Ponds in the Winter

Winter
Winter is the time to relax and plan you next pond. The pond plants and animals will be resting and require almost no care. You just have to keep the pond from freezing solid.

Winter Tasks:

• Keep pond from freezing solid :
• As organics decompose in the pond they can produce toxic gases that could be trapped in the pond if it is covered by ice for more than a few days. It is important to keep at least a small area free of ice so that these gases can escape. Do not break the ice as the shock waves created can damage or kill your fish. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a floating pond de-icer (or use boiling water)www.classicgardencreations.com. This device floats in the pond and has a built in thermostat to turn the heating element on when the water temperature drops below 40 degrees. They can also be used to keep a small pond from freezing solid allowing you to keep your fish alive.
• If filter systems, pumps, waterfalls, etc. are going, check daily for leaks due to ice jams.
• You can turn off the pumps and filters for the winter. Cold water holds much more oxygen than warm water and the fish's respiration is slow therefore you should not need the circulation and aeration. The bacteria in your biological filter does not work in cold temperatures so the only reason to run the filter is to keep the bacteria alive. If you turn off the pump and filter for the winter be sure to drain all plumbing. External filters, UV's, and external pumps will need to be drained. Submersible pumps should be left in the pond or in a bucket of water in a warm place to keep the seals from drying out. If you choose this method be sure to clean the filter before starting up in the spring.
  
  Monitor water levels and add water if the pond gets low.
• Plan for any new plants, fish, or other animals you want to add next year.
• Check pond daily for dead fish, leaks, overturned pots, or other problems.
• Stop feeding your fish after the water temperature has dropped to the upper forties.
• Also when the water temperature has dropped into the forties, reduce the circulation of the pond water by either turning off the pump for the winter and draining of all the plumbing or preferably by placing the pump or the intake to the pump closer to the water outlet (waterfall etc.) and pick up water from mid-level of the pond. Also turn down the water flow. Keeping the water flowing through your biological filter allows the bacteria to live therefore giving good water quality early in the spring.
  
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