Why “Annual” Cleaning a Pond is BAD

Unsightly Algae
and Unhealthful Conditions for Your Fish
Most of the Year!

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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.

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"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

"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

"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