i don't know the answer to your question but your title is just begging for a joke.
such as: if you take your prozac before cleaning the pond, you might not do as good a job.
sorry! just couldn't resist.

someone! please answer her question. i'd like to know too.
min

Good one min3! I had to laugh too when I read it from your persepctive.

Since there haven't been any replies, I believe I'm going to go with the thorough cleaning first. The pump has been running for a month and the water looks clear. Ammonia level is good. There has to be some debris left from winter. It's hard to see what's down at the bottom and in between the rocks.

I think improving the water quality first followed by the medication may be best. We can do another water exchange after the treatment.

If anyone has any other thoughts, I would like to hear from you.

Ilene

Dunno if it's useful or if you already did anything, but I'd say - if you have space to do it - move the infected fish to a smaller container that is separate from the main pond, treat it in _there_, with lots of water changes, and clean the main pond as you like.

But, I may be entirely insane. I have only had a pond for... 2 months now. It came with the house we bought. :)

Suzanne

Medication is more effective in a clean pond.