Unsightly Algae and
Unhealthful Fish Conditions
Most of the Year!
- Ponds and water features that only are cleaned once per year (also known as "spring-cleanouts") contain a full year's worth of sludge and muck that consists of detritus, mulm, fish waste, decaying organics, and algae
- As organics decay, toxic hydrogen sulfide gas is released causing foul odors and causes harm to fish gills
- Decaying organics feed algae
- Sludge is anaerobic (void of oxygen) which encourages harmful parasites and pathogens to proliferate
- Anaerobic conditions encourage harmful Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacteria to proliferate
- Sludge is a breeding ground for Branchiura (Fish Lice), Lernaea (Anchor worm), Gyrodactylus (Skin fluke) and Dactylogyrus (Gill fluke) as well as harmful protozoa - Trichodina, Costia, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich, or White Spot), and Chilodonella.
More Bad News About "Annual" Cleanings
- "Annual" cleaning - commonly referred to as "spring-cleanouts" requires the catching and removal of all koi and pond fish which raises their stress level, which lowers their immune systems
- "Annual" cleaning requires a fish holding tank, a net for the tank, an aeration system for the holding tank, a pump to drain the pond, discharge hose, a pressure washer, and a net to catch the fish - all adding to the cost of the pond
- "Annual" cleaning is a leading cause of koi and pond fish disease and death throughout the year
Harmful to the Environment:
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"Annual" cleaning requires pumping all the water out of the pond
- Large volumes of dirty pond and water feature water rushing from a pipe causes erosion, floods properties, and introduces harmful pathogens into stormwater systems
- It is unlawful in most communities to drain dirty pond-cleanout water into the public storm systems
- Completely draining, pressure washing, and re-filling ponds and water features consume tremendous amounts of water - adding up to higher costs of ownership
- "Annual" cleanings destroy the ecosystem - and requires a re-starting of the ecosystem every year
Annual Pond Cleanings Cause Algae and Fish Disease:
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"Annually" cleaned ponds have a buildup of sludge and organics throughout year that cause excessive algae and unhealthful conditions for koi and pond fish
- Sick, dying, or dead koi and pond fish cause angry owners - contractors, web sites, and pond stores that recommend "annual" cleanings (spring-cleanouts) cause angry owners when their beloved fish get sick and/or die as a result of "annual" cleaning
- "Annual" cleanings (spring-cleanouts) cause the ecosystem to crash - resulting in rapid algae blooms and ammonia spiking that leads to even more fish health problems
