Removing Fall Debris From the Pond
Use Pond Netting, Skimmers in the Fish Pond to Help Filter the Water
Sep 24, 2009
It’s fall. Leaves are dropping from the trees, and the air is crisp. It’s a lovely time of year to sit by the garden pond.
But what is this? Leaves on the pond? Glorious, yes. There is nothing more beautiful than a red leaf floating in dark water. However, while a leaf or two provides food and shelter for pond invertebrates, too many leaves and other organic materials can decompose in the pond over the fall and winter months. In a small pond, these can cause an unhealthy build up of decomposing organic materials that can hurt fish and other aquatic life.
More Than Pond Skimmers
While it is tempting to go immediately to the pond skimmer as a solution to the inflow of pond debris, using multiple strategies to remove organic material will better control fallen leaves in the pond. Manual leaf removal and nets remove the larger debris, while filters purify the water. Combining all of these methods helps keep the water clean.
Manual Leaf Removal With Pond Rakes and Skimmer Nets
When the leaves are at their height, it can be hard for mechanical filters to keep up. Start off fall pond maintenance with a pond rake or a skimmer net. These manual devices are easy to store in a large pond bench or hang on a hook on a garden gate. Use these rakes and nets to remove surface debris that is hard to reach with an extended hand, or use them to catch leaves that have fallen just under the water. Nets are also available with telescoping arms that can reach over larger ponds.
Nets for the Garden Pond
To stop fall leaves from dropping into the pond, use netting over the pond. Some pond netting is almost invisible. Try black nets with wider spacing to remove a lot of the visual impact of the pond netting. Nets with 3/8 inch spacing between the plastic are a good choice if there are a lot of coniferous trees or maple trees above the pond, since both sorts of trees drop debris that is smaller than a deciduous leaf. Stretch the netting tight across the pond. Check it regularly and remove the leaves to ensure that it is not breaking or drooping into the pond. Nets that fall into the pond can hurt fish. If the pond is next to a bird feeder, move the feeder to a different location to avoid getting birds caught in the net.
Using a Pond Skimmer
What is a pond skimmer? Think of it as a broom for the pond. Mechanical surface pond skimmers remove debris on the pond surface. This debris could stick in a pond filter. The skimmer moves water into a machine that separates debris from the water, sometimes with the help of a pond pump.
The Role of Pond Filters and Pumps in the Fall Pond
Like an indoor aquarium, a pond that has a lot of organic material in it may require a pond filter. Filter biomedia remove the toxins that can accumulate when a lot of organic debris decomposes in a very small space. Pond pumps enhance water flow in the pond, providing oxygen and moving debris so that a skimmer or filter can pick it up.
Fall maintenance in the pond doesn’t need to be a source of stress. There are many opportunities to manage organic debris in the pond. With manual rakes, pond skimmers, netting and an appropriate filter, pond owners can enjoy fall without worrying about the impact of a large amount of organic material on late fall and winter pond health.
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