Fact Sheet Weekly Pond Care

Weekly Pond Maintenance A key issue in maintaining a healthy pond is to make sure that water quality remains within limits. A test kit should be used weekly to obtain readings of pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. Treatments are available for correcting any out-of-range conditions of these four parameters. Weekly Maintenance Checklist Use Test Kits - add pond treatment to correct out-of-range conditions Check filter elements - rinse or replace if necessary Check water level - add water if necessary Check for algae growth - use treatment if necessary Check your filter elements. Rinse them out in pond water if necessary. Occasionally, you may have to replace these elements. Replacement parts should be available from the dealer who sold you the filter. Check your pond's water level. Natural evaporation and splashing from waterfalls and fountains all contribute to a reduced water level. Slowly add water to the pond to fill. Finally, check your pond for algae growth, either in the form of green water or unsightly green growth on the surface. Hot weather and an out-of-balance pond can accelerate algae's growth. Pond treatments can be used to stop algae growth. Many pond owners choose an ultraviolet clarifier (UVC) to reduce single-cell algae and to prevent further growth. This device encourages flocculation (clumping together) of algae so they can then be removed by filtration or settle to the bottom of the pond for later removal. Another device that will help keep the pond clean is a skimmer. These are designed either to be positioned in the middle of the pond or to be installed through the edge of the pond. In either case the lip of the skimmer automatically positions itself just under the surface of the water, allowing the top few millimeters of water to spill over the edge. This is an effective way to reduce the amount of debris that settles to the bottom of the pond. Call For Price 440-320-7854