Why “Annual” Cleaning a Pond is BAD

Algae covered pond bottoms are very unsightly
Algae covered pond bottom becomes toxic to your beloved koi and pond fish

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 pond cleanings require you to catch and remove all your fishAnnual pond cleanings require a seperate fish holding tank
  • "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:

  • Annual pond cleanings require a sludge pump and discharge pipeDirty pond water must be pumped somewhere
    "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: 

  • Annual cleaned ponds are very unhealthy for koi fishAnnually cleaned ponds cause fish health problems and disease
    "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
Routine lawn maintenance is better than annual lawn maintenanceAnnual lawn maintenance is a huge and messy job!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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