Spring Maintenance Tips For Your Pond
As we transition from Winter into Spring, it is time to start "opening" up your pond again for the season ahead. The below list of recommended maintenance tasks can help prevent future problems from arising throughout the pond season.
1) Clean out Debris
This step is absolutely crucial for a healthy pond. If you leave debris such as dead leaves and algae from the previous Winter in your pond it may result in a chemical imbalance in your water. Generally, a full pond cleanout is unnecessary this is only to be done under exceptional circumstances. However, we do recommend using a pond vacuum, skimmer or net to remove any loose debris, algae or sludge from the pond at this point.
2) Begin Water Filtration for the season.
Once we enter into Spring, and the temperatures begin to rise again, we can now start to switch on our pumps and filtration systems again.
Steps 1 & 2 here are the most crucial steps when coming into Spring.
3) Supplementing your pond with beneficial Bacteria
Regularly adding beneficial nitrifying bacteria to your pond in Spring can help kick start your filter for the season ahead and help reduce algae blooms throughout the Summer. Maintaining the correct balance in your pond can be tricky at times, but the Oase AquaActiv BioKick supplement is the perfect product to help.
4) Evaluate the Health of your Fish
It can be tempting to start feeding your fish straight after Winter, but this can be a very costly mistake. Water temperatures need to be at a minimum of 10°C before start feeding, this is because cold water fish (particularly Koi fish) can’t metabolize their food in waters under 10°C.
Ultimately, the health of your fish contribute to the overall health of your pond. Make sure your fish are clear of any ulcers or white/cloudy eyes/patches of skin. Don’t stress if they seem unhealthy, adding medication to your pond is very simple and works quickly.
5) Test Water Parameters Consistently
Using a simple water chemistry kit consistently over the pond season is what separates the beginners from the experts. Regularly testing your pond waters parameters will highlight any abnormalities or deviations which can lead to disease or fish death.