Water Gardening Projects of any type benefit from advanced preparation. Regardless of the type of project, having all the necessary supplies on hand before you get started always makes it go faster. Realizing it's a good time to fertilize the water lilies after your pond has been drained, and running to the store for lily tabs tends to slow down the spring clean-out process, turning a half-day job into an all-day chore.
Planning ahead a little means you can spend less time working on your pond,and more time enjoying it!
De-chlorinator - If you are on city water, you'll need to de-chlorinate the newly filled pond before you put the fish back in.
High Pressure Sprayer - Use a pressure nozzle on your garden hose or a pressure sprayer to dislodge debris and algae from the rocks.
New Filter Mats - Filter mats should be replaced every three years or so. If you think it might be time, be prepared ahead of time by purchasing replacements prior to your pond clean-out.
Expanding Foam - Expanding foam may need a bit of a touch up in some areas. Be prepared with a can of it just in case.
Rubber Gloves and Boots - Spring clean-outs can be cold, wet, and messy. Arming yourself with boots and gloves will go a long way toward making this chore much less unpleasant.
Pump and Discharge Pipe - To drain the water out of the pond, you'll need a pump and some discharge pipe. It's ok to use your pond pump, but even better if you have an extra pump to lessen the wear and tear on your pond pump. About 2000 gallons per hour, depending on the size of your pond, will do the trick.
Fish Net - Before you drain your pond, you'll need to catch and relocate your fish. A good quality net means doing this without injuring your fish during the catch.
Net to Cover Fish Container - Fish, especially large koi, jump, and they may very well jump right out of the container that you've set up for them. Be sure to cover it with a net that is pulled taught across the top to prevent them from jumping.
Pruners - Part of a spring clean-out is pruning back dead plant material from the previous season. Make sure you have a good pair of pruners or scissors to get the job done.
Plastic Rake - Rake the leaves right out of you pond with a children's garden rake.
The plastic eliminates the chance of tearing the liner and the small size makes it easier to maneuver in tight spots than an adult sized rake.
Lily Tabs - Take advantage of the water-free accessibility of water lilies, lotus, and other plants that may need to be fertilized. Have a container of lily tabs on hand when you're doing your pond clean-out.
Container for Plant Debris - Grab an old plastic plant pot or bucket so you can easily dispose of any debris that you gather from the pond bottom.
Planting Pots - A spring clean-out is a good time to thin and divide plants that have grown out of bounds or crowded a pot. Make sure you have some aquatic plant pots handy so you can re-pot and share your new plants with other water gardeners.
Extra Gravel - After the freeze and thaw of winter, you'll inevitably find rocks and gravel that have shifted, exposing bare liner. With an extra bag or two of gravel, you can cover exposed liner in a jiffy.