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I'm wondering how often other pondkeepers do water changes in your ponds? How much water do you change? And how does rain affect that? (For instance, if it's been raining a lot, do you change more water? Less water?)

I have a 500 gallon pond, with a skimmer and waterfall box, and don't feel like I have it on the right schedule -- I've been kind of sporadic about the changes, and some of it has depended on the amount of rain we've gotten.

could change less in rainy times. when it's hot and you are loosing water the toxins in the water become more concentrated, so water changes are need.

I'm wondering how often other pondkeepers do water changes in your ponds?

i only do if around 4-5 times a year. twice in the fall as you americans call it, because of the leaf matter, this involves vac of the bottom.
i also do it in early spring to remove any waste/ leafs etc from over the winter.
then at least once in the summer when the fish have become very active and feeding alot.
and then once a year i open the valve on my filter to flush out the bulid up of waste.

i never do it in winter, it will shock the fish to much.

How much water do you change?

this depends, i never really measure it, i just clean the bottom with the vac once this is done i stop and fill up the water. it's never caused me problems and my fish are always happy.

When filling up the pond either use collected rain water or put a spray end ona hose pipe to help evaporate the Cl away.

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