Pond Maintenance 101: How to Keep Pond Water Clean

Have you ever envied a clean, well-maintained pond when yours is murky, brown, or green? Sometimes, keeping your pond water clean and clear seems impossible, but it doesn’t have to be! The truth is that ponds require maintenance in order to look the way you want. If you’ve struggled to maintain a clean pond, you’re in good company. Achieving a more pristine pond is a balance that takes time, patience, and a bit of work.

Getting Your Pond Water Clean

Luckily, the path to a clean pond isn’t a mystery, and you don’t even have to do any of the dirty work yourself. There are pond treatments available that maintain your pond’s ecosystem while giving you the appearance that you desire. Established ponds might take a bit of extra work to find a proper balance. In order to achieve cleaner pond water, you need patience and persistence, but the results are well worth it. The best way to get a head start is to call an expert who can assess your pond’s condition and offer their professional advice on a solution. From there, you can find the best combination of solutions

Treat Algae

When you notice a green or brown tint to your water, the most likely culprit is algae. While it plays an essential role in your pond’s ecosystem, algae can reproduce quickly. It doesn’t take long for the adverse effects to take hold, leaving you with a seemingly unending mess to clean. Finding the right balance of algae is a science, so call in a professional to assess the type and level of algae that’s affecting your pond. They’ll do tests to determine what types of algae are thriving in your pond, then form a plan to get it down to manageable levels. Beneficial bacteria work wonders on algae growth while aiding in your pond’s overall ecosystem.

Manage Overgrown Weeds

Aquatic plants also play a big role in your pond’s ecosystem, but you can have too much of a good thing. In the case of invasive weeds, a small problem can quickly turn into a big one. Weeds grow fast and kill off beneficial plants, consuming their resources and spreading. Containing overgrown aquatic weeds can be a big job, but it goes a long way in promoting your pond’s ecosystem and keeping the water clearer. Keep in mind that there are good aquatic plants that regulate oxygen levels and give fish a place to hide. However, removing weeds is necessary to allow the proper plants to flourish.

Clean Filters

A dirty filter could be the cause of your once-clean pond water turning dark and murky. There are many different pond filters that work differently, and some need to be cleaned more often than others. By cleaning pond filters, you can remove months’ worth of biological waste, debris, and algae and allow the filter to do its job most effectively. Filters should allow the free flow of water without restriction, and it’s necessary to clear them of debris regularly.

Keeping Pond Water Clean

Once your pond looks the way it should, you still need to do work to keep it looking that way. While a clear pond is easier to maintain, it’s best to monitor it closely throughout the year and be proactive in keeping your pond healthy and clean. 

Aerators

Fountains add more than aesthetic value to your pond! They circulate oxygen throughout the pond water, giving a boost to wildlife while removing toxic gases released by algae. Fountains and aerators keep your pond from becoming stagnant by disturbing the water’s surface. Because they keep the water moving, filters can stop organic waste and sediment from settling and reducing that familiar, nasty pond smell. Consult with a professional on the needs of your pond, decide on the type of fountain you want, and enjoy the results of a debris-free pond.

Seasonal Treatment and Winterization

Did you know that algae can grow even below the frozen surface of your pond? Along with algae, cycling water temperatures can kill off wildlife and plants, leaving you with a big mess. You can hire an expert on seasonal treatments for ponds, and be sure to look for a service that knows the ins and outs of your local climate. Here in Illinois, it’s a good idea to prepare for winter and spring since our winters can be harsh. You might think that life stops underwater in the cold, but it typically goes on, only with a layer of ice over the top. 

Preparing for different seasons involves:

• Removing dead leaves and debris
• Trimming back any overgrown plants
• Adding a mix of beneficial bacteria to curb algae growth

A lot can happen in a few months, and preparing for the next season will give your pond a good head start. Winterization allows your pond’s ecosystem to thrive in changing conditions and temperatures, allowing it to emerge ready for the following seasons.

Are you looking for help with keeping your pond water under control? Contact Basic Irrigation today!