How to maintain and clean a natural pond?

How to maintain and clean a natural pond? Maintaining and cleaning a natural pond keeps its water point free of algae.

This is why it is essential to learn how to maintain it well before its creation. In order to simplify your work, we have grouped together all the advice necessary for the maintenance of a pool. So be careful and apply these tips!

1. Make sure your natural pond benefits from favorable conditions

Make sure that the location of your pond is at least partially shaded so that it does not get too hot in summer. In addition, do not plan a body of water that is too small in size or shallow: the greater the quantity of water, the more stable the analyzes of your water will be. In general, a natural pond should have a depth of at least 80 centimeters, or even a meter. In addition, a water volume of 5,000 liters is ideal.

2. Use a net to prevent leaves from falling into the water

In the fall, dead leaves have a habit of falling from the trees and ending up in your pond. However, the leaves that land on the surface of the water, slowly sink to the bottom and turn into slime, a substance harmful to your fish. Thus, a net considerably reduces the work of maintaining and cleaning your pond. Cover the entire surface of your pond with this net no later than the beginning of September.

3. Regularly prune your aquatic plants

One of the most important measures to maintain and clean a natural pond is to regularly prune its aquatic plants. Indeed, these plants continually extract nitrogen, phosphate and other nutrients which also potentially promote the growth of algae.

For water lilies, for example, cut off all yellow leaves in autumn and remove them from the water before they sink to the bottom. In autumn or spring, cut the reeds just above the surface of the water.

Pond maintenance also involves monitoring submerged aquatic plants such as dandelion and yarrow. If they become too invasive, it is crucial to cut them.

4. Suck up silt and debris to clear up your pond water

Despite careful maintenance of the pond, it is practically impossible to prevent the formation of silt. This is formed from fine inputs such as dust, pollen and plant seeds. And while slime isn't a problem on its own, it can become quite a problem when it bubbles up to the surface. In doing so, it decreases the oxygen available in your natural pond and releases an unpleasant smell.

Use a special vacuum cleaner to remove the layer of nutrients at the bottom of the water without draining your pond. This device works like a “real” vacuum cleaner: it sucks up the mud through the hose and deposits it in a tank. The water is filtered and returns to the pond through a pipe located at the reservoir.

5. Remove thread algae in summer

When the garden pond warms up in the summer, a few thread algae form. Remember to remove them quickly and compost them. There are special landing nets and string algae brushes available in the specialist trade for easy removal of algae from the pond.

6. Regularly clean the pump and filter of your natural pond

The maintenance of the pond also involves cleaning the pump and the filtration system. This is especially important if you want to breed fish in your body of water.

For the pump, check that nothing hinders the rotation of the propeller. Then, wash the biological filter, the settling grids and the UV filter with clear water. Finally, check that all connections are fully operational and secure.

Good to know: some filter models have a special indicator that lets you know when they need to be cleaned.

Conclusion: all you have to do is maintain and clean your natural pond!

As you will have understood, maintaining a clean pond is a long-term job. Each season you will have new tasks to complete. But we are sure you can make it happen. Not to mention that as a result of your efforts, you will have a beautiful natural pond and fish in excellent health. So, it's up to you!

How about browsing our blog for information on maintaining and decorating a garden pond?

FAQs:

Before embarking on the process, we would like to know how the pond cleaning is going?, what standards must we respect?, should the cleaning be done every year? How much does this cleaning cost? Please