By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Purchase a good pond thermometer. It's hard to determine the best time to start up your garden pond because spring temperatures can fluctuate so much from year to year and state to state. In some areas, temperatures can warm up only to have another unexpected cold snap. Most experts say that you should start feeding goldfish again when your pond water is consistently staying between 55 and 60 degrees.
Step2
Examine your biological filter and replace the filter media, if necessary. This should be done before the water temperatures get to the point where the pond is warm enough to breed bacteria. When the pond water temperature is over 55 degrees, biological clarifiers should be added to give your garden pond a good start for spring. Replace the light bulb on UV lights. Even if it still works now, bulbs should be replaced yearly to make sure they last through the current season.
Step3
Check your water circulation system carefully to make sure everything is in working order. Check for leaks in pumps and filters. Clean your tubing and change any tubes that need replacing. Run all waterfalls to make sure the water is flowing freely. Be sure to check under and around any boulders for hidden algae that needs to be cleaned away.
Step4
Clean away leaves, branches and any other type of debris that has accumulated in and around your pond over the winter. A skimmer net with a handle long enough to reach the bottom of the pond works well for this. Give your pond a thorough cleaning with a pond vacuum. Exchange about 25 percent of the old water with fresh water.
Step5
Make sure the chemical balance of your pond water is at a healthy level for your fish. Use a water testing kit that has everything necessary to check pH level, nitrites and ammonia levels. Monitor your pond's chemical balance often, especially in the first part of spring when water circulation has just started again.
