Time to clean the pond
There are two times of the year when cleaning the pond is highly recommended:
- in spring at the beginning of the pond season
- after the end of summer
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The purpose of cleaning after the summer is to remove the algae that have died at the end of the summer from the pond. After they bloom, they no longer grow unchecked, and over time they settle on the bottom of the pond.
In this way, a pond can even "tip over" - in other words, completely algae. The oxygen concentration in the water is then very low, which also often causes aquatic organisms to die from a lack of oxygen.
During the winter months, ponds become less polluted, but can also tip over. In addition, individual aquatic plants may have died. Take the opportunity and use this opportunity to also check the liner - especially on the edge of the pond - for damage from frost and snow.
Cleaning measures
First of all, the pond itself must be cleaned. This includes several measures:
- Removal of coarse impurities from the water (use a landing net)
- Control of the aquatic plants and, if necessary, removal of dead plants
- Pumping out two thirds of the pond water (fresh water is used when refilling)
Several methods can then be considered for cleaning the film:
- Cleaning with a pressure washer
- Brush with a scrubber
- Cleaning with the steam jet
For all of these cleaning work, which is best carried out when the water level in the pond is very low, it is essential that you comply with the load-bearing capacity of the liner.
With very thin foils there is always the risk that the foil will tear if handled too roughly. So proceed as gently as possible, even if that means more work. If dirty water is produced during cleaning work, you can simply pump it out with a dirty water pump. Do not use conventional garden pumps for this, as these could clog if they do not have a sieve.
Preventive cleaning
At least the cleaning in spring should always be done completely. To protect the pond from pollution during the year, you can either cover it or use a so-called skimmer, which keeps the water clean.
Tips
Before cleaning, however, always wait in spring until the pond has a water temperature of at least 12 ° C. If the temperature is below this, it is better to wait a little longer before cleaning.