What to do In Your Pond This Winter
Even warm-climage ponds require some seasonal maintenance.
Winter, regardless of whether you live in northern or southern climates, brings a general slowing down of the pond. The fish aren't
as active, the plants go dormant, and in freezing climates - the water stops moving as well. Both climate regions bring their own
special challenges when it comes to over-wintering water gardens. Listed below are some general steps you can take to make sure
your pond emerges in spring looking great!
Pondering in the South
Aquatic Plants
Although you may continue to see some hardy water lily blooms through the winter, you should have stopped fertilizing your water
lilies and cleaned out any dead vegetation and spent leaves. Depending on the specific southern locality, any tropicals should be
taken out and placed in a container of water (a 5-gal bucket works great) and stored in the garage. Cutting back the marginals will
help the plants get through the couple of months dormancy winter brings.
Fish
The most common question asked is, "What do I do with my fish in the winter?" Well now, the usual answer is, "Nothing, "
though, while the temperatures are around freezing, you might want to consider these tips to help protect your beautiful koi and
goldfish from these cold snaps. Stop feeding them when the water temperature reaches the mid-50’s (F°) and they are no longer
active. This is the time of year when the fish may actually look forward to winter – just in time for a nice long nap.
Pump and Filter System
Winter does not shut us down here in the south – our pumps run 24/7/365. It is important to keep your skimmer free of any
debris and inspect your pump to ensure that it’s operating properly. Leaving the pump on throughout the winter allows the release
of gases, and maintains sufficient oxygen levels. Also remove any netting that your pond may have required during the large leaf
accumulation in fall.
Pondering in the North
When the surface of your water garden turns to ice, there are two things to think of concerning safety of your fish.First, it’s
important to keep a hole open in the ice. This prevents the buildup of gasses that could harm your fish. These gasses develop as
the fish waste and any plant debris decomposes.The important factor is water oxygenation. Although your fish are sleeping their
way through winter, oxygenated water is still vital to their survival through the winter.
Both of these goals can be achieved a couple of different ways. The required preparations do not consume a lot of time, and
certainly don’t threaten to take over your weekend. If you prefer to leave the project to someone else, most pond installers can
usually be hired to do it for you. But if you’re up for getting your hands dirty, here are a few things that you’ll want to take into
consideration when preparing for winter.
Running Your Waterfall
If you chose to keep your waterfall running through the winter, you’ll be rewarded with some extraordinary, natural ice sculptures
and winter scenes.Winter also brings some unique considerations that you’ll need to keep your eye on.
A pump and waterfall that circulates at least 2000 gallons of water per hour is sufficient to keep a hole open in the ice, as well as
oxygenation of the water. Keep an eye on long or slow-moving streams and areas around the waterfall. In these areas, it’s easy for
ice dams to form, diverting water over the liner. It’s important to watch for this, especially on extremely cold days. If you find an
ice dam that’s diverting ater over the edge of the liner, it’s best to turn off the pump. If you chisel the ice buildup away, chances
are it will form again in the same spot and be the source of continuous frustration.
Surprisingly, even during the winter, the water continues to evaporate and therefore needs to be topped off so that your pump
continues to function properly. If you make the extra effort to keep your falls running throughout the winter, you’ll see the most
beautiful ice formations and patterns around the falls and streambeds.
Shutting It Down – The Considerations Many people choose to shut down their pond for the winter because they don’t want to
worry about ice dams or pay for the cost to run a larger pump. If you chose to shut down your waterfall for the winter, you’ll need
to replicate the effects of the waterfall in order keep the water oxygenated and a hole open in the ice.
A pump that circulates at least 150 gallons per hour can be placed in your pond below, but close to, the water’s surface. By
allowing it to bubble about one inch above the surface, the agitation will keep a hole in the ice and oxygenate the water until the air
temperature drops below 10° F.
If the air temperature stays below 10° F for extended periods, you’ll need to add a floating heater in order to maintain the opening
in the ice. Most heaters are equipped with a thermostat that, when set at the proper temperature, switches the heater on only when
needed. Note, afloating heater alone will not oxygenate the water, and therefore can be deadly to your fish.
Winter, wherever you live, is a time for Mother Nature and her "family" to change the scenery a bit.Whether it’s a frozen, white,
wintry scene, or just a rest from the heat of the southern sun, adapting to these changes will ensure that your water garden and its
fish are healthy all year long.