Spring Clean Up?

Looking outside its hard to believe that there were 5 to 7 foot drifts of snow last week. From blizzard to 6o something in a week, thats midwest weather for you. As far as water gardens are considered, these warm streaks make you want to get in and do some work. While most people do a thorough cleaning in the Spring, think about a light cleaning in the spring and a big cleaning in the fall. Why?
This time of year your fish are coming off of a long period of not eating and near hibernation. They could be sick or simply more susceptible to disease in this weakened state. Now, if you have no fish or bring them in during the winter, you have no issues.
When ever you do a cleaning there is going to be some anaerobic bacteria and other nasty stuff that gets stirred up. This gunk has amonia and other harmful stuff for fish. Now this is always in the pond, but when it gets stirred up, combined with weak fish, there can be damage done to gills and even kill your fish.
If you do want to do a thorough cleaning this spring there are a few things you can do to limit the stress on your fish. Take your fish out before you start to clean, like I said before, when you stir that gunk up there can be bad side-effects. Fill your fish container (at least partially) with old pond water. This will limit the likelihood of shocking the fish due to temprature or water quality changes. And following that line of thought, make sure to acclimate them to the new water just as you would when you buy a new fish. It may be their home pond, but its completely new water.

Link List Added

I just added a link list that includes the best of the best in the nation. If these guys can't help you, you're probably beyond help. Hopefully I've covered a pretty good geographic area and at least on of them is close to you. If not, check the member list on the NAPP page. Well, I've got to get back to shoveling the four feet drifts in my front yard. Talk to you soon.