We have a small (2.4 m dia. by 0.5 m deep) pond in our back garden and it is
full of weed and lillies so there's one or two fish the heron missed.
Although the pond
was first made some years ago and had been earth filled, 4 years years ago I
dug out all the earth and lined the concrete (cracked) with a pond liner.
Tufa to below the water level and over the concrete sides holds the pond
liner in place.

We are hoping to clean up the pond so I am seeking advice and
recommendations for a vacuum cleaner/filter to clear the muck from the
bottom.

Regards

Geoff

"Geoff" wrote
We have a small (2.4 m dia. by 0.5 m deep) pond in our back garden and it
is
full of weed and lillies so there's one or two fish the heron missed.
Although the pond
was first made some years ago and had been earth filled, 4 years years ago
I
dug out all the earth and lined the concrete (cracked) with a pond liner.
Tufa to below the water level and over the concrete sides holds the pond
liner in place.

We are hoping to clean up the pond so I am seeking advice and
recommendations for a vacuum cleaner/filter to clear the muck from the
bottom.

I use a swimming pool pump and strainer as a vacuum for my pond but with
yours being a fare bit smaller it would throw all the water onto your lawn
before you got back after turning on the power. :-)
The smaller hand pumps etc, don't work well so it's probably better and
easier in the long run to catch the fish, empty the pond ,especially if you
have a pond pump to do the work, and then get in and scoop out all the muck
with a plastic bucket and dustpan. Filthy two person job but you expect
that. Then refill and replant your plants keeping only the best bits.
A filter will keep your water "sweet" and clear but you will still get
solids building up on the bottom, leaves, waste, and general detritus. Any
good watergarden shop will advise the correct size for your pond, and
remember, it works through the action of bacteria so it shouldn't be turned
off for more than a short while once started. If it does get turned off for
a long time (e.g. pump breaks) then you have to thoroughly clean it out
before restarting as the bacteria will have died. Probably need a good
cleanout every early spring anyway.
Give your fish somewhere to hide, a cave or upturned clay flowerpot with a
chunk out the side or something.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...

"Geoff" wrote
We have a small (2.4 m dia. by 0.5 m deep) pond in our back garden and it
is
full of weed and lillies so there's one or two fish the heron missed.
Although the pond
was first made some years ago and had been earth filled, 4 years years
ago I
dug out all the earth and lined the concrete (cracked) with a pond liner.
Tufa to below the water level and over the concrete sides holds the pond
liner in place.

We are hoping to clean up the pond so I am seeking advice and
recommendations for a vacuum cleaner/filter to clear the muck from the
bottom.

I use a swimming pool pump and strainer as a vacuum for my pond but with
yours being a fare bit smaller it would throw all the water onto your lawn
before you got back after turning on the power. :-)
The smaller hand pumps etc, don't work well so it's probably better and
easier in the long run to catch the fish, empty the pond ,especially if
you have a pond pump to do the work, and then get in and scoop out all the
muck with a plastic bucket and dustpan. Filthy two person job but you
expect that. Then refill and replant your plants keeping only the best
bits.
A filter will keep your water "sweet" and clear but you will still get
solids building up on the bottom, leaves, waste, and general detritus. Any
good watergarden shop will advise the correct size for your pond, and
remember, it works through the action of bacteria so it shouldn't be
turned off for more than a short while once started. If it does get turned
off for a long time (e.g. pump breaks) then you have to thoroughly clean
it out before restarting as the bacteria will have died. Probably need a
good cleanout every early spring anyway.
Give your fish somewhere to hide, a cave or upturned clay flowerpot with a
chunk out the side or something.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London



That was going to be my advice as well. FWIW, noticed all the fish seemingly
active near the top of my pond today so put a bit of food in and they ate it
all, pretty unusual for November.

Not so sure about a cleanout in spring, I tend do do mine every 3 or 4
years,and do it in early winter so I dont disturb frogs and such.

--
Tumbleweed

email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com

"Tumbleweed" wrote ...


That was going to be my advice as well. FWIW, noticed all the fish
seemingly active near the top of my pond today so put a bit of food in and
they ate it all, pretty unusual for November.

I tend to feed mine (sinking winter food) unless the weather is going to be
very cold for a while but it's not advice one should give to a novice or
inexperienced fishkeeper as undigested food rotting in the gut of a fish is
lethal come spring. For Goldfish which are never that big there is usually
enough live food in the pond if they are hungry.

Not so sure about a cleanout in spring, I tend do do mine every 3 or 4
years,and do it in early winter so I dont disturb frogs and such.

I too do mine in late autumn early winter to get rid of as much leaf litter
as possible but I also do a thorough job (the 4 filter tanks as well, filthy
job) come spring to get the pond ready for the coming "hot" season. :-)

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

My thanks to all who advised.

I'll think on the answers but emptying and refilling seems the best option
considering the size of the pond and I'll do it hoping there'll be plenty of
rain to refill all my water butts afterwards.

Geoff

"Geoff" wrote in message
...
My thanks to all who advised.

I'll think on the answers but emptying and refilling seems the best option
considering the size of the pond and I'll do it hoping there'll be plenty
of rain to refill all my water butts afterwards.

Geoff

As Sacha has said :

Glug - glug !

Get it done now - build your ark next job !!


Pete
www.thecanalshop.com