Ponds Archives | Page 7 of 7 | Colorado Pond Pros

Does My Pond Need a Cleanout?

Does my pond need a cleanout?

Balanced ponds may need to be cleaned out every couple of years. Ponds that struggle with balance may need annual cleanouts. Take a look at your pond.

◊ Is the water brown, black or unclear?

◊ Do you see muck or sludge on the bottom of the pond?

◊ Is your pump struggling to work because of excess debris around it?

◊ Were the fires particularly bad this year, dumping ash in the pond?

Ponds are ecosystems. When they are in balance, the water should be clear. There may be a touch of algae here or there, but not an excessive amount. When the water looks good and the plants and fish are thriving, you still might need to have the gunk cleaned out. Ponds in Colorado need to run all year long to help keep the water clean. Leaving the water stagnant over the winter can breed a slimy composted sludge that has to be cleaned out in the spring. Learn more about ponds in our Ponds 101. Wondering if your pond needs a good cleanout?
Contact us and text us over some pictures – we’ll help you figure out if a cleanout is right for your pond.

What exactly is a pond cleanout?

When we perform a pond cleanout we:

Remove the water from the pond
Safely transfer the fish into a portable pond that we bring
Pressure wash every surface of the water feature including streams and waterfalls
Clean out equipment like skimmers, biofalls and canister filters
Check all equipment for proper operation
Check for any lights that may need to be replaced
Remove the gunk from the pond
Cut back plant material as needed
Fertilize water lilies
Put clean water into the pond
Add water treatments to establish a healthy ecosystem balance and to protect the health of the fish
Replace any rocks that may have been disturbed during the cleanout
Return fish to the pond
Consult you about the ongoing maintenance of the pond so that it will be beautiful all year long

What about barley straw?

Barley straw helps keep algae at bay.

When using this type of algae treatment, it is imperative that it is organic. Straw that may have been treated with pesticides could kill the plant life and even the fish in the pond. It usually comes in a small “bale” that can be placed in the pond and weighted down by tying a string to a rock that is attached the the barley straw bale. As it begins to decompose, it creates an enzyme that helps to reduce algae.

How long does it take to work?

You won’t get instant gratification here! This may take 4 to 6 weeks to really get going, so we recommend adding it in early spring. Adding it at the time of a cleanout is even better. While a bit of patience is needed, it pays off. Barley straw can keep a pond looking great all season long, because it lasts about 9 months!

Make sure you are adding the correct amount of barley straw for the size (gallons) of your pond. Directions generally come on barley straw that can be purchased over the internet.

Want to learn more about pond ecosystems, check out our Ponds 101 page!

Raccoons in the Pond!

Raccoons can become a pest if they realize you have fish! These pond predators are brave and clever, and deterring them can be difficult.

Try these things to get rid of a raccoon at your pond:

♦ Put in a fish cave for your fish to hide in

♦ Provide plants like lilies and floating lettuce to help hide the fish

♦ Leave your dog in the backyard – raccoons don’t want to deal with dogs

♦ Use mountain lion urine. Yep. Mountain lion urine can be obtained from many garden centers or online. Don’t worry, they obtain it humanely and give each mountain lion a good pet and love for sharing their urine! Follow the instructions on the container. It should deter those pesky raccoons!

Click HERE for More Pond Topics!

How Many Gallons of Water in a Pond?

How are gallons of water in a pond calculated? To find the gallons of water in a pond, we use the calculation of length x width x 80% x average depth x 7.48. Why 80%? Ponds are usually not square, but about 80% of a square. You may have a round pond that is shaped more like a kidney bean, an off-centered oval or a natural flexible shape like the pond pictured here.

What is with the 7.48%? There are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic square foot.

(L x W x 80%) x average depth x 7.48 = gallons in a pond.

So for a 10 x 8′ pond with an average depth of 2 ½ feet, it would look like this:

10 x 8 x .80 = 64. 64 x 2.5 x 7.48= 1,196.8 gallons.

Why it is important to know the gallons of water in your backyard pond?

When you purchase beneficial bacteria, algaecide or other products, the directions will specify the amount to put in based on the gallons of water in the pond. While it may not seem like a big deal, overdosing a pond with a product could cause fish and plants to die. Always know the gallons of water in your pond for the safe addition of products to help your pond stay in balance. Check out Ponds 101 for more information and topics about ponds!

Fish Food Storage

fish under lilies

Storing Fish Food – It matters!

Proper storage of fish food is essential to keeping it from going bad or getting mice, cats, mold or weevils in it. As long as you have a fairly small container, a shelf in the garage might be fine in the spring or fall. The garage might be too hot for storage in the summer months.

Does it really matter if its old?

Yes! If the food is old, it may smell funny or have a fuzz on it. It may change color or consistency. Feeding fish spoiled food can cause them illness! Better for them to wait a few days to be fed while you get some fresh food than to eat something that may hurt them. If the food is bad you’ll have to throw it out. In the meantime you could give them a bit of green lettuce or some fruit. They will enjoy a sliced zucchini, blueberries or watermelon.

If you buy fish food in larger quantities, don’t put the food in the freezer. That can degrade the nutrients in it. Put it in the fridge for best preservation.

Have other fish related questions? Check out Fish Care Basics for more information.

Is a Cleanout Right for My Pond?

Pond Cleanout

If your pond has excessive decaying matter or sludge, it’s probably time for a cleanout. Balanced ponds may need to be cleaned out every couple of years. Ponds that struggle with balance may need them annually. Pond Cleanout

What is a full pond cleanout?

A full cleanout consists of removing the fish (we put them in an on-site portable pond during this process) and draining the pond by pumping out all the water. The waterfall, the rocks, gravel, and bottom of the pond are pressure-washed, and the remaining gunk is removed. Plants are trimmed as needed, the pond is refilled, and the fish are returned.

Post Cleanout Care

One of the most important aspects is actually the caring for the pond in the weeks following the cleanout. Keep in mind that the ecosystem of the pond is essentially being re-started when a cleanout is performed. Bacteria needs to be added right after a cleanout and every couple of days right after one to avoid an algae bloom. Beneficial bacteria won’t do you any good if it doesn’t have anywhere to live. Therefore, it is critical that beneficial bacteria have gravel in the bottom of the pond and/or bioballs in the waterfall so that they have a place to colonize.

If your pond develops an algae bloom or becomes green and cloudy at some point after a cleanout, it does not mean that the cleanout wasn’t done well. It simply means the pond is not in balance yet.

Please remember that the use of algaecide can also disrupt the balance of a pond. It removes oxygen so that the algae dies, but it also kills beneficial bacteria and can even kill fish. It makes establishing a balanced ecosystem difficult!

A pond that has had proper care taken after a cleanout to rebalance the ecosystem, will continue to look great!

Want to read more about how to keep a healthy pond? Click HERE!

Ready to sign up for your pond cleanout? Click HERE to get started! bacteria and can even kill fish. It makes establishing a balanced eco system difficult!

Ponds Bring Your Family Outside!

Grandkids want to stay inside and play video games? Family members turning into couch potatoes when they come over for a get-together? The addition of a pond to your outdoor living space is so much more than just digging a hole in the ground! A pond incorporates unique interest with sights and sounds that sooth and intrigue. Kids are drawn to the water and want to look at the fish and check out dragon flies and frogs. Many people build small beaches where little kids can get their feet wet and hold their hands under a waterfall. Ponds and kids are a natural match!
Being outdoors builds curiosity and confidence in children. Nature brings a calm and fun aspect to children’s lives and you can bring of bit of that nature to your own backyard. Children love to feed the fish, and the soothing sound of the falls will relax the adults too!

How do I get one of these?

Ready to take the plunge? Take a look at the waterfeature possibilities! The steps to having a pond in your backyard are easy!

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