Printed from the WaterGarden.com Library

Eight Steps for Springing Your Pond to Life

After a long cold winter there are a few things that you should do before putting your pond back into service.

1. Inspect The Pond
   Take a careful look around your pond. Make sure there has been no winter damage to the pond or any of the components. Repair or replace as necessary.
   
   
   
2. Clean The Pond
   No matter how much preparation you have done, winter has likely left the pond in less than perfect condition. Even with leaf netting, you probably have had a few leaves settle to the pond bottom. Any plants that were not completely cut back will usually leave a settlement of organics in the pond bottom. Manually scoop out as much of this as possible or use a pond vacuum if you have one. You can also use our Natural Bacteria & Enzyme products such as GreenEx, Microbe Lift Sludge Away, or Pond-Zyme Plus. Use these products on a regular schedule throughout the year for a healthier pond.
   
   
3. Start Pump
   If your pump has been off for the winter, spring is the time to start it back up. Most people do this when the water temperature increases to around 50 degrees. Do not start the pump and then leave. Start the pump back up when you will be spending time around the house for several hours. This way you can keep an eye on everything and make sure that all the water is still going where you want it to go (back in the pond).
   
   
4. Start Filter
   If the pump and filter system has not been running for awhile, you will want to give your filter media a thorough cleaning prior to starting the system backup. Next, or if your pump has run all winter, it is time to give the bacterial colonies a boost. There are many products that accomplish this like Microbe Lift PL, Microbe Lift Gel Bacteria, or Bio-Filter Booster.
   
   
5. Test Water
   Begin testing the pond water again. Of particular importance are ammonia and nitrite levels. Both of these should be zero. Perform partial water changes if either test gives a reading other than zero.
   
   
6. Condition Fish
   Spring is the time of year when fish are most susceptible to developing health problems. There are a few things that can be done to help protect the fish. Gram-negative bacteria can cause severe infections. These infections can be prevented by use of KoiZyme but are very hard to eliminate after the fish has become infected. Debride DW is a medicated fish food that will help protect fish from internal worms. For general protection, pond salt can be an easy way to help the fish ward off disease and pathogens. MelaFix or PimaFix is a safe natural treatment that will help to make sure your fish get a healthy start on spring especially if there has been any physical damage during the winter.
   
   
7. Feeding
   Warm weather means your fish are now or soon will be ready to start eating again. Until the water temperature is consistently above 50 degrees, continue to not feed the fish. Once the water temperature is into the 50s you will want to feed a food designed for spring and fall like Microbe Lift Cold Weather or Pond Care Spring and Autumn food. As the water temperature reaches into the 60s it will be time to feed your regular summertime fish food.
   
   
8. Plants
   Also as the water temperature reaches into the 50s it will be time to get the hardy plants that survived the winter ready for a great year ahead. This is the time we begin fertilizing the plants. Also, for maximum performance, it may be necessary to divide some of these plants. If the plants are too crowded in their pots, they will suffer and their growth and flowering potential limited. Simply thinning these out will provide you with more from your plants.

[Back]