Many of us know how pleasant it is to sit by the clear pond on a summer evening and enjoy the chant of birds. After all, the ideal surface of water gives a charge of the most positive emotions and soothes the mind. But, such garden ponds, even without fish and other pond water organisms, have to be cleaned of pollution, as otherwise, it will turn into a swamp with a lot of mosquitoes and murky water, which smell not that pleasant.
Dealing with poor waterproofing
Sometimes pond pollution may be caused by a violation of the waterproofing system. Subsidence of the soil or wrong preparation of the concrete slurry can cause cracks in the fundament. The concreted bottom or walls can crack, and soil begins to fall through the cracks.
To eliminate this problem, you need to drain the pond, clean the cracks and cover them with sealant in two layers. For large damages, it is necessary to clean them and cover them first with mastic, and then with a second layer of sealant. But such repairs are not a guarantee that the concrete foundation will not crack again. The most reliable way to eliminate leaks is to harden the walls and bottom with a layer of plastic.
Pond algae control
The algae, which are floating on the surface of your pond are one of the main problems, which has to be treated thoroughly. The water surface begins to turn green because of the growth of small algae. There are many types of aquarium algae, and all of them worsen the color of water, but do not harm its inhabitants. Removing algae from the pond should be carried out regularly – chemically, biologically, or mechanically.
If are wondering how to remove algae from the pond without harming fish, it’s better for you to use a mechanical method. To do that, remove the algae by using rakes, winding, and pulling them ashore.
The biological method also won’t harm your pond inhabitants. This method involves planting along the shores of the basin, which helps to create shadows and other adverse conditions for the growth of algae. The chemical method is more radical and involves the use of special substances and ponds chemicals – algaecides or dyes.
Usage of filters
Cleaning ponds and basins applying special filters is the most convenient and effective way. It is enough to put a cleaning filter on a pump and remove it from dirt. There are filters created for ordinary mud, large debris and silt, and biofilters with an ultraviolet lamp that prevent the reproduction of harmful bacteria and fish diseases.
The process of cleaning water with filters covers suction and filtration of green pond water through skimmers, with the removal of silt located on the bottom and surface of the pond.
Cleaning with the help of pond vacuum cleaners
How to clean a pond by applying fewer efforts? It is possible if you use a special pond vacuum cleaner, which collects garbage, both from the surface of the basin and from the bottom. Pond cleaners suction liquid, filtrate it through a special filter and withdraw already purified water through the hose located on the other side.
Removing the sludge from your basin can be carried out with the help of a bottom vacuum cleaner, which resembles the usual, but without a lack of an internal cleaning filter. The bottom vacuum cleaner sucks water inside into the bag and is automatically switched off when filled. Then you need to release the silt from the bag.
How to prevent the accumulation of silt and mud?
If you regularly remove silt and algae from basins applying the methods described above, this will serve as a guarantee of purity of the water surface and the health of inhabitants. But if the pond is heavily soiled, you should drain the water completely. Don’t forget to relocate your fish and other inhabitants before that. Then remove dirt from the bottom, algae, and mud applying flow strength of water, and then fill it with clean water.
Sometimes silt may rise from the bottom, and the water in the pond darkens or becomes green, due to the activity of fish or water pressure. To prevent this, you can add special chemical compounds, which will make the silt plunge on the bottom.
Feed inhabitants properly
You may be surprised, but your pond purity level depends on the organisms and animals, which live there. If you have fish, you should buy them only high-quality feed. This will help you prevent the growth of algae and reduce the amount of salt on the bottom. Every time you feed the fish, you have to get assured they eat all the food. If not, the leftover food will accumulate on the bottom promoting algae growth and creating silt.
How to not overfeed your fish? If you observe the leftovers floating on the surface that will be the sign for you to reduce the amount of feed you are giving away.
Pond winter times care
The question of wintering the inhabitants is solved, if your pond is large, fish won’t be threatened. But, if you are an owner of a small pond, fish should be moved to a home aquarium. Winter times care involves removing mud, preventing freezing of the entire water surface.
To prevent the accumulation of harmful underwater gas and access to oxygen in ice, it is sufficient to make one large hole in the ice and make sure that it does not freeze or lower the special heater. Small pond owners should drain the water for winter.
When winter times are over, it is necessary to check the wiring and pump. Remove the mesh from the surface, if you used one, get rid of mud and clean the pond.
You can also put the barley straw in the pond. It releases useful chemicals that help to prevent the growth of algae. Don’t forget to remove leaves and debris every day. Getting rid of twigs and grasses regularly will ensure the water purity of your pond.
