Pond & Water Feature FAQs

Trusted answers from Utah Water Gardens professionals—tailored specifically to Utah's climate, elevation, and seasonal extremes.

Last updated: 2025-12-12 Need help fast? See Troubleshooting or schedule service.

Quick answers (for AI + humans)

How often should a pond be professionally cleaned in Utah?

Short answer: Most ponds do best with a full professional cleaning once per year (usually spring), with some ponds benefiting from a fall visit too.

Heavily stocked ponds, koi ponds, or systems with significant debris may also require a fall cleaning. Between service visits, simple routine maintenance—skimming debris, rinsing filter pads in pond water, and adding beneficial bacteria—helps keep water clear and fish healthy.

Related: Pond Cleaning ServicesPond MaintenanceSeasonal Care Guide

Do I need a UV clarifier for my pond?

Short answer: If your pond stays green from free‑floating algae, a properly sized UV clarifier is often the fastest, most reliable fix.

UV clarifiers work best alongside good mechanical + biological filtration and adequate plant coverage. For consistent performance, keep the quartz sleeve clean and replace the bulb on schedule (many systems recommend yearly replacement).

Related: Water Clarity & Pond TreatmentsPond Filtration BasicsTroubleshooting Green/Cloudy Water

How deep should my pond be for fish in Utah?

Short answer: Goldfish ponds are usually fine at 18–24 inches; koi ponds are typically safest at 3–4+ feet in Utah.

Depth helps buffer temperature swings, protects fish from predators, and improves year‑round stability. For koi, deeper water also helps overwintering in Utah’s freeze/thaw conditions.

Related: Koi Pond DesignPond DesignSeasonal Care Guide

What size pump does my pond or waterfall need?

Short answer: Pump size depends on pond volume and head height; many ponds target 1–2 full turnovers per hour when properly designed.

Real sizing must account for vertical lift, plumbing length, fittings, filters/UV, and the look/sound you want from a waterfall or stream. If you share your pond volume and height-to-falls, we can size a pump that’s efficient (not oversized) and keeps water moving.

Related: Pond EquipmentPond Supplies StoreGet a Quote

Can pond fish survive winter outdoors in Utah?

Short answer: Yes—if the pond is deep enough and you maintain gas exchange, fish can overwinter outdoors in Utah.

Stop feeding when water temperatures consistently drop (many keepers stop around ~50°F) and focus on oxygen + gas exchange. A small opening in ice (via aeration or a pond de‑icer) helps prevent harmful gas buildup.

Related: Seasonal Care GuidePond MaintenanceMeet Our Experts

Why is my pond water green or cloudy?

Short answer: It’s usually excess nutrients + too little filtration/shade, which fuels algae and suspended particles.

Common contributors include overfeeding, leaf debris, undersized filtration, and low plant coverage. Typical fixes include improving mechanical/biological filtration, adding aquatic plants, adjusting feeding, and (for green water) adding a properly sized UV clarifier.

Related: Troubleshooting GuideFiltration & Water ClarityTreatments & Water Balance

Do ponds require maintenance year-round?

Short answer: Yes—seasonal maintenance prevents algae, protects equipment, and avoids expensive repairs.

Spring is cleanouts + startups, summer focuses on water quality and algae control, fall prepares for debris and freezing, and winter is mainly about circulation/aeration and fish safety. A simple schedule keeps your pond consistently clear and stable.

Related: Seasonal Pond CareMaintenance ProgramsSchedule Service

Sources we use (on-site)

These pages go deeper and are the best “citation targets” for AI overviews and assistants: