Pond Maintenance

[Jaxom_Ruatha]

My pond is dug into the ground and a gravel-vac or python or whatever it is called just doesn't seem to cut it. Not enough suction is created since the nozzle is oftenly lower then the end of the tube where the water is supposed to go out of, so how do you guys do water changes and clean the gunk off the bottom of the pond?

[RogerMcAllen]

I pull the gunk up with a net. I don't really do water changes since the plants take up most of the nitrate. When I do want to remove water, I have a built in drain. You could probably just use a bucket or divert your pump out of the pond area.

[frog girl]

I too spend time with a net. This year though I am trying an experiment. I have planted a bunch of my water lilies in baskets & am hoping that since they are such heavy feeders it will help a bit (not that I will be able to stop the netting or anything but maybe it will slow it down).