Asked By: Hans, Brandon, MS
A: Some home buyers look for granite countertops or in-house movie theaters – but a half-acre pond is an amenity that makes us giddy! Because you likely don't know the history of the pond, how it was built or how it was maintained, it's best to give that new pond a complete rehab from the bottom up so you can use it to its full potential.
Here's a five-step process that will make the job easy:
- Assess the Pond's Condition. Before you begin rehabbing your pond, take some time to examine it, including Measuring Its Size and Depth, Identify Weeds and beneficial aquatic plants, checking for fish, and inspecting pre-existing structures like a dock or an aeration system. These details will help maintain your pond or get it back into shape.
- Give It an Oxygen Boost. Your real work begins with installing a bottom-diffused aeration system, like one of the Airmax Aeration Systems. The units, which include a diffuser, compressor and airline, circulate oxygen throughout the water column so that it's readily utilized by critters living in your pond, including fish, frogs and beneficial bacteria. It also helps remove harmful gases from the water. If your pond already has an aeration system, thoroughly inspect all its parts and tune them up as necessary.
- Control Weed Growth. Treat prolific growth of aquatic weeds and algae. Invasive plants like cattails, chara, phragmites, bulrush, watermilfoil and even out-of-control water lilies can become real problems in a closed ecosystem. Depending on your situation, you may need to use an herbicide and/or algaecide to get them under control before they take over and negatively impact your water quality. For help, check out our Weed Control Guide, which can help you ID and choose the right remedy for the weed.
- Remove Unwanted Vegetation. Before and after you treat the weeds and algae, mechanically remove growing and dead vegetation with a Weed Razer and Weed Raker. If you don't pull that growth out of the water, it will break down into detritus and pond muck, which will actually fertilize the weeds and algae you're trying to eliminate!
- Do Your Maintenance Chores. Now that your pond is on its way to being clean, clear and usable, keep it that way by maintaining it with beneficial bacteria and pond dye. Beneficial bacteria, like those found in ClearPAC Plus Pond Care Package, will break down any residual pond muck buildup and keep the water clear. Pond Dye will tint the water blue or black, preventing ultraviolet rays from reaching problem plants like algae while adding beauty to your waterscape.
With a little work, you can transform your new pond into a dramatic part of your landscape – particularly if you decide to add a decorative fountain or other feature to it. Have fun with your new aquatic playground!
Last Updated: May 16, 2024