Applications of simple methods to reduce the maintenance of a small solar pond are discussed in this paper. It was found that floating rings along with continuous surface flushing could effectively control and maintain a relatively thin upper. convective layer. A novel system of salt replenishment (a salt charger) is introduced. It is shown that the application of the proposed system is capable of controlling the position of the lower interface. Criteria governing the design of a salt-charger for a salinity-gradient solar pond are developed theoretically and verified experimentally. The design procedures are presented. Experiences relating to the utilization of brine shrimps to improve the transparency of the pond are described. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.