your pond on a regular basis. As it breaks down, these materials contribute to an increase in nutrients that can result in increased algae growth. Therefore, it’s important to use some form of treatment to remove organic matter and prevent algae blooms from forming.
Ponds and swimming ponds both receive help from having plants around them. The plants help to keep the water clean by absorbing nutrients that feed harmful bacteria, offer shelter for fish and other aquatic life, supply shade and more. In autumn, however, those same plants begin to die off or go dormant for the winter (which can increase nutrient levels). So, what should you do about all those dead leaves? If you want to get rid of them quickly—and save yourself some maintenance later—you’ll need a leaf net.
Winter
Keep pond pump running. If you have a fountain or waterfall in your pond, it’s vital that you continue to run your pump during the winter months so that the moving water doesn’t freeze over. Since the pump’s primary purpose isn’t to aerate your pond anymore (you won’t need as much oxygen in winter), it can be beneficial to turn it off for short periods of time on warmer days to create ice patterns around it—but be sure not to let them get too thick, as this could damage the pump if left alone for too long!
Maintain water treatment. You’ll want to maintain your water treatment year-round, with a focus on using something like Aqua Clear to keep sludge levels down and keep the water clear.
If you wish to hire experts and take the pressure off yourself, you can enquire here about our Gold Star Maintenance package. https://www.pondandgardendesign.co.uk/pond-maintenance-packages/#form
