End of Season Advice for Pondkeepers
This article covers one of the most important stages in the Pondkeepers year, certainly as far as my own ponds are concerned, and that is the œSeason Shutdown. Before I commence, I am aware that many pondkeepers run their equipment continually and I am not for one minute saying that this practice is incorrect but for me and many others, this is the time to rest the pond and all its inhabitants. I have heard many contrasting views but at a time when temperature is the most important consideration, I consider that the movement of water out of the pond brings a chilling effect and that is contrary to my and my fishes requirements.
This period also allows me to carry out much needed maintenance, cleaning filters, servicing other equipment, cutting back plants and allowing my fish to rest in inclement conditions. All fish slow down considerably through the winter months and the owner should certainly refrain from feeding, to do so will cause digestive problems which may prove fatal. They will come to no harm fending for themselves until warmer temperatures return. I would then recommend that initially a wheatgerm diet is commenced before moving onto higher protein food.
Autumn time is therefore a time of repair and replenishment and it should be started by ensuring that the Gardener himself is prepared for the tasks ahead by dressing sensibly with old but warm clothes, it is also advisable to arm yourself with some good quality pond gloves such as those made by Stanley or Briers. These are available from Keen Gardener and will ensure that you remain clean and healthy when dealing with the mucky elements of Pond Maintenance.
Lets get started! Firstly switch off all equipment and gently lift the pump, it will no doubt have a good coating of algae and probably have an accumulation of sludge within its cage. It should be washed away and the algae removed; I would suggest using a green plastic kitchen scourer which I find ideal for the task. Then place the pump in a recently mixed solution of Interpet Pond Pump Cleanerwhich will bring it back to new and dissolve any build up of debris within the pump. Flush the pump out with a hose and then wrap it in horticultural fleece and a plastic bin liner to protect it from the frost. I leave the pump safely beside the pond ready to reinstall it in the spring. By doing this I do not have to unplug the cable from my switchbox nor dismantle the Cypriflex hose.
Filters are the most demanding chore and the type of filter you have will determine the amount of time needed to complete the job. The Cylindrical Bioforce Filters should be stripped out carefully and everything washed with clean water. At this juncture it is wise to check all sponges, seals and œO rings for any wear. The seals should be clean and flexible so gently tension them between your forefingers and if you can see any cracks in the rubber, replace with new ones. These seals take a mighty punishment during the year and need to be in tip top condition. I would strongly recommend that one of the appropriate Annual Service Kits are purchased as they contain all the necessary consumables for your filter including a new UVC tube. The tube must be replaced every 12 months to maintain its effectiveness.
The more traditional box filters are treated in much the same way and here again I employ a scourer to remove stubborn debris and renew any damaged sponges and seals. The most demanding task I have is to clean my brush filter which you may recall I manufactured myself a year or so ago. There are a large number of brushes suspended on supporting plastic pipe rods secured to the tank walls. I lift out each row and flush with a hose to remove all the debris. Whilst this is time consuming, it reflects on how good this filter is and once done I can expect it to perform as well next year. Unfortunately Hozelock do not make kits for traditional box filters but it is advisable to carry spares of these items which can be purchased from Hozelock direct.
If you have a standalone UVC then it should be unplugged and taken inside to prevent frost damage. While it is decommissioned, clean the inside thoroughly, change the bulb, wash the protective glass sleeve and inspect for damage. Remember to œflex and inspect the rubber seals and replace if in doubt.
Finally I wrap the air pump in fleece and a plastic bag after first dismantling the air stone to clean and put inside for next year. It is wise at this stage to inspect the hoses to ensure they are flexible and free from damage. In the event of replacement, use Hozelock Cypriflex hose. I firmly believe that this hose is the most flexible available to the pondkeeper so dont be tempted by cheaper varieties, these are usually more rigid and will crack after a season or so.
That completes the equipment overall. In my garden it takes a weekend but it is time well spent as I am now primed for spring.
Needless to say if any equipment is suspect or beyond repair then replacement now is often the best course of action as you can take advantage of End of Season Sales. Special Offers are often available at Keengardener.co.uk so please look regularly.
Unfortunately this equipment review is not the end of the chores, especially if you have deciduous trees in your vicinity. Throughout autumn, leaves are a constant nuisance to the pondkeeper. They are not only unsightly, but can also cause water quality problems if allowed to accumulate in the pond. Fortunately Keen Gardener stocks a number of items to assist you in your battle for a healthy clean pond...
The first in the armory may in fact already be in place if you have been troubled by herons and that is a pond net. Whilst small leaves will escape the mesh, larger ones are retained and can be removed. The nets, made by Interpet, are available in a large array of sizes and come complete with fixing pegs. There are two colours, black or clear, and although initially they are quite noticeable, one soon learns to look through them. It is certainly preferable to having a pond full of leaves or, worse still, a satisfied heron! As for the leaves which have penetrated the net, you are best advised to arm yourself with a net and extract them whilst they are still afloat. Leaves will usually sink within 24 hours of landing on water and they are very difficult to net once this happens.
May I now introduce you to the Wolf Net and Telescopic Handle for this task. I specifically recommend these as the net is both robust and flexible and is just the right size to get in all those nooks and crannies. The handle extends from 117cm to 200cm, is made from aluminium for lightness and longevity and, again will assist in reaching difficult spots. There is no reason why this handle and net pairing will not last for many years which will justify the expense, as these German made tools are not cheap. As I have already mentioned, get in the habit of leaf fishing on a regular basis as they are easily caught if still on the surface.
My final comments revolve around equipment that can be used all year but best suited to small to medium size ponds, and one of those is the pond vac. There are 2 main types; the Hozelock CypriVac which is a hand operated device, suitable really for only small ponds, and its powered and more effective brother, the Pond Vac. My own ponds are too big to consider using these tools but Keen Gardener has many customers who have both these types and swear by them. Whilst the cheaper version can operate to depths of 3 feet and extract debris up to 8mm, it is outperformed by the electric version as you would expect. This is compact and light, consumes just 80 watts and has 4 x 0.4 metre sections to make it versatile and of course less effort to operate. A session hoovering the pond floor with a vac will always benefit the pond at autumn time, though its operational limits are often exceeded when considering the large pond.
This completes my own Task List, though I am conscious that there may be more depending on your own set up. However, the winter frosts will soon be upon us and any extended cold spell will cause the pond to freeze over. There a number of additional basic rules to consider and I make no apology for emphasizing them.
1) Refrain from banging the ice as this sends shock waves through the water which will stress the fish.
2) Keep children and pets off the ice for obvious reasons, I recall the occasion 2 or 3 years ago when my own Miniature Schnauzer was tempted to try out his Torvill and Dean Dance routine. The ice gave way and he was left isolated some 6 feet from the bank. Fortunately my sister is law was in the vicinity and she quickly kicked off her shoes and walked into the icy depths to rescue him. He was indeed a grateful Schnauzer!
3) Place one or two under inflated plastic footballs in the water before the frosts arrive and they will keep a small area free from ice, allowing bad air to escape.
4) If you are willing to buy a pond heater and pay for the running costs then this will supercede the above. They are available from specialist shops and are quite effective but I would argue that they are excessive for the usual short usage period.