Unfortunately, the water surface of the pond often becomes polluted by floating dust, pollen and blossoms. In addition to a disturbing appearance of the pond, the exchange of oxygen and other gases is disrupted by floating dirt particles. With a skimmer the water surface is continuously suctioned and floating debris disappears into a catch basin. The surface of the pond becomes crystal clear and the view of the fish is fantastic!

Pond care in May: Plant care

Pond plants and water lilies can now be propagated and transplanted. Cut away rotting roots and rinse the healthy roots well. A planting basket that is too small can stunt growth by suffocating the roots. So fill ample plant baskets with special pond soil. Take for water lilies Lelite soil with blue clay. Add a few growth bulbs or Aqua Plant Tabs to the basket to stimulate plant growth. Place the plant in the basket and cover the soil with a layer of pond gravel to prevent leaching. Place the baskets in the pond and pay attention to the proper depth.

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

Pond water and fish

A clear water surface is important for oxygen uptake and for exchanging excess CO2. Therefore, remove surface dirt regularly. A surface extractor or Pond Skimmer provides a good service here. A skimmer with water pump ensures a clean and clear water surface which also makes the fish more visible.

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 of fish length per 1,000 liters of water (for example, 2 fish of 25 cm or 4 fish of 12.5 cm). Bring new fish home quickly and don’t leave them in the transport bag for too long. Add pond water to the transport water to acclimate the fish to their new environment. Use a clean container or bucket for this purpose. Observe them for a while after you release them into the pond and intervene in case of moderate activity, poor appetite and abnormal behavior.

With a water temperature above 15°C, you can feed your fish several times a day. But don’t give them too much, the fish food should be eaten within a few minutes. You can give pellet food alternate with natural food which consists of dried insects. The young pond fish will grow big and strong quickly.