Shutting Down Your Pond for the Winter
If you decide to shut down your pond for the winter, don't forget to:
Remove the pump from your pond and store it in a warm place like the garage or the basement. Protection from the cold lengthens the life of your pump. You might want to keep the pump in water to keep seals fresh.
Drain the water out of the plumbing. This prevents the standing water from freezing and expanding, potentially cracking the pipes that connect your filtration system.
Remove and clean the filter media. Store them in the garage or in the basement along with the pump.
Oxygenate the water by placing a small pump or bubbler on the top shelf of your pond. Oxygenating the water is not only for the sake of your fish, but it also helps keep a hole open in the ice when the surface of your pond starts freezing. This hole allows harmful gases to escape and oxygen to get in.
If it gets really cold you may consider adding an electric deicer. At extremely low temperatures, the oxygenation of the water may not be sufficient to keep a hole open in the ice. That's where the deicer saves the day. It complements the bubbler and together, they'll keep most any pond open.
When the water temperature drops is below 50 degrees, refrain from feeding your fish as their systems are slowing down and they can no longer digest food.
Remove the pump from your pond and store it in a warm place like the garage or the basement. Protection from the cold lengthens the life of your pump. You might want to keep the pump in water to keep seals fresh.
Drain the water out of the plumbing. This prevents the standing water from freezing and expanding, potentially cracking the pipes that connect your filtration system.
Remove and clean the filter media. Store them in the garage or in the basement along with the pump.
Oxygenate the water by placing a small pump or bubbler on the top shelf of your pond. Oxygenating the water is not only for the sake of your fish, but it also helps keep a hole open in the ice when the surface of your pond starts freezing. This hole allows harmful gases to escape and oxygen to get in.
If it gets really cold you may consider adding an electric deicer. At extremely low temperatures, the oxygenation of the water may not be sufficient to keep a hole open in the ice. That's where the deicer saves the day. It complements the bubbler and together, they'll keep most any pond open.
When the water temperature drops is below 50 degrees, refrain from feeding your fish as their systems are slowing down and they can no longer digest food.
