Pond Clean Out Form
Why A Spring Clean Out?
There is some confusion in the pond community as to just what a spring clean out is, what is does, and what you should expect from the spring clean out. If you have an Aquascape system, the spring clean out is covered in your owner’s manual on pages 46 – 49.
Spring rains fill streams and rivers, which in turn flush out lakes and ponds. This is natures way of preparing for a new season of life. With a man made water feature, you need to give nature a hand to simulate the same process. Exchanging the water in your pond once a year allows you to begin the new season fresh. Trace elements are depleted in your pond throughout the year, and spring is the optimal time to replenish your pond with fresh water. Since the balanced ecosystem keeps your pond
healthy the rest of the year, an annual clean out gets your pond off to a healthy start.
The best time of year to perform your clean out is early spring, preferably before the water temperatures reach 52 to 58 degrees. The beneficial bacteria that colonize in your biological filter and pond gravel will not yet be established. The aquatic plants are still dormant, so you won’t be disrupting them either. If you were diligent about trimming back the plant foliage in the fall, and keeping most of the falling leaves out of the pond before winter, you may not need a full clean out. Check the condition of your pond, before deciding. If you choose not to perform a full clean out, we highly recommend exchanging at least 20% of your pond water in early spring. This is especially beneficial to your fish.
What it is, and what it isn’t
Let me clear up any questions or misconceptions about the spring clean out. First of all, it is NOT intended to make your pond pristine or immaculate. The biological ecosystem takes care of your pond naturally. We simply want to give her a hand to expedite the natural cleansing process that continually occurs in the pond.
We first pump down the pond to a level where we can easily and safely net the fish and transfer them to the temporary holding tank. It is important to note that the holding tank is filled with the original pond water, so not to stress your fish any more than possible. Now the cleaning can begin. Since algae is the only thing growing in the cold winter months, you naturally want to remove excess amounts from the rocks during the clean out. This is done with a power washer, or high pressure nozzle on your garden hose. Washing down the rock on the sides and bottom while continually pumping out the dirty water removes excess decomposed materials. We remove leaves or other debris by hand before the power washing process begins. This process is to remove excess debris, NOT to make the rock spotless! We want to help mother nature, not replace her … it’s not a hot tub!
In order to expedite the clean out for us, and to keep your expense down, we will fill the pond up to a level where the fish will be safe and comfortable. We also de-chlorinate where necessary. When you get home, simply fill the pond to its normal level, and you’re ready to go.
Important Spring Clean Out Information
The Spring clean outs will be scheduled by geographical areas. Unfortunately we will be unable to accommodate requested dates or times due to the volume of clean outs and time frame from which we have to complete them. In order to guarantee a clean out you MUST return your clean out form to us by April 1st.
Spring clean outs will be a minimum of $250.00 for first hour. Pricing includes 16.9oz of Pond Starter bacteria. $140.00 per additional hour billable in quarter of hour increments based on a two person crew. Pondless waterfalls will be a minimum of $100.00 We will fill the pond to an adequate level to accommodate the reintroduction of your fish. We will also dechlorinate as required for you. The customer will be responsible for filling the pond to its proper running level and plugging in the pump. This allows us to complete the clean out in a timely fashion, saving us time and you money.
Note: Woodland Waters Gardens takes all necessary precautions to insure the health and well being of your fish and plant material during the clean out process. However, Woodland Water Gardens cannot be responsible nor liable for any loss of fish or plant life as a direct or indirect result of the clean out process.