TheCash_Cab

Here are some tips to starting your water garden up:

The first steps in water garden maintenance is draining it down. Now, you don't have to drain the entire pond but draining half of the water out of it greatly helps. You should clean out all the leaves, twigs, and all the other items that have fallen into the water as they can clog up the filtration system can cause real problems. You should also take any rocks that are in the water and try to clean the moss and algae off of them. Right before you add the water back into the pond you should add a dechlorinator.

You should also add chemicals to re-establish some of the bacteria in the water. The bacteria in the water will help to dissolve leaves and fish "by-products" in the water.

Next you should clean the filter media BEFORE starting the pump back up. If needed you can also replace the filter. Restart the pump and let it run for a while before attempting to add more fish to the pond.

Following these steps will help keep your water garden clean and fresh.

Kingfisherway

Good Tips, 'Cab!

Hoby

These are nice starter tips. I'll pass these along to those who need them in the future.

ameoba

Nice tips, TheCash_Cab!