Spring is here, and with spring comes the start of pond season! While we are still dealing with cooler temperatures, the water isn’t quite ready for livestock. But it is ready to get your pond set up for success this season. We will go through a couple of quick and easy steps to help get your pond ready for livestock.
1.Check and Service Your Equipment
Ensure all your equipment is running properly. Clean and maintain it as needed to begin operation. Replace your UV Sterilizer Bulbs. If you run an IonGen system instead of a UV Sterilizer/Clarifier, it is a great idea to replace the probes for maximum efficacy. Clean and service your filters, ensuring all gaskets and parts are in good condition. Consider picking up some replacement parts to be on the safe side if there is an issue.
2.Start Your Air Pumps
Increasing aeration in your pond will help awaken aerobic bacteria. These aerobic bacteria will help break down organic wastes and excess nutrients that have built up over the winter and lead to less algae in the coming months. As a bonus, aeration will also assist in kicking up detritus and moving it to your filter for manual removal.
3.Clean Your Pond
Remove as much organic material from the pond as you can. Removing leaves, old plant matter, twigs, and any other organics, will ensure a smaller increase in nutrients and things break down. It’s also a great time to do a 50% water change. If your pond is a little large than is manageable by hand, we do have a Pond Vac available for rent locally!
4.Seed your Water
The final step of cleanup and prepping for livestock is getting the good bacteria in your pond replenished. There are plenty of options available, keeping it simple and straightforward - Pond Pro Steps 1, 2, and 3 are our favourites! Step 1 will neutralize chlorine, chloramine, and any heavy metals present. Step 2 will introduce more populations of nitrifying bacteria, and Step 3 will introduce bacteria that will target organic wastes.
Now that your pond is cleaned up and ready to go it’s just a matter of waiting to populate it with plants and livestock! We recommend waiting until after the May long weekend before adding any fish to the pond. This ensures we’re out of the danger of bad frosts or major swings in water temperature.
If you have any questions about getting your pond started back up- for the season, visit us in-store or give us a call today!
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