How to keep your pond water clear

Maintaining crystal clear water is any pond owner goal. Of course, you want to ensure the health of your fish and plants but also, no-one wants unsightly pea soup in their back garden! So our World of Water experts have rounded up their top tips to share with you and hopefully, equipped with this knowledge and some dedication, your pond water will look its best.

Pond cleaning checklists

As part of your pond keeping duties, you need to keep your pond clean in order to avoid water clarity issues. You can do this by tending to pond plants to ensure they aren’t overgrown, netting surface debris and not overfeeding your fish.

Keeping on top of debris before it has a chance to decay will also help. This Hozelock Pond Grabber is also a great tool to have by your side.

Every autumn you’ll also need to deep clean your pond. The most effective and convenient way to do this is to use a pond vacuum which suck up debris such as fallen leaves, fish waste and blanket weed. We’ve written a FAQ on pond vacuums which you may find useful.

Keep a healthy pond balance

Fish population

Stocking levels will vary depending on filtration and type of fish you wish to keep, however a general rule for stocking is 25 cm of fish per square metre of surface area or 55cms per 1000 litres volume. When stocking your pond, keep in mind your fish will continue to grow and breed and an overpopulated pond will lead to excessive fish waste and imbalanced, unhealthy, water.

Don't over feed your pond fish

Over feeding your fish is probably the one main causes of poor water quality. It is likely not only to cause water clarity issues due to algae thriving on any excess nutrients in the water, but it is also can cause high levels of toxins directly affecting your fishes health. Read our easy to follow guide on feeding your pond fish.

Have a balance of pond plants

Pond plants play an essential role in maintaining the pond health, they absorb nutrients which could otherwise feed the algae that turns your water green and allows blanket weed to grow. They also help to reduce light levels in the water, preventing unwanted algae bloom. Read our guide to pond plants.

Maintaining your pond filter

A biological pond filter typically will only need maintaining a few times a year, according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

Tips: If you need to rinse your filter media, never use chlorinated tap water as it may kill the beneficial bacteria which colonising your filter. This helpful bacteria plays a vital roll in breaking down the harmful toxins in the pond water. We recommend using a bucket of your pond water to "gently rinse" your filter media just enough to allow water to flow through freely. (You should only thoroughly clean biological filter media if you shut your filter down for the winter). 

After maintenance, or in the spring and when starting a biological filter for the first time, add a biological additive to kick start the biological filtration process in your pond filter.

A biological pond filter must run 24 hours a day to be effective  

For more information on pond filters and UV clarifiers you can have a read of our dedicated post.

Get to know Pond Water Treatments

We stock a wide range of treatments to solve any water quality issues you may have. We advise that you always have a Water Test Kit to hand which you can pick up in-store at World of Water.

We’ve highlighted some of the most common water issues and solutions to treat them;

Common Pond Algae Problems and Treatments

Pond Blanketweed

Long hair-like fibres that either float on top or are submerged within. 

Pond Duckweed

Small free-floating aquatic plants that form a carpet on your pond surface. 

Pond Green Water

A bloom of algae, which feeds on the excess nutrients created from fish faeces, uneaten food and rotting vegetation. Look to invest in a biological filter & Ultra Violet Clarifier system, short term you can treat with pond treatments. 

Pond Water Quality Problems and Treatments

Pond Sludge

A build- up of dead and decaying matter on the sides and bottom of your pond. 

Pond Excess Foam

Unsightly foam and froth on the surface of your pond which is due to an excess of protein in the water. 

Pond Dechlorinator

A must for all new ponds and refills, removes harmful chlorides 

As always our friendly expert staff are here to help you keep the best pond possible. Find your nearest centre here.