Ok so...I didn't "scoop" waste from bottom during the spring. Didn't know I was supposed to do that. I inherited this pond from from owners of house I'm renting. Owner says I should add some more plants. I already have one lotus and a water lily. but fish ate water lily. I added some sludge remover today. Hope it does the trickThank you! My ponds run all year round and I think that is one of the main reasons my water is so clear. Plus I never disturb the "old soft lush algae growth" on sides of pond. All I ever do is clean the underwater filters, scoop any waste from bottom ponds in spring, and top up ponds as needed. Running ponds year round really is the main reason I truly believe.....