Bob,

Although I don't seem to follow my own advice often enough, I think the
*theory* is to try to keep stuff from getting to the bottom of the pond in
the first place.

That is, skim off leaves (or put netting over the pond at least part of the
year), use special aquatic potting stuff rather than dirt for plants in the
pond, etc. My biggest mistake -- so far, that is! -- was to take
impatiens & stick them in the holes of the bricks that form the frog & toad
"stairways" out of the pond; I'm beginning to wonder if I'll *ever* get all
the vermiculite out of the pond, and I've already used the shop vac on it
once this summer. (Most times I just pump water out, then refill from the
hose, but I have well water & two little goldfish, not "real" fish.)






"Bob Knight" wrote in message
...
Newbee ponder here.... I was wondering if it's overkill to try to keep the
bottom of the pond free of debrie and stuff that might settle there. The
max
depth is around 2.5 feet. Should I get out the old shopvac and start
cleaning?

Bob