8 Best Pond Sludge Remover – (2020 Guide & Reviews)

Not only is pond sludge unsightly, but it can also cause a lot of problems for the health of your pond.

The longer the problem grows, the harder it is to get rid of. But don’t worry, there are plenty of great products out there that can help you fix the problem.

The best pond sludge remover can help clean up your pond fast. In fact, some of these products deliver visible results in as little as 12 hours.

Let’s learn a little more about pond sludge, why it happens, and how to get rid of it.

Why You Need to Remove Pond Sludge?

To some extent, pond sludge is inevitable but that doesn’t mean you should sit back, throw up your hands, and say, “Oh, well!” Keeping pond sludge under control is really important to maintaining a healthy pond.

There are a lot of reasons why you need to remove pond sludge but the easiest explanation is that it makes the water unhealthy and can make your fish sick or even kill them.

To understand how to get rid of sludge, it’s important to understand why it shows up in the first place.

What is pond sludge?

Pond sludge is the slimy, thick green-brown waste that accumulates on the bottom of the pond. It covers rocks, sits on ledges and shelves, and can even cloud the water.

One of the biggest problems with pond sludge is it can reduce the oxygen content of the water which leaves you fish gasping for breath. This also creates anaerobic conditions in the water which fuels the growth of dangerous bacteria.

Low oxygen also contributes to the production of hydrogen sulfide which causes significant harm to the plants, animals, and other living creatures in your tank. This is also what causes bad odors to develop.

Why does it happen?

The biggest reason that sludge develops is poor pond maintenance. It happens when plants, leaves, uneaten food, and fish wastes accumulate at the bottom of the pond. Algae is often a secondary problem to sludge because sludge provides the necessary ingredients for algae growth.

One huge contributor to the development of pond sludge is overfeeding or overstocking fish. Both of these things increase the waste in the pond which can quickly get out of control. Other causes are falling leaves, grass clippings, or other organic debris that finds its way into the water.

Why should you remove it?

Removing pond sludge is the only way to maintain a healthy pond environment. If you don’t take care of it, the problem will continue to get worse and worse.

Admittedly, removing pond sludge isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be hard work if you’re using a vacuum or net. Luckily, we found eight effective products that can help make the job a little more manageable.

The 8 Best Sludge Removers for Ponds

If you’re looking for an effective way to get pond sludge under control, you’re in the right place. Here are eight of the best pond sludge removers available on the market.

Pictures	Pond Sludge Remover	Treats up	Links
	API Pond ECOFIX Sludge Destroyer	16000 Gallons
	API Pond-Zyme Sludge Destroyer Pond Cleaner	16000 Gallons
	PondWorx Pond Bacteria	1 Acre with depth of 4-6 ft.
	Aquascape Sludge & Filter Cleaner Water Treatment for Pond	20000 Gallons
	Natural Waterscapes Muck Remover Pellets	1/4 Acre for 5 Months, or 2.5 Acres for 1 Treatment
	Microbe Lift Pond Microbe-Lift Sludge Away	500 Gallons for 11 months
	Pond Champs Pond Cleaner	1 Acre with depth of 4-6 ft.
	KoiWorx Muck Reducer	6000 Gallons

Best Pond Sludge Remover Reviews

1. API Pond ECOFIX Sludge Destroyer

This product is called Sludge Destroyer and it really delivers. This 64-ounce bottle uses natural ingredients to break down waste and destroy pond sludge, including dead algae and grass clippings. With regular use, you can reduce overall maintenance and still have a clean pond.

Most pond sludge is a build-up of waste and other organic matter that not only reduces the quality of the water but can also clog filters and pumps quickly. This product can be used twice a week for two weeks at the beginning of the season to start things off in the right direction.

As the year goes on, use it for quick cleanups when necessary and one every two weeks for maintenance at the end of the season. This product is safe for catfish, koi, goldfish, and more. Plus, it was designed to work in conjunction with other API products to get the best possible results.

2. API Pond-Zyme Sludge Destroyer Pond Cleaner

Another great API product is this pond cleaner that uses all-natural ingredients to eliminate sludge and reduce overall maintenance. What’s great about this product is it includes natural bacteria and barley which benefits the balance of the water.

The bacteria in this sludge remover begin working immediately and, depending on how much pond sludge you have, you can see results in a few days or within two weeks. It works most effectively in the hot summer months as the bacteria aren’t as effective when it’s too cold.

This product can be used twice a week for two weeks at the beginning of the season to help establish healthy bacterial colonies. After that, try adding some every one to two weeks for long term maintenance.

How much you use depends on the size of your pond but, in most cases, this one-pound container will last quite a while.

3. PondWorx Pond Bacteria

This product from PendWorx is a good choice if you have sludge without algae buildup. It gets rid of general pond much as well as bad odors, dead leaves, and any other organic matter that gets in the water and can harm the inhabitants.

It works by increasing the effectiveness of the bacteria that occurs naturally in the pond. Plus, it helps get rid of harmful phosphates and nitrates that lead to excessive algae and weeds.

One gallon treats an acre of water up to six feet deep. If your pond isn’t that large, just use what you need and use the remaining to reapply every 30 days or so, more if there is a considerable amount of rainfall or runoff that can add more organic material to the pond.

This product is safe for all types of fish as well as birds and livestock. It won’t harm any irrigation water and is even safe for humans to swim in.

4. Aquascape Sludge & Filter Cleaner Water Treatment for Pond

This sludge remover from Aquascape comes in a convenient and easy to use pump bottle and a little goes a really long way. The 32-ounce bottle treats 20,000 gallons. For reference, a single pump treats 100 gallons.

With 1.5 billion colony forming units per ounce, this formula is very effective. It uses five pure strains of heterotrophic bacteria and quickly cleans sludge from filter pads, gravel, and rocks at the bottom of the pond.

Although this product quickly eliminates any decaying organic matter and fish waste, it’s safe for fish and plants in the pond as well as any pets or wildlife that make contact with the water. Results can appear in as little as 24 hours maintenance doses can keep your pond clear all summer long.

5. Natural Waterscapes Muck Remover Pellets

These muck remover pellets from Natural Waterscapes are formulated to eat through organic later like fish waste or vegetation breaking down at the bottom of your pond. This is one part of a treatment plan that the company put together to maintain the health of your pond.

This pond sludge remover is in pellet form which makes it really easy to apply. A 10-pound container treats ¼ acre-sized pond for five months. To apply, us two scoops for every ¼ acre and broadcast the pellets across the pond.

One of the reasons this treatment is so effective is because it’s in pellet form. Rather than adding treatment to the water and waiting for it to circulate throughout the pond, the pellets get to the bottom of the pond right away and get to work.

6. Microbe Lift Pond Microbe-Lift Sludge Away

A good product for ponds with rock or gravel bottoms is this Sludge Away from Microbe LIft. Smooth bottoms are easy to vacuum and keep clean but that’s just not a practical solution for a rocky bottom.

This product contains organic and microbial-based materials and works 80% faster than comparable products. It naturally speeds up the removal of sludge and pond much plus it binds phosphate to help preserve your pond’s overall health.

You can apply this treatment to your pond at any time of the year, though it works better in the summertime when the temperatures are warm. You might notice that your rocks discolor a bit when this product is first applied but this is temporary. And don’t worry, it’s safe for your fish, pets, and the environment.

7. Pond Champs Pond Cleaner

One gallon of this pond cleaner from Pond Champs treats a one-acre surface area for ponds from four to six feet deep. It’s made using aquatic chemicals that are completely safe for fish, birds, livestock, and humans as well as irrigation water.

This product works by supercharging the natural beneficial bacteria in your pond. Not only does this get rid of sludge, but it also helps eliminate nitrates and phosphates to maintain a healthy water balance.

Although this is a great product for cleaning up sludge, it’s not meant to eliminate algae though it may have some effect. Add the treatment directly into the water and reapply every 30 days for the best results, more often depending on runoff and rainfall.

8. KoiWorx Muck Reducer

This sludge remover from KoiWorx is a great choice for koi ponds though it’s safe for all kinds of fish and pond life. It’s formulated to reduce the thick sludge on the pond floor by sinking to the bottom and getting to the sludge right where it lives.

This container comes with about 145 tablets which are enough to treat up to 6,000 gallons of water. Because it sinks directly to the bottom of the pond, it’s a great choice for thick, deep sludge caused by fish waste, old leaves, or algae.

Each tablet contains a blend of beneficial bacteria that’s safe for all types of fish and animals. You can get results pretty quickly. In fact, you may even see an improvement in as little as 12 hours, though the full effect will take much longer.

How to Remove Pond Sludge?

There are a few ways to remove sludge from a pond, some are easy, some are not. Ultimately, it depends on how bad the sludge has gotten.

Sludge remover products like the ones we recommended in this review are a great option that doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. While there are different formulas, they each work by accelerating the breakdown process, quickly getting rid of sludge and the things that cause it.

If the debris hasn’t quite decayed into sludge quite yet, sludge remover products will still work to prevent them from getting too thick and solidified. In this case, it’s also a good idea to use a net to remove what you can if it’s still light and loose enough.

Once sludge gets heavy and more solidified, it can be a little more difficult to remove. You may need to invest in a pond vacuum to remove the sludge if sludge remover products aren’t working.

If worst comes to worst and the sludge is too difficult to remove, you may need to do a complete water change. Basically, this means draining the whole pond and starting from scratch. This will work but it’s not an ideal solution.

Draining the pond is considered a last resort. It destroys the water chemistry and the balance of beneficial bacteria and requires you to find a new temporary home for the fish. It’s definitely worth giving a sludge remover product a try before going through with emptying the pond.

How to Use Pond Sludge Remover?

Each product is a little different so make sure you follow the package instructions on the product you choose. That said, there are some things that most of these products have in common when it comes to application.

While you can put these products in your pond at any time, it’s a good idea to clean out as much of the sludge as you can manually using either a net, shovel, or vacuum.

It’s not that these products won’t work it there’s too much sludge – they will. But the less buildup they have to eat through, the faster you’ll see results.

Some of these products come in liquid form and are simply added to the water. They circulate through the whole pond, increasing the activity of the bacteria to get rid of the sludge. Liquid products are effective across the board and particularly good for long term maintenance.

We also included a few products that come in pellet form. These are a good choice if you have a lot of sludge on the bottom of your pond. To apply, simply scatter the pellets across the pond.

The pellets sink to the bottom of the pond, resting directly on the sludge. This makes them a little more effective for heavy, difficult sludge than liquid products, though liquid products are certainly effective, too.

How to Prevent Pond Sludge?

You know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that is certainly true when it comes to pond sludge. While it isn’t always plausible to remove every last bit of debris, keeping up with regular pond maintenance does wonder for the health of your tank.

One thing you can do is make sure you’re using good pond filtration. Ponds should have good mechanical and biological filtration to keep out as much organic waste as possible while encouraging beneficial bacteria to grow.

Make sure you’re not overstocking your pond or overfeeding your fish. Excess fish waste and uneaten food contribute to a rapid increase in the buildup of debris. A good thing to remember is the fewer fish you have, the easier it will be to keep them healthy.

You should also make sure the oxygen level in the water is adequate. More dissolved oxygen helps the beneficial bacteria work efficiently and gives the fish additional oxygen if not enough is available.

Keeping your plants trimmed can help, too. The better manicured they are, the less likely it is that leaves and plant debris will find its way into the pond. If leaves are a big problem, you can also use leaf netting as a more effective way of keeping them out of the water.

The products we suggested are also great for preventing sludge build-up. You can use them to help clean up a significant sludge problem and continue with maintenance applications to make sure another problem doesn’t arise.

Conclusion

Pond sludge not only looks gross but it can very quickly cause your pond to be unsafe for plants, fish, and other animals. By preventing adequate oxygenation, pond sludge prevents your fish from getting enough air and increases the hydrogen sulfide in the water which can lead to significant problems.

There are a lot of ways to get the sludge out of your pond but pond sludge remover is one of the easiest and most effective. It’s not nearly as labor-intensive as physically removing the sludge with a shovel or vacuum.

With these products, all you have to do is add them to the water and wait, reapplying when necessary. They stimulate the beneficial bacteria already living in your pond to get rid of sludge as well as the debris that could lead to more sludge. They’re great for both treatment and prevention.