Putting your pond to bed for winter does not need to be an arduous process. Sure it’s sad to say goodbye to your finned friends for a few months, but you can ensure they greet you again in the spring with a few simple steps.
Tips for Winterizing Your Pond
1. Install pond netting
Once the leaves start to fall from trees, positioning a pond net over your water feature is one of the easiest ways to keep leaves from clogging it up. Simply roll up the net when all the leaves have fallen, discard them, then put the net away until next time.
2. Clear the Debris
Remove any fallen leaves and debris from your pond before the ice arrives. This will prevent the leaves from clogging your pump and filter and reduce the amount of work you need to do once the ice is in place.
3. Clean the Pump and Filters
Once you’ve removed the debris from your pond, clean the pump and filters. You should do this every fall, but especially if you’ve had a lot of leaves or other debris in the water.
4. Put In Cold Water Bacteria
Adding cold water bacteria to your pond in early fall will help keep your pond healthy through the winter. They will consume the organic waste and prevent your pond from becoming contaminated.
5. Add Pond De-Icers
Protect your fish by installing pond de-icers. These are a significant investment, especially if you live in an area with cold, harsh winters. The ice will melt much slower, giving your fish plenty of time to adjust to the new water conditions.
6. Clean the Skimmer Basket
Make sure that the skimmer basket isn’t clogged with debris. Aside from reducing your pond’s circulation, a clogged skimmer basket can prevent the ice from forming correctly. This can cause the ice to tear and fall out of place, potentially causing damage to your liner or pump.
7. Install Some Lights
Lights can be used to “trick” your fish into thinking that spring is just around the corner. This will help keep your fish active and ensure that you get the most out of your pond during the winter.
8. Secure Your Liner
Remove your liner from the pond so that it can’t be punctured by falling ice or debris. It’s also a good idea to check the liner for any tears that can be mended before the water freezes in.
9. Consider the Temperature When Feeding the Fish
When the water temperature drops, it becomes more difficult for fish to digest food effectively. Your fish will need to bulk up for the winter, but they must not be overfed. Remove any food that hasn’t been consumed in 5 minutes when the water temperature drops into the low 70s. When the water cools to 50 degrees, cease feeding them entirely.
10. Keep Tropical Fish Indoors
Tropical fish don’t have natural protection against cold water temperatures. If the water temperature gets too low, the fish could have a metabolic disorder called chilled fish syndrome. This causes a fish’s immune system to start attacking its body, which ultimately leads to death. If you have tropical fish in your pond and you live in a colder climate, consider keeping them indoors through the winter.
Conclusion
Taking a few moments to ensure that your fish find a warm, safe place to spend the winter will help you enjoy your pond in the spring. Following these tips will allow you to enjoy the beauty of your backyard pond all year round.
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