![]() Pond salt is 100% pure salt, contains no additives and is in large crystal form for slow release. 1% (assuming your current salinity is 0%) add 1 pound of Pond Salt per hundred gallons of water. If you have fish in your pond, the salinity should be between. If the pH is outside this range add pH Up or pH Down and pH Buffer according to the directions on the container. ![]() If higher than zero, an additional 25% water change should be done until the levels are reduced. The Ammonia and Nitrites levels should read zero. ![]() Test your water quality using an at home pond test kit. Matala is easier to clean and lasts longer than the traditional filter pads. If new pads need to be purchased, consider upgrading to the new “Matala” pads. If pads are badly worn or torn they should be replaced. Do not over clean your filter pads or use any form of soap, or bleach on the pads. If the filter or skimmer pads were not cleaned in the fall, they should be rinsed prior to restarting your pump. Be sure to set the vacuum outside the pond for easy empting. When cleaning the sludge from the pond bottom a pond or wet/dry vacuum can be very helpful. When releasing the fish into the pond, carefully net the fish out of the bag and dispose of the bag water on the ground. The floating time will vary based on the temperature difference: if the difference is 5✯ or more, replace 25% of the water in the bag with pond water every 10 minutes until the temperature of the bag water is within 2✯ of the pond water. Also, if the temperature of the new pond water is more than 2✯ different than that of temporary tank, the fish should be placed in plastic bags with water from the temporary tank and floated in the pond for 10 to 30 minutes prior to release. Prior to returning the fish to the newly cleaned pond add a water conditioner to remove chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals. Do not feed the fish while they are in the temporary tank. The tank should be set in the shade and covered to prevent the fish from jumping out and predators from getting in. Add an aerator or pump to the tank to add oxygen to the water. Prior to performing a complete water change set up a temporary tank for your fish using water from the ponds surface (do not pull water from the sludge laden bottom that may contain significant toxic gases). If your pond has significant sludge and debris (1”or more) after the initial skimming and vacuuming, you should perform a complete water change. Note: Before adding new water, be sure to add a water conditioner that will remove chlorine and chloramines from city water, detoxify heavy metals in well water, and reduce fish stress by adding essential electrolytes, replacing the fishes slime coat. If your pond has minimal debris and sludge build-up, perform a 25% water change. Begin fertilizing with aquatic plants in late April or early May. Aquatic pots, planting soil and fertilizer will be needed to repot existing plants. If water plants are overgrown, spring is an excellent time to divide and repot, with the exception of early blooming plants such as Iris’s. Step 3.Ĭlean up your water plants, cutting back dead debris and bringing pots that were placed in deeper levels to over winter to their proper location. A long handled brush is also helpful in removing string algae. Use a skimmer net or pond vacuum to remove debris from the pond. Then, remove the pond netting (which was hopefully installed in the fall to prevent the leaves from falling into the pond). Rake up and dispose of leaves in the area surrounding your pondand remove. Below are 12 steps to lead you through the clean-up process. Once the snow has disappeared, the ice melted in your pond, and the temperatures have been consistently above 40☏ for a week or more, it’s time to open up your pond and garden pond water features for the spring. Spring Pond Start Up and Cleaning 12 Steps
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