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Pond Care Throughout The Year
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 12C, 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.

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