Opening Your Pond

Spring’s arrival allows us to once again realize that there is much enjoyment to be had outside our doors. It also reminds us that in order to make the most of our outdoor spaces, we need to put some effort into revitalizing them. For those of us who have ponds and water features in our yards, we need to take a day or two to clean and restart them. The following steps will guide you through how to properly open your pond, as suggested by Hagen, the distributors of Laguna pond products.

Step 1: Clean the Area
Before refilling the water, use your leaf net and remove all the organic debris that has been introduced over the fall and winter, such as leaves and twigs. Eliminating any organic residue is essential to maintaining clear water.

Step 2: Refill Water
Doing a partial refill will reduce the amount of wastes and organic matter that may have entered the pond over the winter. Using a leaf net over the pond can catch larger debris and prevent them from entering the water. A submersible pump makes this task fast and easy, but is not recommended if there are fish in the water. When you start refilling, allow the hose to run for a few minutes to flush the pipes before filling the pond. After refilling, add Laguna Water Prep to eliminate chlorine and chloramine, as well as to neutralize any harmful metals. This will help prepare the water for plants and fish.

Step 3: Equipment Start-Up
If your pond equipment is still dirty from when it was removed in the fall, give it a thorough rinse before setting it up in the water. Filter media should be clean and in good shape. You can help prevent your filter from clogging by placing it on bricks or cement blocks. Test the equipment before finalizing the set-up to make sure it is all in working order and that hoses aren’t leaking. Repair and replace any broken or worn-out parts.

Step 4: Water Preparation
You will want to start creating a balanced biological pond environment right after opening it, but you should not start adding any water treatment products until the water temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius. There are several Laguna products that can help you improve the healthiness of your water. Pond Detox provides powerful beneficial bacteria designed to eliminate ammonia and nitrite as they are produced. Phosphate Control is a second bacterial preparation that, like Pond Detox, is completely safe to add to the pond's ecosystem. It impedes algae growth, without employing algaecides or other toxins. Allow the pond water and any chemical additions to circulate and for the water to clear before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Adding Fish
If you have housed your fish indoors over the winter then you will need to slowly acclimate them to their new environment. Sudden changes in water temperature and pH can be harmful to fish, as can stress from being handled roughly. Do not pour or drop the fish in the pond. The best way to introduce the fish is by gently netting and transferring them to a plastic bag filled with their current water. Tie the top of the bag and transfer to the pond. Place the bag in the pond, untie it and allow it to float on the surface. Wait about 10 minutes, or until the temperature of the bag and the pond water are about equal, then add a small amount of pond water to the bag and leave for another 10 minutes or so. Repeat the process once or twice more before gently allowing the fish to swim out of the bag and into the pond.

If your fish were left outside in the pond over the winter, do not start feeding them until the water temperatures exceed 10 degrees Celsius. The fish may look active and start coming up to the surface, but this is an attempt for oxygen, not a sign of hunger.

Step 6: Monitor Fish
Moving from one ecosystem to another can have a traumatic effect on fish, so watch them carefully to ensure that they are adjusting to their new surroundings and that there are no losses. Also check ammonia and nitrite readings regularly to ensure that the biological filter is establishing rapidly and effectively. Within the first few days you may notice that your pond has become cloudy and green – don’t worry, this is pretty normal and will usually clear up as the pond gets more established. Achieving the right balance of sunlight, filtration and plants helps reduce algae, but you have to be patient. If you want guaranteed clear water, install a PowerFLO External Filter in tandem with a PowerCLEAR U.V. Steriliser.

Occasional Maintenance
Your filter may need to be cleaned more frequently during the first few weeks of operation. You can add water treatments to help your pond balance itself more quickly, such as Pond Detox or Green Water Clarifier. All of Laguna’s pond products are biologically safe and will not produce environmentally harmful byproducts. Once you have achieved a good balance, your pond should be pretty much self-sustaining. The only maintenance you need to do is clean the filter, pump and impeller once per month, feed your fish, and remove any large debris as you notice it. If you have trees near the pond, you may need to do more frequent cleanings as fall approaches and leaves start to drop. Do not allow leaves to build up in the pond, as they end up sitting on the bottom and rotting.

If you have any questions about these steps or regarding your specific pond, please call us for additional advice.