How to Clean a Koi Pond

Cleaning a koi pond seems like it would be difficult but it can be quite easy, depending on the condition of the pond. Keeping water moving obviously helps keep ponds clean but eventually all ponds need to be cleaned on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Dechlorinator
  • Toddler's wading pool
  • Large Bowl
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Use a fine mesh net to collect the debris from the water. If a rotten odor is given off by the pond when the debris at the bottom is stirred, stop and see step 6. Otherwise, use the net to remove debris at the bottom of the pond.

    • 2

      Drain about 10 to 25 percent of the water while continuing to remove the debris.

    • 3

      Refill the pond's water. Use either a homemade or store-purchased dechlorinator to remove chlorine from the water that will be placed in the pond.

    • 4

      Add the water slowly so that the koi in the pond are able to adjust to the water's temperature. Pumps and air stones can oxygenate the water that is being added.

    • 5

      Remove the koi from the pond if you smell a rotten egg type of smell when disturbing the debris at the bottom of the pond.

    • 6

      Use a small pool, such as a toddler's wading pool, to hold the koi. Make sure that pool does not have any chlorine residue and that a dechlorinator has been used on the water in the wading pool.

    • 7

      Drain the pond completely. Clean out the debris and proceed to steps steps 2 through 5. You need to refill the pond on the same day so that the koi can be returned.

    • 8

      Place the koi into a large bowl of dechlorinated water in the pond. Place this bowl into the pool so the koi are able to adjust to the water's temperature slowly. Keep an air stone with them.

    • 9

      Place the koi into the pool with a pump or air stone after about 20 minutes in the bowl.