I thought I would offer a video blog today since my pond pump quit working and I needed to check it out. Sorry for the "blogger" picture quality. You can view a better download here on my vimeo.com page.
So, in the video, I show you how to take apart your pump for cleaning. Be sure to take this opportunity to throughly inspect your pump casing for any cracks or other damage.
The reason we use salt only for cleaning is that salt in not harmful to fish and plants like detergent or dish soap. Matter of fact, it's benefial for the fish in maintaining their protective "slime" , sort of like how our skin protects us.
Finally, once your are done handling the pump, be sure to wash up good with a good quality antibacteria soap. You don't know what kind of "ickies" are in the water.
When you replace the screws, tighten them down to just hand tight and tighten them in alternate corners ie: top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left. That way they are all tightened equally. Regular inspections will not only help you spot potential problems but get you familiar with your pump.
Remember, Fall is a good time to clean out leaf debris and a general mucking out before the cold weather sets in. Your fish will be healthier too. One final hint: Pick up a water thermometer from your local garden center or cooking section of your favorite store. Check your pond water temperature as weather cools. When the water temp falls below 50 degrees F, discontinue feeding your fish till spring and the water warms again above 50. Their digestive systems can't digest standard fish food pellets when their body temps fall. If you can't stand it, you can offer greens like a few green peas or lettuce, but chances are, they won't be much interested during the winter when they basically hibernate at the bottom of the pond.
Thanks for stopping by!
Air pumps are useful for creating a better oxygenation and circulation in the pond. Using an air pump Koi can avoid the deadlock and avoid having your fish die from lack of oxygen and can also help sick fish.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, I have both in my pond. Air pump provides continuous circulation and air in the bottom of my pond and my 500gph pump circulates entire pond through uv lamp and my bog filter system for cleaning the water.
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ReplyDeleteAir pumps are most commonly used for pond winterization and pond pump is truly the "heart" of my pond, so I'm always see to it that it maintain properly.
ReplyDeleteI watched that video and I learn so many things that I should really know on how to clean a pond pump. It is very easy to understand and I do think I can do it on my own.
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