We have recently moved home and inherited a rather stagnant looking pond. It has seven fish which we cannot see. Despite putting barley straw, clear pond and anything else we have been advised to do , it still doesn't appear to be clearing. We have been told to part empty it and put some of the water into a container and transfer the fish . Then we have been told to empty as much out of the pond as we can and then clean it and refill. Does anyone know if this is the only way. We have bought a pump, but maybe we need a filter too Thanks

really the only way to clear your pond is to remove the fish and place them in a large tub or tank of water so that it doesn't matter that they will be out of their home for a few days.totally empty your pond be warned the smell from the sagnent water will be terrible.scrub it with a very hard brush this may take several attempts to get it clean.when its done top it up slowly at first with the fish and there water gradually over a few days add more water when its at the height that you want u should then place your pump and filter in it. if it near alot of vegitation that could land on it then cover it in winter with a fine mesh it will stop the vegetation getting into it and making it go stagnant,and it will be easy to remove and replace.i hope that your fish enjoy their new home!!!!!!

Be careful about moving the fish they could die from the shock of the move... take expert advice on this from a good fish stockist... - if they are fish lovers they should be only too happy to help...

You see its no good putting them straight into clean water... you will have to move them into some of the old water then gradually change it over several days... then there is the temperature change - fish cannot tollerate quick changes of temperature so will have to be introduced to the temperature of the clean pond over several hours... some people add half of the new water to half of the old in a plastic bag and then float that in the clean pond before adding it... of course this will re-introduce the stuff which caused your pond to go horrid in the first place...

You also need to find out why its gone stagnant... is it in full sun? does it have enough oxygenating plants? are the plants in it planted in aquatic soil? also with barley straw it is no good just chucking it in... it needs to sit about a foot to 6 inches below the surface of the water... Norfolk Lavender supply a kit with twine and weights to do just this and it may be worth having another go at working out just how much barley straw (theirs is mixed with lavender) you need for the size of pond... sorting out the oxygenating plants and cover from the sun - only 1/3rd should be open water... or do you have trees overhanging which have caused leaves to drop in... in which case you will need to net the pond from end of August onwards to stop the leaves dropping in or alternatively rake them out every day...

Hope this helps... if you really get stuck try your local nature wardern who should be able to help or will know a man (or woman) who can...