How to get rid of muck in a pond

How do you get rid of muck in a pond?

What causes Muck at the bottom of the pond or lake is decaying organic waste like fish food that is not eaten and waste from fish, geese and ducks. Also dead and decaying aquatic weeds and leaves add to the buildup up of pond muck. When left untreated the buildup can be quite thick. This muck is also a food source for unwanted algae and weeds. As the algae and aquatic weeds die off, it adds to the muck. The more muck, the more algae, the more algae, the more muck, and the cycle goes on and on.

WHY DOES IT SMELL BAD?
Of course Ponds that have a lot of muck build up tend to have a bad smell to it, similar to that rotten eggs. That is because of the release of hydrogen sulfide. If you notice this smell that is a clear indication that the pond is suffering from oxygen depletion and muck build up. Ponds or lakes that are not aerated, cause the extreme temperature differences between the deeper levels of water and the upper levels of water. This creates an unbalanced environment perfect for the overgrowth of bad bacteria.

HOW A PONDS ECO SYSTEM EVOLVES
A new pond starts out with clean water free of weeds and debris. This stage can last for a few years. But over time the organic matter starts to build up become nutrients like fertilizer for unwanted aquatic plants and algae. Chemicals used to control this growth are just a temporary fix. The best plan is to re-balance the ponds eco system. Aerating with a pond aerator, beneficial bacteria and Muck Digester can be used to reduce the muck at the bottom and prevent further build up. 

HOW TO ELIMINATE MUCK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POND

Thick slimy muck at the bottom of the pond is made up of fish waste and decomposing organic materials from plants and leaves that build up on the bottom of your pond and over a period of time this can build up to several inches. However you can get rid of this muck with aeration and beneficial bacteria and enzymes.

BENEFICIAL BACTERIA AND ENZYMES
Your pond is filled with billions of beneficial bacteria, but if your pond is out of balance and have too much muck, the beneficial bacteria cannot keep up. If you add good bacteria and enzymes with BactiMax and Muck Digester you can increase their numbers, get down and consume the muck. It will improve the ponds clarity and get rid of the sludge!! When used regularly, with a pond aerator, BactiMax and Muck Digester can eliminate 1 to 2 inches of sludge each month.

AERATION
Installing a lake or pond aerator in your pond will also decrease the muck at the bottom. Not only does oxygen keep your fish healthy, but it also helps keep the beneficial bacteria alive in the pond. Beneficial bacteria and enzymes are alive and need oxygen as well. Using a decorative aerator prevents thermocline which is when the pond stagnates and creates layers. The lower layers are warmer and the upper layers are colder. The lower layers lack oxygen, and since that is where the beneficial bacteria is located, it is not a good environment to survive. A floating aerating fountain will add oxygen back into the pond or lake and will help the beneficial bacteria live and consume all that muck!! Even if you want something more decorative like a floating pond fountain, this is also beneficial to the pond as it will still aerate.

MANUAL REMOVAL
It is not easy to manually remove muck, but you can remove a good amount of it with the Lake Rake and a wheelbarrow. This will improve the effectiveness of BactiMax and Mack Digester. By removing large debris form the pond bottom. That way the beneficial bacteria and enzymes can really get down to the bottom.