1. Check your ponds, waterfalls and stream beds for any areas that may require repairs
2. Remove fish from pond prior to cleaning. Place them in temporary holding tanks with plenty of aeration. Examine fish for activity, ensure they are not struggling and are visibly healthy.
3. Remove any accumulated debris from the pond. If you have a rock bottom pond with no bottom drain, now is the time to do your Spring cleanout if you didn’t do it in the Fall. Be sure to remove filter media from skimmers and bio falls and spray wash them with fresh clear water (only). Drain the pond completely down. Spray wash the sides and bottom with a power nozzle and refill. If you don’t have a Pond Vac, you can use a wet/dry vac to remove excess debris from skimmers, filters and pond bottom. Don’t scrub or try to make your pond look sterile. Remember the beneficial bacteria needed to keep your pond in balance collect on the liner and rock in your pond as well as the filter media.
4. Remove and dry any mechanical de-icers and store properly for next season
5. Inspect and replace hoses and fittings that may be leaking
6. Start up the pump in shallow water to ensure that it is working properly
7. Refill pond with fresh water
8. If your pond has a bottom drain to prevent build-up in pond bottom, replace up to 25% of the pond water with tap water, at this time. (be sure to clean skimmers and filters as above before doing your partial water change.
9. Remember to add a water conditioner to remove chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals found in most tap water.
10. For a healthy pond, you will need beneficial bacteria. This will help to get a jumpstart on balancing your system.
We recommend Microbe-Lift PL it is Specially Formulated for Decorative Fish Ponds, Lagoons, and Smaller Water Features. It comes in 2 sizes: 1 quart which is enough to treat up to 20,000 gallons of water as a maintenance and up to 8,000 gallons as initial treatment. 1 gallon which is enough to treat up to 100,000 gallons of water as a maintenance and up to 40,000 gallons as initial treatment. Can also be purchased in larger sizes for commercial applications.
Microbe-Lift/PL offers continued biological activity even in water temperature under 55°F (12°C).
• Creates a healthy environment for your pond, promoting faster fish growth.
• Reduces ammonia and nitrogen levels.
• Significantly reduces noxious odors caused by dead algae, fish fecal matter, and urine.
• Reduces hydrogen sulfide, which creates strong, offensive odors.
• Reduces buildup of bird droppings, fish feed, and dead leaves.
• Breaks down dead algae.
• Improves dissolved oxygen levels.
• Dissolves away organic sludge.
• Seeds and maintains biological filters.
• Contains nitrifiers, including both Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter species.
• Contains photosynthetic bacteria which reduces cloudy water by promoting flocculation and settling of organic and inorganic particles.
• Effective over a wide range of pH conditions.
• Microbe-Lift PL is Safe for fish and plants.
Microbe Lift PL comes in 2 sizes: 1 quart which is enough to treat up to 20,000 gallons of water as a maintenance and up to 8,000 gallons as initial treatment
1 gallon which is enough to treat up to 100,000 gallons of water as a maintenance and up to 40,000 gallons as initial treatment. (Larger sizes are available for commercial applications)
Begin feeding according to seasonal feeding cycle (see Pond Fish Feeding chart) as water temperatures start rising.