Spring Tasks:
• Drain and clean the pond.
• Clean the Skimmer and Biofalls.
• De-chlorinate the water before returning the fish to the pond.
• Check the PH of your pond water BEFORE and AFTER the water change.
• Add Beneficial Bacteria.
• Fertilize the plants.
• Begin using your Algae-Fix.
• Use cool season fish food when the water is above 50.
• Start the UV about a week or two after the bacteria.
Supplies:
• De-chlorinator
• PH Test Kit
• Cool Season Fish Food.
• Beneficial Bacteria.
• Plant Tab fertilizer.
• Underwater light bulbs.
• Thermometer.
Pond Cleaning Made Easy:
• If you have fish wait for the water temperature to be above 50.
• Don’t chase your fish. Drain the pond down to a few inches and then wade in and pick up the fish with your hands or a quality fish net.
• Fill a big container with pond water while your draining the pond to keep the fish in.
• Cover the container with pond netting after you put the fish in to keep them from jumping out.
• If it’s sunny outside cover your aquatic plants with wet newspaper and keep them in the shade.
• Use a soft bristled nylon brush. Don’t worry about scrubbing all the algae away.
• Clean the Skimmer and Biofalls.
• De-chlorinate the water before returning the fish to the pond.
How does a Biological Filter work? And why do I want one?
• The filter grows a large colony of beneficial bacteria which consume fish waste and other “fertilizer” keeping your fish healthy and starving algae in the process.
• All the beneficial bacteria die when the water temperature drops below 40 degrees and you should jump-start the colony each spring with new bacteria.
How does a UV Sterilizer work?
• The wavelength created by the UV light bulb kills Algae and other harmful organisms like parasites and harmful bacterium as well as Giardia.
• Water is pushed by the pump over the light bulb which kills the Algae.
• The light bulb has a one year life and must be replaced to function properly.
