Georgia ponds build up muck faster than you might expect. Pine and oak pollen in spring, leaf drop from the hardwoods in October and November, and red clay washed in by summer storms all settle on the bottom. A good cleanout clears that layer without wiping out the bacteria that keep the water clear.
When to schedule a cleanout here
- Early spring (late February to March), before the water warms past the mid-50s °F and fish become active, is the usual time for a full cleanout.
- Late fall, after most leaves are down, is good for a lighter cleanup, especially if you net the pond during leaf drop.
- Avoid midsummer full drain-downs when you can. Warm water holds less oxygen, which makes holding tanks harder on fish.
What happens on a cleaning visit
- We look at the pond first: rough size, how deep the muck is, the pump and filter, and how we get equipment to it.
- If there are fish, we set up an aerated holding tank with water from your pond.
- We pump the pond down, take out leaves and sludge, and rinse rock and gravel gently. We do not scrub every surface bare.
- We clean or rinse the filter media in pond water so the good bacteria survive.
- We refill with dechlorinated water, ease the fish back in, and restart the pump and waterfall.
What we need from you
Give us the pond's rough length, width and depth, roughly when it was last cleaned, whether there are koi or goldfish, and what you're seeing (green water, a smell, a low level). Photos help. If we find a liner tear or a failing pump during the cleanout, we show you and price that repair separately, and you decide.