Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Cleaning up an inherited pond

Hello!

I bought a piece of property that's got an old pond on it. My primary goal with the pond actually is more just recreational than fishing. I'm just off the river, with good fishing there, but swimming isn't allowed in the river. I've got two kids, and the pond is just the right size for a good swim, and a jump off a small dock.

However, as far as I can tell, no-one's looked at it in ages. It's covered in a layer of algae, and the bottom is an unpleasant muck (you sink to mid-calf at each step) covered in reeds on one side. The other side is firmer and a bit cleaner, but it's a steep grade into the pond on that side, and treed right to the waters edge. I'd rather not do away with mature trees, as they take awhile to grow, and are perfect for that rope I'd like to see hanging out over the water.

Eventually I'd perhaps seed a fish or two in there for the fun of it, but I'd just like to start by getting it cleaned up.

Anybody have a good idea of where the best place to start is? I'm assuming a pump/filter, etcetera, to keep the water from being too stagnant. What about the bottom of the pond? Any good way to make it a bit more appealing?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Okay BeeJay, first, welcome to the forum!!!

Second, you get a 10 minute time out for breaking the extremely rigid forum protocol!!!

An aeration system and or a draining/muck removal will be far less expensive and effective in reducing the stagnant water along with providing the optimum conditions for aerobic bacteria to begin quickly breaking down/reducing the muck.

As Bob Lusk likes to say, a ponds goal in life is to refill itself...or something like that...lol

Thank you! I'll start looking at aeration systems! So if I understand you - the aerated and circulated water will breed beneficial bacteria - and that will start breaking down the muck.

Sounds like not a bad place to begin. I'll scan the forum for any tips on aeration and circulation systems.

Any other good ideas?