How to Clear Up Farm Pond Water
Bacteria and fungus can quickly build up in a farm pond, leaving the water dirty and creating an unhealthy environment for the animals and plants that reside in it. You can decrease these toxins with a little patience, and by employing either natural, chemical or mechanical methods. Don't let dirty water keep you from enjoying your pond, or endanger its vibrant habitat. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Barley straw
- Water hyacinths
- Water lilies
- Water skimmer
- Submersible pond fountain
- Pond filter
Instructions
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Cleaning Your Pond Naturally
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1
Begin by skimming the surface of your pond to remove any excess fungus that has collected.
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2
Place an assortment of water hyacinths and water lilies on your pond, covering no more than 50 percent of its surface. These plant varieties will help naturally reduce the levels of bacteria and fungus present.
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3
Spread barley straw over the surface of your pond, covering no more than one-third of its surface. Barley is an efficient way to remove the build-up of waste from your pond and can provide results quicker than plants alone.
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4
Remove the barley that was spread in Step 3 after 48 hours using a water skimmer.
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5
Install a water fountain in your pond. Not only will this add visual appeal, but it will help oxygenate the water and create an environment that discourages the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus.
Cleaning Your Pond With Chemicals
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6
Remove all of the aquatic life present in your pond, including all plants.
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7
Add the appropriate chemicals to remedy the problems specific to your pond. Online chemical companies can help you determine the exact issues you are experiencing and can help you determine the proper disbursement of agents.
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8
Wait to reacclimate your aquatic life back into the pond until the appropriate amount of time has passed to prevent damage. Check the specifics of your chosen product to determine the proper timeframe.
Cleaning Your Pond Mechanically
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9
Choose the appropriate filter and pump for your pond size. Pond filters are rated by the number of gallons present in your pond. Always choose a filter that is capable of processing a pond that is the same size or bigger than the pond you need to treat.
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10
Install the pump according the the manufacturer's instructions.
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11
Clean the pump's filter every 24 hours for the next seven days. After this period, you can gradually decrease the frequency of filter cleanings to twice a month.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Cleaning naturally is the safest way, but it also takes the longest amount of time. If you need results quickly, then try the mechanical or chemical methods first, and then use the natural methods for the ongoing maintenance of a healthy pond.
When removing your pond's aquatic life for chemical cleaning, reserve a portion of the pond's water before adding chemicals so that you can safely host those items you remove during the cleaning.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit by the pond image by Quennie Chua from Fotolia.com
