Deep cleaning pond?

[Backyard koi]

ASAP HELP! Is it recommended to periodically have a “deep cleaning” of pond removing all algae from liner?? Had a reputable pond repair person recommend power washing all algae off liner & rocks including pulling 12 large koi & 20+ goldfish out of my 5,800 gal pond ~13 years old to clean it. Price seems high$1,700 & I’m concerned removing all algae may destroy balance in the pond? I do you have a problem with some string algae, but water quality & filtering keeps in check.
THANKS!!

 

[Jhn]

No do not power wash your pond, it will destroy the biofilm. Algae can be starved out by plants and proper circulation.

 

[mrsclem]

NOT! Removing all the algae from the liner is removing all the beneficial stuff! You would be starting over from scratch. Why have a total cleaning done if you don't have a problem? String algae can be removed and I'm sure your fish are enjoying snacking on it. Pond companies do cleanings so they can stay in business. They clean your pond, throw off the balance and then sell you hundreds of dollars of chemicals to fix a problem they caused.

 

[poconojoe]

If it were me... if the fish are fine and water quality was good, (I think you said that). I would leave well enough alone. Plus $1,700... that's a good sum of money.

 

[Mmathis]

Nope. No reason to power wash the pond. That algae and other crud is good for the pond’s ecosystem.

 

[bagsmom]

No. As everyone else has said, that is all a part of the balanced ecosystem. I used my string algae remover (aka toilet brush) to gently scrub a little excess algae off some of the grungy rocks this spring. Entertainment for the fish!!!!! They thought it was the best thing to ever happen to them! All the rest of the algae mostly died off when the plants started absorbing excess nutrients. It doesn't look pristine, but it's not supposed to.

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome @Backyard koi ! You've gotten the answer you were looking for (I hope!) but I just wanted to say welcome to the GPF and we hope you'll stick around! And we'd LOVE to see pictures of your pond!

 

[sissy]

NEVER EVER CLEAN IT LIKE THAT you are starting over and cleaning it that way can cause holes in your liner .look on youtube the horror stories

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the group and do not power wash your pond.

 

[herzausstahl]

My guess is he wanted to fill his pockets with $1700 dollars of yours. To be fair I'd ask yourself what's went wrong with the 13 yrs you've had your pond to encourage you to do this, I'm going to guess very little so I would ignore the advice & trust your gut on this one.

 

[Mmathis]

@Backyard koi It would be helpful if you would go over to our “introductions” topic and tell us more about your pond and its set-up.

 

[carolinaguy]

The only pond type that gets power washed is an aquascapes pond. The reason they have to be gutted and cleaned down to the liner is because of the design. No bottom drains and massive gravel filters. No place for the koi waste to be removed in the design. They should be cleaned every two years AND are not compatible with higher density fish populations. I don’t know how many aquascapes ponds we have converted when the owner decides to have more fish in the pond. We even had one that developed red tide in the gravel filter. Fish were dying by the day with few lesions.

A bottom drained pond will become mature in about two years with a beautiful inch thick coating of algae, flora and fauna that filters and feels like lush carpet on your bare feet. That’s what you want.

 

[Lisak1]

not compatible with higher density fish populations

That's the only part of that comment I'll agree with. An eco-system pond relies on a well balanced system, which includes maintaining a low fish load. I have an Aquascape style pond that has never been power washed, never been "gutted" or cleaned down to the liner. In seven years we've never lost a fish to disease.

Knowing what kind of pond one desires to keep - a garden pond or a dedicated koi pond - is the first important decision a potential pond owner should ask themselves as it definitely matters how the pond is built.

 

[carolinaguy]

That's the only part of that comment I'll agree with. An eco-system pond relies on a well balanced system, which includes maintaining a low fish load. I have an Aquascape style pond that has never been power washed, never been "gutted" or cleaned down to the liner. In seven years we've never lost a fish to disease.

Knowing what kind of pond one desires to keep - a garden pond or a dedicated koi pond - is the first important decision a potential pond owner should ask themselves as it definitely matters how the pond is built.

I’m only repeating what our aquascapes contractor in our club has stated. They should be deep cleaned every two years. He builds them and just cleaned his 30,000 gallon aquascapes pond this year after waiting three years. His gravel filter is nine feet deep. He used a backhoe to remove the gravel and boulders. That’s not my opinion. It’s an aquascapes contractors stated guidance. I have nothing personally against an aquscapes pond. It’s just one of the eight different types of ponds.
I have been to a remarkable aquascapes pond, 24,000 gallons with the biggest gravel filter I have ever seen. It’s in perfect condition and has never been deep cleaned in 15 years. That said I’ve had to help a number of aquascapes owners who had to convert because of high infection rates and high mortality, but they also decided to add very large schools of koi and operated at the 20 to 40 gallon per pound levels that this type of pond was never designed for. No offense intended.

 

[addy1]

My pond is basic, filtered with a big bog. I quit cleaning the bottom of the pond years ago, nothing ever built up. The only bog cleaning is removing excess plants and dead plants in the fall and spring.

Still running great 8 years after being built.

 

[Lisak1]

No offense intended.

Not offended at all! I believe that's exactly what you heard and here's why - pond clean outs are the bread and butter of ANY - not just Aquascape - pond builder's business. You build one (or if you're lucky - two or three) ponds for a customer and that's the last you hear from them. If you get them on a regular clean out schedule, you have an income stream. I don't fault them for it as it's a business model that works. And honestly, many people WANT the "new pond" look of sparkling clean rocks and fresh clean gravel or they don't want to mess with their pond at all. Some contractor's have customers on weekly or monthly schedules - they show up and groom plants, add products, check water levels, etc - all well and good for those who wish to have that kind of service. Most of us here are hand's on pond people who love the messing around that goes with the pond. Also great.

But breaking a pond down for cleaning is not necessary and causes way more problems than it solves. (New pond syndrome, anyone?) They will also sell you algaecides and bacteria in a bottle and all kinds of other products designed to keep your pond healthy - again, I get it. It's just not necessary. And unfortunately it's knowing that these ponds are "supposed to" be power washed every spring that leads to the belief that they cannot sustain healthy fish because of the way they are constructed. Like you, I have visited ponds that have not been broken down in 10, 15, 25 years. My own pond is in it's 7th season - never cleaned, never changed the water, gravel bog is my only filtration, a handful of big koi, all healthy, happy fish.

I have loads of respect for what Aquascape has done and is still doing to promote the garden pond hobby. As you said - it's a particular kind of pond with a specific purpose. When people start trying to use it for high density fish loads they will run into trouble unless they make modifications.

but they also decided to add very large schools of koi and operated at the 20 to 40 gallon per pound levels that this type of pond was never designed for.

Exactly this - build the pond for the purpose you intend to use it, and you'll be a happy pond owner!

 

[carolinaguy]

Thank you for your comment. Totally agree.