When to empty a pond? Are there recommended periods?

When to empty a pond? The emptying of a pond must be done in cold temperatures but never in freezing weather because you will disturb your fish which are in "wintering". So, when to empty a pond? What is the best time for this?

It is best to avoid temperatures exceeding 12° in the water. To do well (even if we try to avoid), an emptying must take place between April 1 and November 30 (2021 regulations in France for natural ponds).

In a garden, there are always plenty of tasks to perform (trimming, planting, cutting, composting, etc.) and there are even more of them when you have a pond. And yes: a body of water requires maintenance to remain visually appealing and healthy for the wildlife that lives there. So, when to empty a pond? What is the best time for this? How to clean the bottom of your pond? We explain all this to you in this article.

The best season to empty a pond is… spring!

Spring is simply the coolest time of the year when you love nature and gardening. The birds are singing, the trees are budding and the fish in your pond are happy to see the first rays of the sun pointing the tip of their noses... The best thing you can do for them during this season is to empty your pond to clean it from top to bottom!

How do you know if a spring cleaning is needed?

To determine if your pond needs a major cleaning or a simple vacuuming, all you have to do is observe it. If there is a layer of "dirt" at the bottom of the pond and its water is dark, it would be better to carry out a thorough cleaning.

On the other hand, if there is only a small amount of debris that you can stir up and capture with a landing net or pond vacuum, it is not necessarily necessary to carry out a "spring cleaning".

If you opt for a full cleaning, plan to dedicate an entire day to cleaning your pond. But remember that the best time to empty a pond is in early spring, before the water temperature rises above around 13 degrees Celsius. If cleaning is done when the water is warmer, the balance of the ecosystem will be disturbed and algae blooms may occur.

How do I clean my pond from top to bottom?

To begin, clean the surface of the water. Use your net to collect string algae and any debris floating on the surface of the water.

Then remove the pump (be sure to unplug it first), plants and decorations. By doing this, it will be much easier to clean the edges and the bottom of the pond.

Also remove your fish. This step is completely optional but we advise you to remove them if the water in your body of water is really dirty, smells bad or there is a lot of mud at the bottom. For light cleaning, you can leave the fish in the pond and skip this step.

Once your fish are safe in large tanks filled with water, clean the bottom of the tank. With this in mind, rinse the sides of the pond thoroughly and remove the accumulated mud with a dip net by throwing it in your compost bin or in the trash. You can also use a small pond vacuum if you have one available. Finally, rinse the pump and filter with a bucket of tap water.

Now that you have finished cleaning the basin, you can put back the pump, the plants, the decorations. Then, fill it slowly and wait several hours so that its temperature is room temperature (and at least 24 hours for chlorinated water so that the chlorine can evaporate). Et voilà: you can safely put your fish population back in your pond!

How often should a pond be emptied?

The frequency of cleaning the pool is another important element to take into account. Draining it more than once a year is a bad idea, but once a year is fine. That said, if you prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris and clean your pond throughout the year, you will need to empty less often. Again, just take a look at the condition of your pond (and the bottom of your pond) to know what it needs.

Good to know: adding a filtration system can greatly facilitate the cleaning of your pond.

Conclusion: empty your pond at the right time of year!

To sum up, the emptying of your pond must take place at the beginning of spring and never in freezing weather. This can stress and impact the health of your fish. Finally, remember to equip yourself well before emptying your pond and cleaning it.

Has your pond water turned green recently? Discover the reasons behind this natural phenomenon and our solutions to remedy it in our full article!