It's been a long winter and spring is finally here. Use the start up tips below to help get your pond in shape for many pleasurable days and nights ahead.

1. Remove debris from bottom of your pond using a skimmer or pond vac.
2. Remove leaf debris from the pond.
3. Test pH with a Pond Care Test Kit and adjust if necessary with Pond Care Up or pH Down.
4. Assure removial of remaining sludge with a sludge digesting beneficial bacteria called Pond Zyme.
5. Clean or replace pond filter media.
6. Inoculate the pond with a beneficial bacteria bio filter booster or Microblift PL.
7. Visually inspect pond fish for parasites or disease.
8. Inspect your pond's mechanical equipment.
9. Replace uv bulbs or pond light bulbs.
10. Add a barley product to prevent string algae.
11. Prepare plants by repotting with Pond Care Aquatic Soil and fertilizing.
12. Begin feeding fish once the water reaches 50 degrees with spring/autumn fish food.

Determining what size of pump you will need depends on the volume of your pond and whether or not you have fish:

• Average length X the average depth X the average width = cubic feet.
• Cubic feet X 7.48 (gallons per cubic foot) = volume of pond water in gallons

With fish, you will need to circulate the water every hour. Without fish, circulate every 2 hours.