Expert Advice
Winter Garden Pond Care |
January 08, 2009
Ed Duncan Jr. |
 Winter Pond Care
- Ponds should be at least two feet deep
- Debris successfully removed before the pond iced over
- Maintain an opening in the ice
We have been helping customers get their pond (and the fish) through the winter safely. Her are a few tips and things to consider.
Water Depth- ponds two feet deep or deeper will not freeze solid to the bottom. The bottom layer of water is slightly warmed by the earth temperature. If a pump is used during the winter the pump should be located in the upper 12 inches of the pond so as not to mix the warmer bottom water with the cooler upper layer.
Feeding- With cooler water temperatures the fish become dormant and should not be fed. Feeding your pond fish can actually be harmful during the winter months. The dormant fish have a very slow metabolism and the muscles that they use to digest the food are not functioning. Hence their body cannot properly process the food.
Debris-Rotting vegetation such as leaves that made their way into the pond and plant stems from pond plants were hopefully removed during the pond closing. Rotting vegetation consumes valuable oxygen and can produce toxins.
Maintain an opening in the ice- To allow toxic gases out and oxygen in, the pond surface must have an opening maintained throughout the winter. This is typically achieved by using a bubbler pump, deicer pump, or floating pond heater. The pumps have the added benefit of moving the water surface that will improve the oxygen level and help toxic gasses to escape. The best success rate is achieved using both. After a snow storm or during extreme cold spells the pond opening may cover up for a few days. If this happens, after three or more days you may need to take some measures. Since fish communicate by vibration, it is not recommended that you pound on the ice. Imagine putting a metal bucket on you head and then someone pounding on that with a hammer...Ouch! Try hot water, perhaps boiling water in a pot and then set the pot on the ice and let it melt through. Tie a string on the pot just in case it goes under.
Hopefully these tips are helpful... if you have questions please give us a call 518-783-3474. or email us at info@eddiesaqua.com
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