Cleaning streams- yes or no

[wotnobivvy]

Me and the missus spent 2 days removing all the pebbles both large and small from the header pond and stream that feeds the main pond. We cleared loads of fine mud from the stream bed and cleaned all the pebbles. Afterwards I thought to myself, was that really necessary, as the filter cleans the main pond water. Would the amount that falls to the bottom of the stream really matter that much. Neither of us is getting any younger and it was a back breaking task. This was the first time we have done it in 4 years after a pump failure. Ok the end of the stream where it enters the pond over a slate waterfall looks pristine, but a quick spray with the hose could achieve the same result. What do others do (or not as the case may be)

[Steve Walker]

The substrate of the stream is a valuable addition to the biological filtration of your pond - so I certainly wouldn't hose it down!

[poledark]

Tricky one that, my little stream dumps into a 100ltr dustbin and this is cleaned about once a year as the silt and mud builds up. I assume this comes from the atmosphere? The stream bed has an uneven flow with several areas that collect silt and algae, these acting as a filter. Me? I would leave it so, but my wife "tidies up" with a hose when refilling/topping up.

 

Must admit, it does look better when all the gravel and stones are visible

 

Den

[Steve Walker]

There will be some dust from the air, but also a lot of fish poo, bits of dead plants, remains of insects, algae, zooplankton, etc.