Plant before you stock
Oxygenating plants settle the water first. Give them a few weeks before adding anything else.
A small pond asks for very little.
Short notes on keeping a garden pond clear and lively, without pumps running all day.
Keep some shade
Lily pads over a third of the surface slow algae down and keep the water cooler in summer.
Clear leaves in autumn
A light net in October saves a lot of work. Rotting leaves are the main cause of cloudy water.
Top up with rainwater
Tap water feeds algae. A water butt beside the pond covers most dry spells.