Question
I am just opening my pond - water is black, slug on the bottom and water smells really bad.
  What can I do to clear the water up, other then emptying the pond and starting all over?

Answer
Well Joan you didn't say if you covered you pond all winter or what size it is so I will try to cover everything. First if you are covering your pond use something porous like a mesh to let air get to it. Here is what I would do. The black slug needs to be removed. Its dead leaves and the like. You can either vacuum it out with a WET/DRY vacuum or if its small you can use your hands though the water is still pretty cold in my area. I haven't started on mine yet still to cold. One of my ponds is 9x14 so I get boots on and get in it and scoop all the stuff out and then run my wet dry vacuum on the bottom when it settles. I hope this helps please feel free to ask again. Thanks Eric