A professional pond cleanout removes accumulated leaves, sludge, and debris to help maintain a healthy pond ecosystem. A typical cleanout involves draining the pond, temporarily relocating fish, cleaning rocks and filtration equipment, and refilling the pond.
What happens during a pond cleanout?
- Drain the pond: The contractor pumps water out of the pond, saving some of the existing water for temporarily holding fish.
- Safely relocate fish: Fish are carefully moved into a temporary holding container with pond water and aeration.
- Remove debris: Leaves, sludge, and other accumulated organic debris are removed from the pond.
- Wash rocks and gravel: The contractor rinses or pressure washes the rocks and gravel to remove excess buildup while preserving some beneficial algae.
- Clean filtration equipment: The skimmer, BioFalls filter, filter mats, and pump are cleaned and inspected as applicable.
- Refill the pond: The pond is refilled, and appropriate water treatments are added to remove harmful chlorine and chloramines.
- Return the fish: Fish are gradually acclimated to the new water temperature and carefully returned to the pond.
What else should I know?
- A typical cleanout may take several hours or most of a day, depending on the pond's size, condition, and accessibility.
- The contractor may identify equipment problems, damaged components, or recommended repairs while the pond is drained.
- Additional services, such as plant trimming, equipment replacement, or repairs, may involve additional charges.
Before scheduling, ask your contractor what is included in the cleanout service and whether any additional work requires your approval.
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