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.
