It is time to get your ponds and water features up and running. A thorough cleaning of your system is likely in the works to get you off to a good start. To see if you need to do so, take a close look at your pond, especially the bottom. If there is a build-up of organic debris, then you are going to want to get it out of there.
An annual cleanout is recommended for best results and enjoyment of your water feature. However if the debris is mainly leaves and sticks that can be easily removed, then that may be all you need to do this year. The goal is to remove as much organic debris as possible to minimize the chances that nasty toxins will build up due to the oxygen demand placed on the system to break down all of that debris. Your fish require oxygen to survive, and if it is all being used up by the bugs breaking down the debris, your fish and water quality will suffer.
For the algae in your pond, there are a couple of options. Physical removal of the algae is the first line of defense once the algae is there, especially for the string algae. Water temperature is a key component determining which options are available to you when it comes to water treatments. If your water temperature is greater than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then you should be ok for most algae control products. Some varieties are specially formulated for colder water, such as AquaClearer Extreme Cold Water bacteria. Other products are not temperature sensitive, such as EcoBlast, and can be used any time the water is not frozen. Let’s hope that the ice is off of all of your ponds by now.
Keep in mind, that some algae in your pond is usually a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Remember to add a good dechlorinator to your pond when adding water that is chlorinated, especially if you have fish. Some dechlorinators have additional benefits such as addressing nitrates, ammonia, heavy metals, chloramines, etc. Read the labels to see what the products that you are using are able to do.
This is a brief overview of what you want to do. Contact us for more details or with any questions about algae control or starting-up your water feature.
Have a great pond and water feature season!
