Pond Care Throughout The Year
A pond’s activity varies with the seasons.
It will be much more active in the summer and may lie dormant in the winter. Pond maintenance must also
vary with the seasons and we have set out the main activities for your benefit.
SPRING
Much of the work on your pond will take place now, so be prepared for a busy time!
Feeding
Start to feed you fish more regularly and change their diet to growth food, normal sticks, flakes and pellets.
However care must be taken not to overfeed your fish.
Testing
Test your pond water regularly for high nitrite. High levels of nitrite indicate that your biological filter isn’t not
established or you are over feeding your fish. When adding fresh water to top up your pond, use de-chlorinator
to take out the dangerous chlorine levels that would damage your fish.
Fish-Fish-Fish recommend using Hagen Test Kits and Tetra Pond Aquasafe
Cleaning
After a long hard winter it is essential to remove any netting and clear off any debris.
Replace the netting if damages to ensure predators are deterred. Spring is a good time for hungry Herons!
Clean out any filters and wash your media in the old pond water to retain the bacteria.
Replace any worn out media gradually over the next few weeks as required.
Don’t forget to change your UV bulbs at this time of year too.
Add a supplement to boost your filter’s biological efficiency. Fish-Fish-Fish recommend NT Pond Aid Mature
Check for leaks and winter damage around your pond and fittings repairing/replacing where necessary.
Your filters must run continuously!
Use a supplement to break down any sludge in the pond bottom. Fish-Fish-Fish recommend Tetra Pond Crystal Water
Your pump is a vital piece of equipment and it is essential that this is well maintained. If possible, always put
your pump in the deepest part of the pond.
Plants
This is the best time of year to add new pond plants.
If any of the current plants have outgrown their containers, re-pot them into new pond soil in baskets
lined with hessian and topped with aquatic gravel.
Treatments
Once your pond water is above 12ºC, this is the time to treat any fish diseases. Fish-Fish-Fish stock a good selection
of treatments and if you need any free advice on which disease your fish have or which treatments you should use,
please feel free to contact Fish-Fish-Fish on 01799 550 943 or e-mail anytime
It is essential you turn off any UV clarifiers for 48 hours during any treatment.
New life
This will be the breeding period for fish and pond wildlife. Please feel free to ask our advice on the raising of
the new additions.
SUMMER
Feeding
Your fish may be fed in moderation up to three times a day, but be conscious of the water temperature and condition.
A feeding ring will encourage your fish to become tamer and keeps the food in one location within the pond.
This also helps maintain the water quality and prevents overfeeding.
Testing
Test your pond water regularly for high nitrite. High levels of nitrite indicate that your biological filter isn’t not
established or you are over feeding your fish. When adding fresh water to top up your pond, use de-chlorinator
to take out the dangerous chlorine levels that would damage your fish.
Fish-Fish-Fish recommend using Hagen Test Kits and Tetra Pond Aquasafe
Plants
You should continue to prune your marginal plants and remove any weeds.
It is essential to keep your oxygenating plants healthy and disease-free. Feed your plants with a slow release
pellet fertiliser.
Add water lilies and floating plants but make sure their leaves will not be splashed from fountains or waterfalls.
Fish
It is essential that you check the health of your fish regularly and treat any symptoms as soon as
they appear.
Now is the time to increase your fish stock and if you need any assistance Fish-Fish-Fish are happy to advise on
the best ways to introduce new fish.
Pumps
As the air and water temperature increases you may need to add an air pump to maintain the oxygen level.
Ensure your pumps are working fully and replace any pre-filter foams as required to ensure that water and air flow
is maintained to the full.
Algae
Algae and blanket weed love warm sunny weather. It is essential to remove these as they grows to ensure that
your pond maintains a healthy balance for your fish.
Besides algaecides, there are pond UV clarifiers available to help control blanket weed growth.
Predators
Herons and other predators may appear, so be prepared to ward them off with the use of an appropriate cover or
other such deterrent. Fish-Fish-Fish stock a wide range of nets and other products to help protect your fish.
AUTUMN
Feeding
This is the time of year to reduce the quantity of food you give your fish as the temperature decreases.
We recommend you change to a more digestible type, for example wheatgerm.
A pond thermometer will help you know the temperature of the water so you can determine the frequency
of feeding.
Treatments
Kill any parasites that are on your fish before the water temperature falls. It is difficult to treat fish in very cold water.
Fish-Fish-Fish stock a good selection of treatments and if you need any free advice on which disease your fish have
or which treatments you should use, please feel free to contact Fish-Fish-Fish on 01799 550 943 or e-mail anytime
It is essential you turn off any UV clarifiers for 48 hours during any treatment.
Plants
Now is the time to cut back your marginal plants, removing any dead material and prepare for winter.
All floating plants should be removed and stored in a frost-free environment.
Submerged plants should also be cut back to protect them in the cold months.
Unprotected plants may die and contaminate your pond.
Equipment
Cover your pond with a net to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in, especially if your pond is surrounded by trees.
Consider pond and garden lighting to prolong your enjoyment of your fish as the days shorten.
Autumn is also the best time to install new water features for next year – so get working and do your enhancements
ready for next year!
WINTER
Feeding
Feed your fish sparingly using a special winter food. Most fish will not want to eat during these cold months.
Ice
Ice over prolonged periods can damage your pond and kill your fish.
It is essential to have thawed spots to enable any carbon dioxide to escape and allow oxygen in.
Use a pond heater to keep at least a part of the surface ice-free. Never smash the ice as the shock may kill your fish.
If you don’t have a pond heater, use hot water to break the ice and create a hot-spot.
Pumps
It is preferable to move the pump to a shallower region close to the filter outlet. This reduces
circulation to a minimum and reduces heat loss. It is best to keep your pumps on to keep
your water circulating.
The pump generates some heat and the water circulation prevents your pond freezing.
Filters
Filtration can be safely turned off and can be removed to a frost free area to prevent any damage.
We hope your have found the guidance above of use and it assists you wish some trouble free, pleasurable
fishkeeping. Please feel free to contact Fish-Fish-Fish on 01799 550 943 or e-mail anytime should you have any queries.
About the Author
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