Water Quality

• Home pond water should have a pH between 7.5 and 8.5. A lower or higher pH leads to fish and plant death, creating waste that dirties the pond, which in turn kills more fish and plants.
  
  

Cleaning

• Keep your pond clean by using a skimmer net or a pond vacuum to remove dead leaves and plant matter and clear sludge from the bottom of the pond. Keep plant growth under control, and don't overstock the pond with fish.
  
  

Aerating

• Proper aeration in your home pond keeps the water cleaner, and keeps fish and plants healthier. Use a water filtration system, and consider adding oxygenating pond plants or a water fountain to bring oxygen into the pond.
  
  

Winterizing

• If you have a pond pump and the temperature gets extremely cold during the winter, remove it from the pond or make sure it is placed in an area well below where ice will form. Remove any dead material from the home pond, creating as little water disturbance as possible. Stop feeding any fish once the water temperature drops to the upper 40s.