Introduction

The cleaning and maintenance of ponds are crucial aspects of aquaculture, agricultural irrigation, or landscape management. Due to the humid climate and heavy rainfall, ponds are prone to accumulating silt, algae, and other sediments, which affect water quality and ecological balance. Different pond uses, geographical locations, and surrounding environments will all influence the cleaning methods.

Fish ponds vary greatly in volume. Small fish ponds may only have a few hundred cubic meters, while large ones can reach several thousand or even tens of thousands of cubic meters. Commonly seen fish ponds for aquaculture usually range from several mu to dozens of mu in area. The volume of silt in a fish pond depends on factors such as the pond’s service life and aquaculture density. New fish ponds have less silt, and in fish ponds that have been in use for many years, there may be tens to hundreds of kilograms of silt per cubic meter.

In order to improve water quality, increase dissolved oxygen in the water, provide a healthier living environment for aquatic organisms such as fish, and optimize the pond’s water storage and drainage functions, which is beneficial for aquaculture management and improving the yield and quality of aquatic products. Through the construction work of amphibious excavators, let’s see how to help fish farmers, farmers, or landscape managers efficiently complete pond maintenance tasks.

Part 1: Key Factors Affecting Pond Cleaning

1. Different Pond Uses, Different Cleaning Priorities

• Aquaculture Ponds (such as for fish and shrimp farming): Pay attention to water quality regulation and need to test the pH value, dissolved oxygen content, and ammonia nitrogen content. After desilting, it may be necessary to add probiotics to improve the bottom quality, and avoid using chemical cleaners.
• Landscape Ponds: Emphasize aesthetics, and minimize damage to surrounding plants during cleaning. Select natural stone or ecological bricks as slope protection materials, and match them with ornamental fish and aquatic plants.

1. Geographical Location Affects the Cleaning Strategy

• Ponds in Mountainous Areas: If the water source is mountain spring water, it is necessary to filter out impurities before injecting water into the pond.
• Ponds along the Coast: It is necessary to monitor the salinity to prevent seawater from flowing back and affecting freshwater aquaculture. The slope protection materials should be corrosion-resistant (such as concrete or salt-resistant stone).

1. The Surrounding Environment Determines the Silt Disposal Method

• Ponds Close to Farmland: The silt can be used as organic fertilizer after being composted, but it needs to be fully decomposed to avoid pollution.
• Ponds Near Residential Areas: During cleaning, it is necessary to control noise and odor to avoid affecting the living environment of residents.

1. Differences in the Needs of Fish Farmers

• Efficient Fish Farmers: They may use bottom aerators and automated water quality monitoring systems.
• Eco-friendly Fish Farmers: They prefer to plant aquatic plants to purify water quality and reduce the use of chemical agents.

Part 2: Construction Steps for Pond Cleaning

• Preparation Work: Select a suitable excavator and check whether all the equipment of the excavator is working properly to ensure the safety of the operation. The excavator enters the fish pond to start the desilting operation. Select an appropriate excavation method according to the depth and hardness of the silt in the fish pond, such as using the bucket and the arm of the excavator to clean up the silt.

1. Draining Water

Use a water pump to drain the pond water completely to ensure that the excavator can enter the operation area safely. This can make the excavation work more efficient and also facilitate a thorough cleaning of the silt at the bottom. If there are fish in the pond, they need to be transferred to a temporary water pool in advance.

2. Mechanical Desilting

Use the excavator to dig up the silt at the bottom of the pond and transport it to the sides of the pond, and stack it in a certain way for subsequent treatment or utilization. When stacking the silt, pay attention to the slope and stability to prevent the silt stack from collapsing back into the fish pond, and at the same time avoid damaging the embankment around the fish pond. Try to clean up the silt and debris as thoroughly as possible. When using the excavator, pay attention to the slope to prevent collapse. The excavation depth should be controlled according to the actual situation of the fish pond and aquaculture needs to avoid excessive excavation, which may damage the bottom structure of the fish pond or affect the aquaculture water depth.

3. Slope Protection and Reinforcement

After desilting, according to the need, the slope of the pond can be trimmed and slope protection treatment can be carried out, such as using stones, concrete, etc. to reinforce the slope to prevent collapse and improve the stability of the pond.

4. Water Injection and Water Quality Management

After completing the work such as desilting and slope protection, refill the pond with water. When injecting water, pay attention to the water quality. The water can be filtered and disinfected before being put into the pond, and try to minimize the impact on the vegetation and ecological environment around the fish pond to avoid the silt from polluting the surrounding soil and water sources.

Part 3: Precautions and Optimization Suggestions

1. Safety First: Ensure the excavator operates stably and avoid damaging the pond bottom structure.
2. Silt Utilization: The stacked silt can be used for fertilizing farmland after natural air drying, or for making compost.
3. Long-term Maintenance: Regularly check the water quality to prevent algae blooms. Clean the drainage ditches before the rainy season to avoid the backflow of sediment.

Conclusion

The specific steps and operations may vary depending on factors such as the specific use of the pond, geographical location, surrounding environment, and the personal needs of fish farmers.

Pond cleaning needs to be flexibly adjusted according to the environment, use, and aquaculture needs. Whether it is for increasing aquaculture production or beautifying the landscape, scientific cleaning methods can extend the lifespan of the pond and enhance its ecological benefits. If you are a fish farmer or manager, River Machinery will customize the most suitable plan and machine for you according to your own conditions to ensure that the operation is completed efficiently and environmentally friendly within the budget!

We hope this guide can help you better plan the pond cleaning project! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message for discussion.