water ponds maintenance supplies

Equipment and supplies used in water ponds maintenance :

1-Pond vacuum cleaner :

Fish pond vacuums - A detailed guide

document modified on September 24 2011 13:16:21

As every fish pond keeper knows there are plenty of maintenance tasks to perform throughout the year to keep our fish ponds in the best condition and keeping the water quality high so that our fish have long and happy lives. Some of these tasks are very trivial such as rinsing out the sponges from filters on an occasional basis right through to getting our waders out and cleaning the bottom of the fish pond, a nightmare especially with the deeper ponds. Thanks to modern innovation a lot of these tasks have been made a lot easier and no exception to the rule is the invention of the fish pond vacuum, reducing the cleaning time by hours and also removing a lot of the back breaking work involved. With smaller ponds this may not seem such a godsend but with the larger fish ponds it was a definite blessing.

But why do we need to clean out the bottom of the fish ponds, after all the bottom of the pond is hidden underneath the water so whatever it looks like any observers will not see it. If only this was the case, allowing debris and detritus to accumulate at the bottom of the fish pond will invariably lead to future problems with the water quality and also be detrimental to the health of the fish.

So where does the detritus or sludge as it is better known come from?

Some of it probably is a result of aquatic compost falling from the baskets as plants are added to the fish pond but the bulk of it can arise from decaying matter such as leaves that have fallen onto the water surface and sunk below decaying over a period of time. Uneaten fish food can also accumulate and decay, in the worst scenario there could even be carcasses from dead fish down there which will also decay but hopefully not!

Allowing this mixture to stay at the bottom of the fish pond also allows toxins to leach into the water from the decaying process, decaying matter can produce ammonia, it will definitely produce toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide that becomes trapped in the layers of sludge until it has built enough pressure up or the sludge gets disturbed by the fish rooting, when this occurs the gases are released into the water column where they can be absorbed as they rise to the water surface. Ever wondered why stagnant water smells, it is the toxic gases and sludge that produces this smell so the problem needs dealing with on a regular basis. There is no reason why any fish pond keeper even needs to go into the water to clean the bottom and sides of the fish pond, most of the fish pond vacuums are operated from the side of the pond and with the use of telescopic pipes they can reach right into the depths.

Fish pond vacuums can also be referred to as pond vacs or pond hoovers but they are all the same piece of equipment and do a great job. Gone are the days when the fish pond had to be completely emptied to give it a thorough clean.

So now we know why we need to keep the bottom of our fish ponds clean and free from the sludge but how do the fish pond vacuums actually work?

They work exactly in the same way that household vacuum cleaners work removing dirt and grit from the carpets and flooring but instead of the suction being created from the air flow, the water is pulled through the vacuum sucking up the debris as well. Dependant on which model that you are using they can create the suction by means of a pump that works in the same manner as the water pump connected to your fish pond filter but on a much smaller scale, smaller models designed for shallow fish ponds may create the suction by means of a hosepipe being attached and as the water flows through the vacuum it also sucks up the debris as well.

In all cases the water is returned straight back into the fish pond while the debris and sludge remains trapped in either a muslin bag or a specialised container, yet again dependant on which type of fish pond vacuum that you are using. The bag or container are easy to empty and then the debris can be disposed of leaving your fish pond clear and helping to maintain the water quality at the same time.

When you browse around the internet or visit suppliers with the intention of purchasing your fish pond vacuum there are several choices that you can make. It will soon become obvious which models are best suited for the depth and size of your tank, many of the internet suppliers will even have reviews and advice for you to look at on their websites helping you even further with your choice.

For the smaller fish ponds and even for cleaning waterfalls and alone standing water features, the hose powered models are ideal. They are light and easy to use plus the added bonus is the cheapness compared to the pump powered models. With the hose powered models the debris is normally caught in a muslin bag, the telescopic pole can clean down to 2-3 feet and the cleaning head is usually small, these can even be used for awkward corners in larger fish ponds. As these are so simple I have yet to hear any bad reports about them as there is very little to them meaning less things that can go wrong. It is wise to clean the muslin bag thoroughly after each use so that the gravel vacuum is already to go the next time that you need it.

For the larger and deeper fish ponds there are a couple of styles of pond vacuums that you can choose from. In pond vacuums have the pump situated on the end of the telescopic pole, directly behind the cleaning head, with some models the cleaning head will also house blades that can break down the larger particles of debris allowing them to pass through the vacuum easier. Some models are also supplied with a large cleaning head plus a smaller one for the awkward areas and the debris is captured in a container while the water flows back into the fish pond. The prices for the in pond vacuums can reach up to £200 for each model but they do have more power and features than the hosepipe driven models so are well worth considering.

For a similar sort of price you can also look at investing in the pond side vacuums. The pump is housed in a container that sits at the side of the fish pond making the pole lighter but still getting the same power as with the in pond models. An extra feature with some of these is the split chambers where one container can be emptied while the other is filling, this makes the job a lot quicker and easier. A drain hose empties away the sludge and debris so there is no mess there!

It does pay to clean the containers out after use and check that there are no blockages around the pump so that it runs efficiently at all times.

But how do you dispose of the sludge?

The answer to this is very simple, use it as a fertiliser for your garden, it is full of nitrogen based compounds and the plants will love it. If you decided on the pond side model, the drain hose can be placed directly towards the flowerbeds so not only is the vacuum cleaning your fish pond but it is feeding your plants at the same time.

As expected by using these machines some water will be lost from your fish pond in the process. Always check the water levels in your fish pond once the cleaning has been completed and top up as necessary!

Do you need a Pond Vacuum? Are they worth it?

courtesy to : pondinformer.com/best-pond-vacuum-cleaner/

Unless you have a pond vacuum cleaner, the only other options to remove pond sludge is with a basic net or a bacteria based remover. These methods are usually more suitable for smaller ponds, or ponds without fish, as they can take time to be effective. A net won’t be able to remove the finer bottom sediment, and will just make your waters dirtier as you stir up the bottom muck. A bacteria based remover takes time to work, and can’t remove larger debris, such as twigs, gravel, or stones.

A pond vacuum can suck up leaves, debris, and bottom sludge

If you have heavy debris buildup, especially in a fish stocked pond, a pond vacuum would be a better option to quickly and effectively remove bottom muck. Heavy duty pond vacuums are able to remove both larger debris, as well as pond silt, so you can clear most of your ponds bottom waste in a single session.

Having a pond vacuum also provides you much better cleaning control, allowing you to quickly remove harmful buildup at any time of the year. Most bacteria based removers only function in warmer temperatures, whereas a pond vacuum can be used during both summer and winter months.

Due to their effectiveness, pond vacuums have become very popular in koi stocked ponds in particular, as koi can be quite sensitive to excess sludge levels. They’re also a popular choice if you simply want a spotless pond floor with maximum water clarity. Even though pond muck doesn’t effect water clearness directly, fish can easily stir up the bottom muck which causes dirty water. For an extra clear pond, it’s sometimes best just to remove all the sludge!

Hand-Pumped Vacs or Power Vacs

There are currently two kinds of pond vacuums on the market – hand-pumped vacuums and power vacuums.

1) Hand- Pumped Vacuum

1) Hand- Pumped Vacuum

As the name suggests, a hand-pumped vac requires manually pumping by hand to remove pond muck. These are great little solutions for tiny ponds due to their cost and ease of use. They work by either driving water through a waste net that traps sucked up debris, or directly through a discharge hose which you can position away from your pond. Some newer models can make use of your mains water power, too, so less work is needed to pump the water. In general, manual pump vacuums are only suited for the smallest of ponds, or even aquariums, and are not efficient enough to clear a normal fish pond reliably.

Hand-pumped non-electric vacuum

2) Power Vacuum :

The other type of pond vacuum is an electrical power vacuum, which uses a surface pump and is able to suck up much heavier debris compared to a hand pump. These vacuums are usually better for most ponds due to their effective suction power, which easily clears pond muck, sludge, silt, and gravel.

These powerful pond vacs are usually supplied with a range of pump ratings, flow rates, handle lengths and different hose attachments. Power vacuums provide a great level of flexibility in terms of cleaning for all kinds of pond sizes. Due to their powerful suction capabilities, they can also double as a swimming pool cleaner if you have one!

What vacuum type do we recommend?

Unless you have a tiny pond, or have no mains socket to power the vacuum, a power vacuum is recommended in most situations. They’re easier to use, provide better cleaning results, and a quality vac will last you years! If you have sludge, a heavily stocked koi pond, or just hate cleaning in general, a power vacuum would be a great, long-term investment.

Choosing the Best Pond Vacuum Cleaner

Great quality pond vacuums aren’t always cheap, so you need to make sure you’re making the right purchase. A good pond vacuum should provide powerful cleaning for years, as well as be reliable and cost effective. There are a few things to consider when making a purchase, the most important of which we’ve listed below –

1) Vacuum power rating :

You will need to make sure the vacuum you choose is suitable for your ponds size. If you have a larger pond with a lot of sludge build up, a more heavy duty model may be needed with a stronger pump. If you have a small pond with minimal sludge, a less powerful vacuum with lower capacity may be fine. In general, selecting a more powerful model is a safer choice and will provide more flexibility in future if you decide to expand your pond, or suddenly have a lot of debris to remove (i.e., after bad weather).

2) Attachments/nozzle sizes

Depending on how much flexibility you want in terms of cleaning, you may need to consider the vacuum attachments and nozzle sizes. For example, a basic vacuum with a single head attachment may not be big enough to remove leaves and larger debris, but would be fine for silt. Whereas a vacuum with multiple head attachments should provide different sizes for both fine buildup and large debris. Having more options is always better, so selecting a model that provides this flexibility is a good choice.

3) Hose length vs max suction depth

You need to make sure the power cord is long enough to plug-into your mains, and the hose itself needs to be long enough to reach the lowest depth point of your pond. When selecting a pond vacuum, you also need to take into account the hose length compared with the maximum suction depth. A vacuums hose length is usually much longer than its max suction depth, so a hose with a length of 16ft may only have a maximum suction depth of 6ft. There is no point having a long hose if the suction doesn’t work at your required depth level!

4) Vacuum weight and wheel support

Power vacuums can be heavy, especially when full with debris. Selecting a vacuum with wheels is good practice, as it’s easier to move around your garden. Sometimes wheels are not going to do the job, however, and you’ll need to do some manual lifting. In this case, selecting a lighter model will be easier than a heavier one.

4) Holding capacity and discharge method

How much pond muck and debris do you have? If you want faster removal with less cleaning, choosing a vacuum with a higher debris holding capacity is beneficial. Vacuums with a lower holding capacity generally need to be cleaned and discharged more frequently. As well as this, you will want to know what kind of discharge options are on offer. Some pond vacuums allow much easier discharge than others, with some vacuums also providing a way to filter the water directly back into your pond.

Best Pond Vacuum Cleaner 2018 :

Still courtesy to : pondinformer.com/best-pond-vacuum-cleaner/

Before you start cleaning..

If you have any small fish in your pond we recommend removing them and placing them into a separate container while you clear the pond floor. Due to the power of these vacuums, small fish or baby fish can easily be sucked into the vacuum and become injured if not careful.

Best Budget Pond Vacuum :

1) Oase PondoVac Classic Review :

Our favorite cost effective pond vacuum cleaner is the classic Oase PondoVac. OASE have long been established as a reputable power vac supplier in the pond industry, and their entry level model is a fantastic option for small-medium size ponds. The vacuum is rated at 1200w and has a maximum suction depth of 6ft, with a fairly generous 13ft total hose length. When in operation, there is a clear window built into the main hose so you can see the debris being lifted and make sure the vacuum is working.

Unlike its bigger brother, the Oase PondoVac 4, the classic model features just a single suction chamber which holds the sucked up debris. This doubles as both a holding chamber and a discharge chamber. When the vac becomes full, suction will stop and the contents of the chamber will automatically be discharged from the chamber to save time with manual removal. The vacuum comes with a fairly decent debris holding bag which works quite well, but we found that smaller debris often got through and found itself back in the water through the main hose when discharging.

The vacuum comes with 4 different nozzle attachments, which is great for an entry model, with each one being suited for a different purpose. You can make use of the attachments to remove very fine silt, sludge, and even small stones! They’re easy to attach and fit nice and surely when cleaning.

Even though you could technically use this pond vac for both wet and dry application, we found it lacks the basic dry filter options to be effective for this purpose. We strongly recommend only using this vacuum for wet surface application, as using it for dry can damage the system.

Testing this vacuum in a 2000 gallon sludge heavy pond, the PondoVac Classic did a good job of removing bottom muck and sludge. Since the pump and suction are not quite as powerful as some larger models, it took slightly more work to clear the entire pond floor. The only real headache we ran into was the short length of the discharge hose, which reduced our options for removing the sludge. Adding an extension to this outlet may be required if you want to discharge a distance from your pond.

Overall, a powerful and cost effective small pond vacuum cleaner which should provide great cleaning for smaller ponds, however we would have liked to see a larger bag capacity and better discharge hose options. It’s also fairly light, with a convenient top handle, so is easy to carry around if needed.

Wet or dry: Wet
Attachments: 4 different heads
Maximum Suction depth: 6 ft
Suction hose length: 13 ft
Discharge hose length: 8 ft
Power: 1200W
Limited Warranty: 2 years
Wheels: Yes
Weight: 23.5 pounds

Best Overall Pond Vacuum

2) Oase PondoVac 4 Review :

The PondoVac Classics bigger brother, and our most recommended overall pond vacuum – the Oase PondoVac 4. We’ve used this pond vacuum for all sorts of different ponds, ranging from large koi ponds to small planted ponds, with great results. The vacuum is incredibly versatile, and will provide great cleaning options for ponds of all shapes and sizes.

The PondoVac 4 comes with a powerful 1800w max rated pump system and a generous 16ft hose length and a 7ft maximum suction depth. The suction is powerful enough to lift both fine silt and heavy sediment, and makes short work of even the heaviest of bottom muck.

One of the best features of this pond vacuum is its dual chamber system for both collection and discharge. Unlike the PondoVac classic which features a single chamber that switches from collection to discharge, the PondoVac 4 has two separate chambers for parallel collection and discharge. When the PondoVac 4s first collection chamber is nearing capacity, the vacuum will switch over to its second chamber and begin automatically discharging the contents of the first. When the second chamber is almost full, the vacuum will switch to the first again and the second chambers contents will be discharged. We absolutely love this system, especially when working with heavy sludge or large pond surfaces, as it allows almost constant suction! Just remember, this process can take a few seconds between switches, so if your vacuum turns off in-between, this is completely normal and it’ll soon get back to work (we got worried for a second when we first tested it, too!).

On top of the great dual chamber system, the PondoVac 4 also comes with a range of different nozzle attachments for all kinds of situations. During our test cleaning we found we only really needed to use the “general purpose” wand attachment, which works very well for both thick sludge and finer debris. Since we didn’t need to switch attachments as often, cleaning was much simpler. The length of the suction hose is also fairly good, and we were able to reach a fair amount of depth with little suction loss. The only problem we ran into when cleaning was when a small twig became jammed in the hose, so we’d recommend using a basic pond net to clear larger twigs before cleaning so you don’t need to open the vac to clean.

If you have a large pond, want faster cleaning, or have heavy sludge, the PondoVac 4 would be a better choice over the classic model. You’ll get more options, flexibility, and just better overall cleaning power! The only downside of this model, which the classic model also has, is the very short discharge hose length. If you want to discharge far from your pond, you’ll be out of luck without an extension piece. With that said, we had no other complaints and would fully recommend this pond vacuum for any size or type of pond!

Wet or dry: Both
Maximum Suction depth: 7 ft
Suction hose length: 16 ft
Discharge hose length: 8 ft
Power: 1800W
Limited Warranty: 2 years
Wheels: Yes
Weight: 37.4 pounds

Best Heavy Duty Pond Vacuum

3) Matala Power-Cyclone Review

Our final pond vacuum choice is the fairly unique Matala Power-Cyclone pond vacuum. Although similar in power and suction strength to the Oase PondoVac models, the Matala Power-Cyclone has a few distinct advantages. The first being its incredibly long maximum hose length at a huge 26ft; almost double the Oase PondoVac 4! This generous hose length would be perfect for cleaning wider ponds, allowing you to get right to the center without having to wade into the pond as much. Since koi ponds in particular are often wider in diameter compared to regular ponds, this would make the Matala Power-Cyclone an ideal koi pond vacuum cleaner.

The maximum suction depth is fairly good, matching the Oase Models at around 6ft of maximum water depth. We found the suction does drop off quite quickly in deeper water, but the great reach of the suction hose easily makes up for it.

As well as the great hose length, the Matala Power-Cyclone features one of the longest discharge hoses we’ve seen as standard on a vacuum, at a whooping 32ft of length! One of our biggest gripes of the Oase models was the short discharge hose, but it’s safe to say the Power-Cyclone does not have this problem. The generous size of the discharge means you can remove waste sludge a great distance from your pond water if required.

Although not as high-tech as the PondoVac 4s dual chamber system, the Power-Cyclone vacuum also supports almost constant operation by using a dual pump system. As sludge and debris is suctioned out from the pond, it gets filtered and then immediately discharged from the discharge outlet. We found this system fairly reliable, although we did have to occasionally clean around the pump after heavy use.

In terms of accessories, the vacuum comes with 3 different length main hose attachments and 4 different head attachments for debris pickup. These were sturdy, easy to fix, and provided some added flexibility when it came to cleaning.

Overall, we found the Matala Power-Cyclone a great, heavy duty pond vacuum for clearing heavy sludge and working with wider pond surfaces. This would make a great vacuum if constant operation is required, as well as more reach in terms of suction and discharge.

Wet or dry: Both
Maximum Suction depth: 6 ft
Suction hose length: 26 ft
Discharge hose length: 32 ft
Power: 1200W
Capacity: 13.2 gallons
Limited Warranty: 1 year
Wheels: Yes
Weight: 64.75 pounds