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Pond Opening

Information

-The Basics-

                To keep your pond sparkling clean each year it is recommended to clean out the pond annually.  Over the course of a year organic materials and fish waste can build up on the pond bottom and between the rocks.  The WaterScape Pond Opening is a full service annual cleaning designed to restore the clarity and quality of your pond to a high degree.  Openings begin in late March and run through the month of May.  The date of your opening is based on the timing of your call to other customers as well as the location of your home.  Openings are often paired by location so that our maintenance crew is efficiently traveling to fit as many pond openings in one day as possible.  Specific dates can be requested and should be done as soon as possible so that the schedule is not altered.

-The Process-

                On the day of the pond opening we request that the homeowner leave all pond equipment at or near the pond and that both water and electricity are available near the pond.  This is important because our cleaning equipment requires electricity and water, but not together.  If the homeowner fails to provide any of the three an additional return visit fee will be added to the final invoice.  Arrival time may vary and the presence of the homeowner is not required for the pond opening as long as we have the equipment, electricity and water.

• Rate condition of the pond at time of arrival

This allows us to offer suggestions on improving the winter health of your pond if needed.

• Pump water into the fish holding tank and turn on air supply

We do this if the homeowner has fish and give the fish and safe and healthy place to rest while we clean their home.

• Partially drain the pond down

This is done to reduce the time of removing the fish

• Catch and transport fish to holding tank

We keep track of the number and the time it takes to relocate them.  Time exceeding a ½ hour may be added to the final invoice.

• Drain down the rest of the pond

This allows the cleaning process to begin at the bottom of the pond.

• Power wash the pond

This process removes organic materials that are attached to the rocks and liner.

• Power wash river and BioFalls

Rivers and BioFalls also need the remaining organic material removed.  Filter mats and filter media are also power washed at this step to be installed later.

• Pump out sludge from pond using solids handling pump or shop vacuum

During the power wash process the sludge removal happens at the same time and is done to a location where it can be cleaned up at the end of the opening.

• Trim or remove aquatic plants

Aquatic plants will have some remaining dead material from the fall that will need to be removed.  This is also the perfect time to reduce the size of a plant or completely remove them.  Time to remove the plant will need to be added to the final invoice.

• Re-stack any loose rocks or boulders

Sometimes rocks will fall during the cleaning and will need to be put back in place.  Our crews will often rebuild sections that look unstable and likely to fall during the season.  This is the time that fish caves can be added to the pond.

• Check underwater lights

When present we will check the lights to make sure they are working and replace the bulbs if necessary.

• Begin filling the pond

We start filling the pond at this point so that by the time we leave there is enough water to return the fish and test the pump.

• Check skimmer, all components, and install pump

During this process we check the screws on the skimmer face plate, the skimmer door for proper function, check overflow for proper function and level, install pump, and install the skimmer support rack and filter mat.

• Check BioFalls and all components

During this process we check the screws on the BioFalls face plate, check waterfall lid if present for good foam seal, install BioFalls support rack, and install filter mats and filter media. Waterfall lid will be re-foamed if needed at this time.

• Check auto-fill valve and components if present

If the pond is equipped with an auto-fill valve we will check to see if it works properly, check the connection to the spigot on the house, and adjust to the proper level.  If the fill valve is tied into the sprinkler and the system has not been turned on, a return visit will need to be scheduled and will be added to the final invoice.

• Add water treatment and dechlorinator if needed

Our crew will add your very first bacteria water treatment and dechlorinator if you have city water to ensure the fish are safe upon return.

• Return fish to pond

Fish are returned to the actual pond after they have been properly acclimated to the new water conditions.

• Final clean up

It is important to us that we leave the area around the pond as clean as when we arrived.  The pond opening process is a dirty job and will sometimes leave areas slightly dirty with a discoloration in the yard from pond muck.

-Completion-

                The pond has been opened by our crew, but it appears that the pond is not finished.  Often the crew will not remain at the pond while it finishes filling and the homeowner will need to finish filling the pond if an auto-fill valve has not been installed.  Filling the pond can take hours and we do not incorporate the filling time into the final price.  Even when the pond is equipped with an auto-fill valve the pond is often not plugged in.  The pump was tested, but after the final draining of the dirty water we were unable to wait for the pond to reach its preferred pond level.  When the pond is filled you can simply plug the pump in and bring your water feature to life.  The final invoice will be calculated that day and dropped in the mail. 

-Additional Services and Products for Pond Opening-

Services

• Fish Caves-

Give your fish a place to hide from predators.

• Plant Addition-

Perfect time to add a plant or to make your lilies a plant pocket.

• Plant Removal-

Remove a plant that has gotten to big or is just no longer fits in the pond.

• Waterfall ReBuild-

Give your waterfall a whole new look this year.

• Underwater Light Add On

Add a light or two so that your pond nightlife really shines.

Products

• BioBalls-

BioBalls provide a textured surface (30 sq. inches per BioBall) for beneficial bacteria to colonize and grow.  BioBalls are the ideal media for use in all biological filtration.  Clean easily and do not need to be replace like lava rock.

• EcoStarter-

EcoStarter liquid turns tap water into pond water.  Tap water (including well water) often contains chlorine and heavy metals that, if left untreated, can cause damage to the pond ecosystem.  EcoStarter eliminates chlorine, unbinds chloramines, and chelates heavy metals, making them safe and allowing for metals like iron to be used by pond plants as fertilizer.

• EcoCarbon-

EcoCarbon high porosity activated filter carbon safely and quickly removes  discoloration, odor and dissolved organics from pond water.  EcoCarbon works by adsorption, a process that allows discoloration and dissolved organics to accumulate on the microscopic pores and tunnels found within the activated carbon pellet.  EcoCarbon is ideal for use in pond applications and will not cause algae.

• EcoBarley-

Barley straw has been used for hundreds of years to promote clean clear water conditions in ponds, ditches, and streams.  Have you ever driven by a pond or stream and wondered why there are bales of straw staked up where there is water flow?  The answer is simple-when the straw starts to rot, it releases enzymes that promote naturally ideal water conditions.  EcoBarley Liquid is a pharmaceutical-grade, fermented barley extract that has been concentrated to give you all the advantages of using barley straw without having the disadvantage of having large bales of straw rotting in your pond.

*To speak with a representative about more details, questions, pricing, or to sign up for a particular program please call (734) 944-7625 or send and e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it