A garden pond provides a habitat for fish and other animals and can be an oasis of peace. Regular pond cleaning is essential to ensure that you always enjoy your garden pond and that the inhabitants feel comfortable in it. A helpful helper is a pond mud vacuum cleaner. Beginners can make various mistakes when cleaning the pond. You can learn more about the different pond cleaning mistakes with and without a pond mud vacuum cleaner and avoid them.
1) Missed the Right Time for Pond Cleaning
Beginners may miss the time for pond cleaning, and a thick layer of sludge has already formed in the pond. Fish food not consumed, leaves that have fallen into the pond, dead plant matter, and fish droppings all-cause algae and sludge to form. If the sludge layer is already too thick, you should not reach for the pond sludge vacuum. If you broke through the sludge layer, nitrogen substances could be released and cause the pond water to tip over within a short time. Then there is the most dangerous for the fish. A thick layer of mud is a ticking time bomb for your garden pond. Fish look for food in the ground, churn it up, and cause the water to tip over themselves.
To avoid mistakes: You should regularly check plants and remove dead parts. You remove algae with a landing net. With the fish food, you should surround it rather sparingly so that the fish also eat it. You must remove leaves that have fallen into the pond. Check the layer of mud. If it is only a few millimeters thick, you can easily remove it with the pond mud vacuum.
If a thick layer of sludge has already formed, you should use a degradation agent that works with oxygen. The pond sludge is slowly lifted and floated to the water surface. There you can vacuum the sludge.
2) Your Sludge Vacuum Cleaner Does Not Provide Full Suction Power
Pond sludge vacuum cleaners have connection points. If you are using the unit for the first time, the joints may not be tight enough, and air may enter. It is also possible that a dirty filter is causing secondary air to enter the sludge vacuum. If the sealing surface is soiled, oxygen can enter the inside of the vacuum cleaner. You can no longer remove sludge because the suction performance is impaired.
To avoid mistakes:
- Check the filter before operating the sludge vacuum. You should clean or replace the filter if it is dirty.
- Check the gaskets to make sure they are intact and that all seals are in place.
- Check that all the fittings are tight so that air cannot get in. If you have checked everything and screwed the connections properly, there should be no problems with sludge removal.
3) Decreasing Suction Power Due to Pond Vacuum Cleaner Being Set up Too High
It would be best if you observed the maximum installation height when starting up the sludge vacuum cleaner. The vacuum that the sludge vacuum cleaner can generate determines the installation height. If the pond sludge vacuum creates little pressure, you should only set it up at a low altitude. It would help if you placed the mud vacuum only a few inches (centimeters) above the water surface. If you put the sludge vacuum too high, you will reduce the water pressure significantly.
To avoid mistakes: Do not place the mud vacuum higher than 10 feet (3 meters) above the water surface. If set higher, the suction power can be significantly reduced and even decreased by half. You should make sure that you place the vacuum cleaner in direct proximity to the water surface. Even there, however, there may be dangers.
4. Danger of Falling at the Water’s Edge
It would be best if you placed your pond mud vacuum near the water surface. Here, however, there is a risk of the sludge suction cleaner falling at the water’s edge. The unfavorable position and pulling on the hose can cause the vacuum to tip over or drop directly into the water. If the pond vacuum falls into the water, this can cause severe damage to the vacuum cleaner and the water plants. The engine of the vacuum cleaner can fail. The machine must then be replaced, which can be expensive. In some cases, you cannot place the mud vacuum other than at the edge of the pond. To avoid damage, be sure to secure the vacuum.
To avoid mistakes: Make sure the pond mud vacuum is at the required safe distance from the water and secure the device.
5. Broken Connection of the Telescopic Rod
Large wall brushes are often attached to the telescopic rod of the pond mud vacuum cleaner. You can use them to push loose deposits from the pond walls toward the bottom of the pond. Although the shape of these brushes is reminiscent of a scrub brush, such brushes are not suitable for scrubbing. The telescopic rod can break if you use too much force while brushing. Strong leverage forces are acting on the construction. Another problem when scrubbing with such a brush is that the edges get to the bottom of the film, scratching it or, in the worst case, causing cracks in the film. These scratchings are a good point of attack for algae.
To avoid mistakes: Only use the brush to remove loose film and not to scrub. Avoid getting the brush on the bottom of the foil.
6. Excessive Impeller Wear
If you work with a professional impeller pond mud vacuum cleaner, the impeller can wear out. Various dangers lurk here, which can lead to damage to the device. If the impeller is dry during start-up, the necessary lubrication is missing within the first 30 seconds. This leads to increased wear. If that happens, you must replace the impeller after only a short time. Furthermore, damage can occur if you do not use a pre-filter or stone separator. Stiff materials can get into the pump with the water and damage the impeller’s fins.
To avoid mistakes: Fill some water into the pre-filter before starting the sludge vacuum. This water will reduce wear and tear. You should only start up an impeller pond sludge vacuum cleaner if a pre-filter or stone separator is attached to it.
7. Overload of the Pre-Filter
If you do not check the pre-filter of your pond mud vacuum, the filter unit may burst because it is overloaded. The replacement can be pretty expensive. As the flow rate reduces, the suction power also decreases at the same time.
To avoid mistakes: Especially with the new, modern pond sludge vacuum cleaners, it is essential to check the pre-filter regularly and check the level. Once you gain experience with the pond scum vacuum, you will feel when you have to empty the filter. If the suction power decreases, it is time to open the filter and get rid of the mud.
8. Overloading of the Fine Filter Bag
Not only the pre-filter but also the fine filter bag can be overloaded. The fine filter bag can also burst, primarily if used to recirculate the water back to the pond. The overloading of the fine filter bag creates pressure. This pressure can cause the Velcro strap on the hose access to come loose. The safety mechanism pops open in this case. The sludge that has already been sucked in returns to the garden pond.
To avoid mistakes: You should interrupt the suction process in good time if the filter bag is already quite full. Empty the filter bag and continue the suction process.
9. Water Damage Due to Rain or Moisture
A pond scum vacuum cleaner can process pond water. However, if the drive and electronics come into contact with water, this can cause damage. In case of rain and if you leave the vacuum cleaner outside for a more extended period, the condensed water can penetrate the device’s interior. In the worst case, the electronics and drive can be completely destroyed by water.
To avoid mistakes:
- Never use the pond mud vacuum in the rain, and do not leave it outdoors after use.
- Never hose down the mud vacuum with water.
- Always store the pond suction cleaner in a dry place after use. If there is any dirt on the device, it can be removed with a damp but not wet cloth.
10. Damage to Plastic Parts Due to Incorrect Storage
Various plastic parts are supplied as accessories with a pond vacuum cleaner. This hard plastic can become brittle if it is not stored correctly. Exposure to sunlight can damage the material and make it brittle. At worst, the plastic parts can break and become unusable.
To avoid mistakes: Store the plastic parts together with the pond scum vacuum in a dry place and protect them from sunlight. You should not store the accessories outdoors. After use, you should wipe the plastic parts and keep them again in a protected place. Suitable storage places are garage, cellar, or garden shed.
What Else You Should Consider
Surely you do not want to get into trouble with the neighbors. Therefore, you should not use the pond mud vacuum on Sundays (Germany) or during nap time to not disturb your neighbors by the noise.
You should also make sure that the drain hose is not led back into the pond. Otherwise, the sludge and nutrients will get back into the pond. Ideally, you will discharge the wastewater into the garden or the sewer system. You can also collect the wastewater and then use it to water your garden.
Conclusion
With the pond mud vacuum, you can regularly ensure clean pond water and thus your fish’s well-being. Beginners can make some mistakes if the fittings are not tight enough, the mud vacuum is not placed correctly, or the filter is not emptied soon enough. If you avoid these mistakes, pond cleaning will not be a problem. You will enjoy your mud vacuum cleaner for a long time.