Spring has arrived, and it’s time to breathe new life into your water features! Whether you have a pond or a pondless waterfall, a thorough spring cleaning is key to maintaining the health and beauty of your feature. At Pond King Water Gardens, we focus on providing top-tier care for the water features we’ve built, as our familiarity with their design and components allows us to deliver exceptional service, including warranty-backed work.
Currently, our spring cleaning services are primarily available to our existing clients. However, we do occasionally take on new cleanings if the feature meets certain standards. Space is limited, as we prioritize the needs of our valued clients. In the future, we hope to expand our team so we can offer these services to more people.
We want to be transparent about the types of features we work with. We do not service concrete ponds, bare liner ponds, or features that are severely overgrown. These designs often have inherent issues—such as improper filtration or structural concerns—that can create safety risks or make it difficult for the feature to function as intended. In many cases, these features are better suited for a full redesign to ensure they align with the high standards of the Aquascape approach.
If you’re interested in discussing a potential redesign, we encourage you to fill out our contact form to schedule an assessment or design consultation. During an in-person assessment, we’ll thoroughly evaluate your feature and provide recommendations for improving its functionality and appearance. While we often recommend a full rebuild, we understand that may not always be feasible and are happy to explore alternative solutions that may help you get more enjoyment out of your water feature.
Our goal is to support you in creating a beautiful and functional feature that brings you peace and joy, and we’re here to guide you through that process with care and expertise.
Why Spring Cleaning is Crucial
Over the winter, debris such as leaves, sticks, and sediment accumulate in your water feature. Without a cleaning, this material can degrade water quality, fuel algae growth, and clog essential components like pumps and filters. Spring cleaning is also the perfect time to inspect your feature for any issues that may have developed during the colder months.
Minnesota’s unique water quality, influenced by local variations in city and well water, adds another layer of complexity. Factors like calcium buildup, iron discoloration, and algae types differ depending on your location. Addressing these challenges early helps maintain the health and appearance of your feature throughout the season.
Spring Cleaning Process for Pondless Waterfalls
Cleaning a pondless waterfall involves clearing out stagnant water, removing debris, and ensuring all components are working properly. Here’s how:
- Drain the Reservoir:
Place a drain pump into the basin to remove winter water, which may contain organic debris and harmful bacteria. - Pressure Wash the Rocks and Gravel:
Use a pressure washer to clean surfaces, focusing on organic material trapped between the stones. Be thorough but avoid damaging the rockwork or using a pressure setting above 2800 psi as there is a chance you could slice the liner. - Clean the Pump Vault and Aquablocks:
Remove gravel around the pump vault to easily get the lid off & expose the Aquablocks under the final waterfall. Flush out debris to ensure water flows freely through the system. - Net out any debris or rocks that have fallen into the pump vault.
- Inspect and Test Components:
- Check pumps, lights, and the auto-fill system.
- Replace or repair malfunctioning parts.
- Reassemble and Refill:
After thoroughly cleaning, refill the reservoir with fresh water. If your feature is connected to a city water supply, consider adding Aquascape Pond Detox (Dechlorinator) to neutralize chlorine and chloramines. - Final touches, plug in, and Enjoy!
- Hide pump vault & Aquablocks.
- Check for any exposed liner and hide.
- Once running, look for any low edges water may escape.
Important Notes for Minnesota Water Quality:
If you notice white calcium buildup or rust-colored iron stains, consult a water treatment expert. These issues often stem from local water conditions and are best addressed proactively with pre-filtration systems which we do not specialize in. You can try using Aquascape Scale Free product as a preventative measure if you know ahead of time you have calcium rich water.
Spring Cleaning Process for Ecosystem Ponds
Pond cleaning is more intricate than cleaning a pondless waterfall, especially if fish are present. Here’s a detailed guide:
- Set Up Holding Tanks for Fish:
- Transfer pond water to temporary tanks using a drain pump. This ensures fish remain in water they’re accustomed to.
- Carefully net and transfer fish as water levels lower. Move slowly and gently—fish are still sluggish after winter, and sudden movements can stress them.
- Drain and Clean the Pond:
- Use a drain pump to remove remaining water.
- Pressure wash stones to remove organic debris. Focus on cleaning thoroughly without over-sanitizing—some beneficial bacteria should remain. This should be done for both the pond and the stream though we typically start with the stream as the pond is draining.
- Rinse Filters Carefully:
- Lightly rinse filter mats in biological filters (e.g., biofalls) as well as the skimmer filter mat. Avoid using high-pressure washers, which can destroy beneficial bacteria colonies as well as the mat itself.
- If your pond has a wetland filter, use the access vault to drain and flush it, removing built-up solids.
- Refill and Stabilize Water:
- Gradually refill the pond with fresh water. Use Aquascape Pond Detox (Dechlorinator) to neutralize harmful chemicals in city water.
- Match the water temperature to the holding tanks before reintroducing fish. Use a thermometer to check, and make changes gradually to prevent shock.
- This is a good time to re-assemble the bio-falls if applicable.
- Reintroduce Fish Carefully:
- Slowly acclimate fish by adding small amounts of pond water to the holding tanks.
- Once temperatures align, gently release the fish back into the pond.
6. Add Beneficial Bacteria:
- Disperse Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria near high-circulation points to promote a balanced ecosystem.
- For auto dosers make sure to prime and activate a new bag/jug of beneficial bacteria or the Maintain solution from Aquacape.
7. Inspect and Finalize:
- Test pumps, lights, and auto-fill systems.
- Check for exposed liner, low edges, or weak structural areas in rockwork. Add gravel or mulch as needed.
8. Connect Pump & Enjoy:
- If pond needs time to fill, install the aerator to ensure water is oxygenated.
- Install Ion-Gen after probe cleaned or replaced (near water flow).
- If pond is full plug in the pump and enjoy the waterfall!
Tools You’ll Need
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- Drain Pump & Hose
- Pressure Washer
- Nets & Holding Tanks for Fish
- Dechlorinator
- Beneficial Bacteria
- Thermometer
- Backpack Blower
- Water Quality Test Kit
- Hard and Soft Rakes
- Large Channel Lock Pliers
- Screwdrivers, Pliers, and Other Hand Tools
- Shovels
- Buckets
- Garden Hose
- Pipe Cutter
- Patch & Repair Kit
- Broom
- Waders or Waterproof Boots
- Rubber Gloves
- Rain Gear (if desired)
Additional Resources
To better understand the process, check out these videos:
Why Choose Pond King Water Gardens?
We’re passionate about helping our clients enjoy their water features to the fullest. By offering detailed care and prioritizing features we’ve built, we ensure our work aligns with the highest standards of quality.
Book Your Spring Cleaning Today!
Spaces are limited—contact us to secure your spot and get your water feature ready for spring! Contact Us