How to Clean Goldfish Ponds

A goldfish pond is a beautiful addition to any backyard. Not only does it have aesthetic value, but goldfish eat insect larvae and prevent your yard from becoming overrun by bugs. Goldfish in a pond need a clean environment just like goldfish in a tank. A stable ecosystem can usually survive without any help from you. Goldfish, however, will breed over time and destabilize the pond's environment. The waste products from additional goldfish can build up and leave you with cloudy water and sick fish. Too much algae in a fish pond is a concern as well. By cleaning your pond regularly, you can ensure it remains a healthy environment for your goldfish.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowl or fish bags
  • Pond net
  • Water purifier or water conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a clean fish bowl or heavy-duty polythene fish bag with pond water and transfer your goldfish from the pond to the bowl or bag. If you are using a bag, fill it only half full and leave plenty of air at the top of the bag for your fish.

    • 2

      Remove debris from the surface of the water using a net. Debris that is left unattended will sink to the bottom of your pond over time. Debris left to turn to muck at the bottom of the pond is both unattractive and unhealthy for your pond's inhabitants.

    • 3

      Scoop up algae from the bottom of your pond along with any sunken debris. You can use any household tool that will allow you to pull out algae, sticks, leaves and other debris, or you can opt to use a pond vacuum. Whether you will need a pond vacuum depends on the size of your goldfish pond. The larger the pond, the more likely a vacuum will be required.

    • 4

      Turn off your pond filter and remove it from the pond. Open your filter and rinse all filtering compartments with clean tap water.

    • 5

      Drain a portion of your pond's water. A good filter is a necessity for a goldfish pond, but a filter does not prevent the need to drain and replace pond water. You can replace anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent of your pond's total volume at one time.

    • 6

      Purify the water you plan to add to your pond with a water purifier or tap water conditioner. The goal is to rid the water of its chlorine because chlorine can be toxic to your fish. The replacement water should be room temperature.

    • 7

      Replace your pond filter and turn it back on. Do not turn on the pond filter until it is completely submerged.

    • 8

      Allow your newly cleaned pond to sit for several hours before reintroducing your goldfish. This ensures the water temperature has time to stabilize.