Pond vacuums are a pond's best friend when it comes to keeping your pond clean and your water sparkling clear.
The job of a pond vacuum is to remove the biological matter from the bottom of the pond to decrease the amount of nutrients in the water from decay.
Decaying biological matter also reduces the amount of available dissolved oxygen in the water, depriving the fish of vital oxygen and creating a water condition ripe for algae blooms.
When selecting a pond vacuum, it is important to understand your needs.
The size of your vacuum should commensurate with the size of your pond; the larger the pond, the larger the vacuum.
Size also plays a role in determining whether to get a power model or a mechanical one.
The suction of the vacuum should be strong enough to agitate the gravel below in order to remove as much debris as possible.
Depending on the size and weight of the individual gravel rocks, the vacuum may need to be larger than you originally thought.
Pond vacuuming should occur, minimally twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, but depending on the location of your pond, you may wish to vacuum more often, especially if the pond is under trees or is frequently exposed to grass clippings or other debris.
You should plan to spend anywhere from one to several hours vacuuming to ensure a thorough clean.
Proper pond maintenance will pay off and reward you with crystal clear, healthy water for your fish to thrive in.