Tag: Pond Cleaning Near Me

4 Ways to Remove Sludge From Your Koi Pond

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

A koi pond is a worthy addition to any property. However, like all other types of ponds, koi ponds also need to be cleaned regularly. Failure to properly maintain a koi pond can accumulate organic debris or sludge at the bottom.

Pond sludge can affect pond water quality. As a result, your pond can quickly become an eyesore. A sludge buildup can cause oxygen levels in your pond to drop rapidly. Extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen can lead to fish kills. In addition, pond sludge can promote the growth of anaerobic bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas that gives water a distinctive rotten egg smell.

Here are some ways to remove sludge from your pond.

Use Muck Reducer Tablets

Muck reducer tablets contain beneficial bacteria that break down organic waste without harming koi fish. In addition to eating away at the sludge at the bottom of a pond, beneficial bacteria eliminate any floating organic matter in it.

Use a Pond Vacuum

A pond vacuum is designed to suck out the sludge sitting at the bottom of a pond. Pond vacuums are usually used for small ponds. For a larger pond, use a large portable muck dredge or submersible pump.

Scoop Out the Sludge

To scoop out pond sludge, run a fine pond net along the bottom of your pond. This method may not remove sludge completely, but it may help reduce it.

Drain and Clean Your Pond

If the above pond cleaning methods don’t work, first drain your pond and clean it thoroughly. Be very careful when transferring your koi fish to a container, or they can get stressed. Once your pond is empty, use a pond vacuum or any other pond-cleaning tool to remove pond sludge. Be sure to dispose of it responsibly.

Tips to Prevent Pond Sludge

They say prevention is better than cure. So, why wait for pond sludge to accumulate at the bottom of your pond and then get rid of it, when you can prevent it in the first place?

Here are some ways to prevent sludge buildup:

➢ Remove dead leaves before they sink to the bottom of your pond.

➢ Plant beneficial plants around your pond to create a barrier that prevents debris such as leaves, grass clippings, and dirt from making their way into your pond.

➢ A stagnant pond is a breeding ground for germs. Consider adding a water feature to your koi pond to aerate it.

➢ Add beneficial bacteria to your pond at regular intervals.

➢ Make sure your pond isn’t overcrowded.

Atlantis Water Gardens is a leading water feature builder serving Milburn, New Jersey and beyond. Our experts have years of experience transforming regular backyards into oases with stunning water features. We also help our customers keep their water features in top condition all year round. To schedule pond cleaning in Millburn, call 973-627-0515.

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Pond Cleaning: The Best Tips For Clean Water

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

Every pond owner should make regular pond cleaning a priority. A clean pond can improve the aesthetic appeal of your backyard, transforming it into your special place. Regular pond cleaning helps maintain water quality and prevent algae. Fish and plants thrive in a clean pond.

Here are some tips to keep your pond clean year-round in Milburn, New Jersey.

Manually Clean Your Pond

Check your pond for algae every few days. If you see any, remove it with a rake or a long stick. Use a pond skimmer to try and remove dry leaves, twigs, loose grass, and seeds floating on top of the water before they sink and decompose.

Clean the bottom of your pond with a pond vacuum or a wet vacuum once a year. A pond vacuum sucks up algae, sludge, leaves, and other debris that accumulate at the bottom.

Consider installing pond netting over your pond. Pond netting simplifies maintenance and eliminates the need to frequently vacuum the pond by keeping leaves and other debris out of your water.

Feed Your Fish Properly

Too much fish waste can affect water quality. Select an easy-to-digest, high-quality feed. When fish are able to digest their food properly, they produce less waste.

Uneaten fish food can rot and provide nutrients required for algae growth. If you see food bits floating in your water, gradually reduce the amount of feed till you don’t see any food bits floating on the surface of your pond.

During the colder months, fish metabolism slows down. Stop feeding your fish when the water temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

Use A Biological Filter

Biological filter utilizes beneficial bacteria to break down and remove organic waste before it accumulates in your pond. There are two types of filters – in-pond filters, and external filters.

When choosing between an in-pond filter and external filter, weigh the pros and cons of these two types of filters.

➢ In-pond filters are easy to install but difficult to clean as you must remove the entire contraption.

➢ External filters are easy to maintain, but it can be challenging to find the right size and pump, as they’re usually designed for pools, and not ponds.

When looking for a filter, choose one that can filter twice the amount of water that your pond holds. Your filter should be able to clean your pond in two hours.

Add Barley Straw to Your Pond

Algae taking over is every pond owner’s nightmare. In addition to negatively affecting the aesthetic appeal of a pond, algae compete with plants, fish and other organisms in it for sunlight and other nutrients.

To prevent algae, add barley straw to your pond. As barley straw decomposes, it releases a chemical that keeps algae at bay. Add a bale per 1,000 gallons of water. Alternatively, add one tbsp of liquid barley straw per 50 gallons of water.

Whether you want to install a new pond or maintain an existing one, Atlantis Water Gardens can help. Our dedicate team provide top level service to ensure that your pond dream become reality. impeccable track record of delivering solutions that meet or exceed client expectations are what sets us apart. To make an appointment, call (973) 627-0515.

Take The Plunge!

Schedule a phone call and get to pick the brain of one of our experienced designers about your project Schedule My Call Now

Lovin’ It? Want more pics?

We got em. 🙂 Here’s some pretty photos you can look at to destress.