Finally all of us can breath easier and say with certainty that winter is finally over and spring is here! Your grass is beginning to come to life, your garden plants are starting to grow, and now it is time to get your pond ready!

1. Inspect Your Pond
Before you start up your pond you will need to inspect it to check for damage that may have occurred over the winter. If any damage has occurred over the winter months. This is the time to make any repairs that are needed.

 2. Clean Your Pond
You may have taken the time in the fall to prepare your pond for the winter months, however; it may still have been affected by the winter season and will more than likely need to be cleaned again for spring. You may find leaf debris, and other matter left over from your pond plants, as well as some sediment at the bottom of your pond. Remove as much as you can or use a pond vacuum. You can use a Microbe-Lift Spring/Summer Cleaner to help with this.

3. Start Your Pump
Like many of us with a pond, you may have had your pump off all winter; you will need to start it back up as the water temperature begins to increase to 50 degrees. If you haven’t already then you should start your pump now. It is best to start the pump up when you will be at home for a few hours which will allow you to monitor the pond to ensure that the water is going where you want it to flow back into the pond. If you are in need of a new pump, we carry a complete line of Aquascape Pond Pumps in a variety of sizes.

4. Start Your Filter
It is always best to give your filter a proper cleaning prior to starting it up. Ensure that you replace the filter pads so that you will have a great season for your pond. When replacing your filter pads, be sure to apply Microbe Lift Filter Gel. The gel puts the beneficial bacteria back into your filter pads much quicker than waiting for it to build up naturally.

5. Replace Your UV Bulb
This is the perfect time to replace your UV sterilizer bulb, and always ensure that you have a back up bulb available.

6. Test Your Water
Now is the perfect time to test your pond water. You will want to pay particular attention to ammonia and nitrite levels in your pond. Adding a recommended dose of Microbe-Lift PL will help keep a healthy pond environment and reduce ammonia and nitrogen levels. You should also test your PH levels to ensure that it is between 6.8 and 7.5.

7. Condition Your Fish
Now is the perfect time to make sure you protect your fish. Since fish are susceptible to having health problems in the spring, there are a couple of things you can do to protect them. Add pond salt to keep pathogens and disease at bay

8. Feeding Your Fish
As we get into spring, your fish will be ready to start their daily diet again. Make sure the water temperature is constantly above 50 degrees before you begin to start feeding the fish again. Tetra Pond Sticks are easy to digest and are healthy nutrition for goldfish and koi.

9. Get Your Plants Ready
Once the water temperature is in the 50 degree range you can add some more plants to your pond. This is also a great time to divide any of your existing pond plants. You do not want your plants to be crowded as they potentially could limit their ability to grow and blossom.

10. Sit back and enjoy!