CG Properties

In the beginning, our fine-feathered friends bring algae, weeds and eggs to our ponds. The wind contributes leaves, branches, grasses and other material. All of this accumulates in what we call "the bowl" or "septic tank" of the pond, usually the deepest area. In the shallows up to about three feet, live the aerobic bacteria. This bacterium decomposes foreign matter quickly. In the bowl area, live the anaerobic bacteria, which cannot decompose the incoming matter quickly enough. This bacterial war rages on and the fallout is methane, sulfur dioxide, phosphates, and other toxic gases, saturating into the water column, reducing oxygenated water for fish and other aquatic species. This silt is nutrient rich and creates a deteriorating cycle. In essence, instead of the aerobic bacteria feeding the planktonic kingdom, and continuing a natural, healthy food chain, the anaerobic bacteria disrupts this natural process and feeds the plant kingdom, increasing algae and weed growth and suffocating the pond. Natural springs and aerators help, but eventually even they lose ground to this natural process.
We at CG Properties, prefer pumping the silt by hand from the bowl areas. It is an extremely clean and cost effective way of removing the sludge and toxic gases without the use of heavy equipment. It also does not interfere with the existing wild and aquatic life, which presently inhabit the pond. Once the bowl areas are cleaned to their original bottom, the toxic gases are removed with the silt, greatly enhancing the water clarity and quality, giving your pond a fresh new start, as it was in the beginning. The sediments will not mound up, but will flow and seek its own gravitational level. It is excellent fertilizer and will not harm grasslands or wooden areas. The pump used can reach 200 feet into a pond and discharge back up to 2,000 feet, depending on elevation and grade. For those of you who do not have an adequate discharge area, there is an alternate way to contain the silt. We are having remarkable success cleaning ponds in this manner and are sure we can be a valuable service to you. Please contact us with any questions you may have.