How to avoid mud in a pond?

The mud in a pond is made up of animal debris and plants. It is inevitable in an uncovered pond, and can quickly become a problem if you let it accumulate. In a water point, the growth of mud often reflects the state of health of the latter. In this case, a pond full of silt is in bad shape.

Mud causes the appearance and proliferation of algae, in addition to other aquatic plants. It can therefore destabilize the balance of the pelvis and cause various problems.

To avoid this, there are of course suitable solutions and measures. These will allow you to take care of your pool, and effectively prevent the development of mud.

Where does the mud that accumulates in my pond come from?

Before getting to the heart of the matter, it is still good to ask where this vase comes from. Quite simply, it is formed from organic matter and debris. It comes just as much from twigs, dead leaves or aquatic plants. The mud therefore feeds on all the organic matter in the environment of the water point.

When you feed your fish, for example, the food that has escaped them will decompose at the bottom of the pond. The risk of developing slime increases even more if you overfeed or use poor quality food.

What are the different problems related to the silting up of a pond?

In a pond, the formation of a thick layer of silt is quite problematic. And for good reason, siltation has a direct impact on the health of the environment. And on several points of view.

The impact of silt on oxygen in a pond

When a significant layer of silt forms in a pond, this has a direct impact on oxygen. In other words, the more the silt expands, the less oxygen is available. It may even end up disappearing from the body of water completely.

At the same time, this phenomenon leads to the appearance and growth of algae. And for good reason, the mud provides them with important nutrients for their diet and survival! Other aquatic plants will also form and gradually invade the water.

This oxygen depletion is problematic, and is harmful to the fauna and flora of a pond. Indeed, after a while, the oxygen no longer holds and disappears from the aquatic environment.

The accumulation of silt therefore leads to suffocation of the pool, while promoting intense plant proliferation. In summary, this unbalances the ecosystem of a water point.

A leak of unpleasant odors

In the long term, the mud accumulated in a pond begins to give off an odor that is as unpleasant as it is harmful. Often this happens due to lack of ventilation. And it is a much more common phenomenon in winter than in summer. Indeed, at these seasons of the year, there is a greater chance that the water in the pool will be arranged in several layers of different temperatures.

As the loss of oxygen is unavoidable, it promotes the formation of various anaerobic bacteria. And the latter are responsible for the fermentation of the mud. Then, these bacteria in turn lead to the appearance of debris that grows in the mud. As carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are very present in this waste, it strongly promotes unpleasant odors.

How to prevent the growth of silt in a pond?

No open pond is safe from silt. However, it is important and often urgent to get rid of it when it starts to accumulate. To avoid this natural but unfortunate phenomenon, we share some practical techniques to apply.

Clear the environment of the basin of the plants present

The first solution is the elimination of plants that are in the immediate environment of your pond. This will in particular limit the quantity of organic elements that will infiltrate your water point. This prevention technique will prevent the development of mud, while limiting a possible invasion of aquatic plants.

It is therefore an ideal solution for those who want to limit the ecological impact as much as possible. Indeed, it is effective and does not require any chemical treatment. At the same time, it is also the least expensive alternative.

The other side of the coin? This technique requires attentive and regular work. Moreover, it only shows the desired results over the long term, sometimes several years.

Have a good aeration system for your pond

Aeration systems provide the oxygen necessary for the survival of aerobic microorganisms. As you might expect, when the pond is well aerated, you notice a good level of oxygen. This prevents the imbalance of the ecosystem, while preventing the destruction of flora and fauna.

The presence of oxygen therefore helps to fight effectively against the proliferation of silt. In a well aerated pond, the water quality is therefore much better, and beneficial bacteria are present.

Regularly check the filter system and the pump

On the edge of the pool and its environment, it is very important to check the equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check that the pond pump and the filtration are in good condition. These two elements are essential to avoid the stagnation of water or the loss of oxygen.

In practice, we will check that nothing hinders the rotation of the propeller. It will also be necessary to ensure that the settling grids, the biological filter and the UV filter are regularly cleaned with clear water.

Regularly clean the pool

Cleaning your pond regularly and thoroughly will help prevent the growth of silt and the invasion of aquatic plants. But for this, you do not need to empty the basin.

Here are some tips for maintaining your pond without worrying too much.

• Remove dead leaves, algae and plant waste: use a skimmer to collect the waste that floats on the surface, before it sinks to the bottom of the pool. This would avoid their accumulation, and by extension their transformation into a vase. Also get into the habit of scooping up seaweed with a tightly meshed landing net.
• Let the pump and filtration work every day: choose a time of day and let the pump and filtration run for a few hours. The operation must be done every day for a good aeration of your water point.

In summary

After a while, dust, earth, organic and plant matter will sink to the bottom of your pond. It is an irreversible phenomenon when your water point is not covered. The main thing is to limit their accumulation which could increase the silt in your pond.

To reduce its expansion, you must regularly maintain your device. It is also necessary to take care of a good oxygenation of the basin for a good balance of its ecosystem and to avoid the proliferation of silt. As long as there is not a thick layer, there is no need to resort to chemicals that could harm the inhabitants of your device.