How to Properly Use a Pond Vacuum

If you have a fish pond in your yard, you’re aware of the sheer enjoyment you get out of it. You and your family have probably spent a lot of time simply relaxing and just watching the fish playing in the water. However, you’re likely also aware that a good fish pond won’t stay that way if left untended. Unless you keep it clean, the water quality can deteriorate and even become toxic for the fish. This is where a pond vacuum comes in. Follow these tips so you’ll know the proper procedure for using this type of vacuum correctly.

Use the Vacuum at the Right Time

First of all, remember that the cleaner your pond is—or the better the water quality—the healthier your koi will be. Diseases start with a drop in water quality. You’ll want to use the pond vacuum at the correct time of year. Generally, the best time of year to vacuum out your pond would be between the end of summer (August) and early autumn (September through October) because the amphibian population will be finished with breeding and the dragonflies and water beetles will be in the flying stage and can safely move on to another pond.

Keep the Size of Your Pond in Mind

The type of vacuum you need depends mostly on the size of your pond. For smaller ponds, you can get by nicely with just a hose-powered model, but this type of vacuum is a bit less efficient than a powered vacuum. For a larger pond, you should strongly consider getting a pump-powered model to handle easy removal of built-up sludge and debris. Two excellent pond vacuums people prefer are:

https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/pondmax-pv350l-pond-vacuum?search=pond%20vac&category_id=0

and

https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/oase-pondovac-4?search=pond%20vac&category_id=0

Both can be found here at Aquatic Warehouse.

If you aren’t sure which one you need, reach out to Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted pond and aquarium supplier, to help you choose the right vacuum for your pond.

Understand the Complete Procedure

To do an effective job of vacuuming up the pond sludge, there are several steps you’ll need to follow:

• Place the pond vacuum a safe distance away from the pond.
• Place the discharge hose in an area where the dirty pond water should be directed.
• Attach the discharge hose to the collection container and apply the nozzle.
• Insert the hose nozzle into the water and vacuum the waste from the bottom of the pond. Make sure to vacuum the pond with deliberate and precise movements until the pond vacuum automatically shuts off. 

Using a pond vacuum should improve the pond’s water quality little by little until the process is complete. Repeat the process until you’ve completely removed all of the sludge from the bottom of the pond. If you’ve never used a pond vacuum before, don’t fret. Operating a pond vacuum is very similar to operating a regular household vacuum, so you should be able to learn the ropes in no time and then be able to enjoy a nice clean fish pond once again. By using this technique, you not only get rid of sludge buildup, but you also improve water quality with the small water change you are doing in the meantime.

Providing a clean environment is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your fish continue to thrive. When you choose from among the high-quality pond vacuums available at Aquatic Warehouse, you’ll be confident in the knowledge that you’re providing a healthy home for your beloved fish. If you have any questions regarding pond vacuums or other pond supplies, contact our pond and aquarium experts at 858-467-9297.