Pond Clean-Out General Instructions

Written by
Lily June 10, 2022
  1. Place holding tank on flat surface, preferably in the shade.
  2. Pump some of the original pond water into the holding tank until it is about ¾ full.
  3. Plug in an aerator pump and drop the air stone, with pump tubing attached, into the holding tank.
  4. Drain pond to just a few inches of water. This makes catching the fish much easier.
  5. Catch fish and transfer them to holding tank.
  6. Cover holding tank with netting or an old sheet. The fish might jump out otherwise.
  7. Pump the remaining water out of your pond.
  8. Remove the large debris in your pond by hand.
  9. Power wash or use a garden hose with a stiff nozzle to wash the stones. All the while make sure the pump is running to collect and discard this dirty run-off. The goal is to get as much debris out as possible. However, you don’t need to get 100% of it.
  10. Trim dead foliage on last year’s plants.
  11. When satisfied with the cleanliness of your pond surfaces, clean out the bio-filter and/or skimmer. Use a hose to wash filters, rock, bio balls, or whatever media you have for filtration.
  12. Fertilize your plants with aquatic tablets. And Barley Straw for algae control.
  13. If applicable, change any burnt out light bulbs in your underwater lighting.
  14. Start to refill your pond. Don’t forget to add dechlorinator and beneficial bacteria.
  15. Once your pond is half full and treated, transfer some of the NEW water from your pond to the holding tank. This process should take 20 to 30 minutes with you transferring small amounts of water at a time until the holding tank is completely full or over flowing.
  16. Once fish are adjusted to the new water, you can transfer them back into your pond.
  17. CONGRATS! YOU’RE DONE! Fill your pond the rest of the way, treat the water with dechlorinator and bacteria accordingly.