Maintenance May

The prospects are very good this year even though the temperature is not right yet this month. Spring is in full swing. You can see, hear and smell that when you walk into the garden. You can also see everything growing in the pond, so it is time for pond maintenance in May. In this period, you can introduce new fish and take care of the pond plants.

Unfortunately, the water surface of the pond is often polluted by floating dust, pollen, and blossom. Aside from an unattractive view of the pond, the exchange of oxygen and other gases is also disrupted by floating debris. With a skimmer, the water surface is continuously drawn off and floating debris disappears into a sump. The surface of the pond becomes crystal clear and the view of the fish is fantastic!

Plants maintenance

Pond plants and water lilies can now be propagated and transplanted. Our advice is to cut away rotting roots and rinse the healthy ones. A plant basket that is too small can stunt growth by suffocating the roots. So fill large plant baskets with special pond soil. For water lilies, use Lelite soil with blue clay. Add a few growth spheres or Aqua Plant Tabs to the basket to stimulate plant growth. Place the plant in the basket and cover the earth with a layer of pond gravel to prevent washing out. Place the baskets in the pond and pay attention to the correct depth.

Tip:
Use floating plant baskets for beautifully overgrown floating islands in the pond.

Water lilies are not only beautiful but also very useful for the pond. They absorb nutrients from the water, thereby reducing algae. The floating leaves block out sunlight and provide a hiding place for pond fish.

Tip:
Check the water lily by squeezing the root bulb. A soft tuber indicates rotting. Place young water lilies in shallow water and move them to deeper water in winter.

Pond water and fish

A clear water surface is important for the absorption of oxygen and the exchange of excess CO2. It is important to remove dirt on the surface regularly. A surface suction device or Pond Skimmer is helpful here. A skimmer with a water pump ensures a clean and clear water surface, which also makes it easier to see the fish.

If there is still “room” for new fish in your pond, you can expand the fish stock. The guideline is a maximum of 50 cm fish length per 1000 liters of water (e.g. 2 fish of 25 cm or 4 fish of 12.5 cm). Bring new fish home quickly and do not leave them in the transport bag for too long. Add pond water to the transport water to allow the fish to get used to their new environment. Use a clean container or bucket for this. Observe them for a while after releasing them into the pond and intervene in case of moderate activity, poor appetite, and abnormal behavior.

At a water temperature above 15°C, you can feed your fish several times a day. But do not give them too much, the fish food should be eaten within a few minutes. However, you can alternate pellet food with natural food consisting of dried insects. The young pond fish will quickly grow big and strong.