Maintain your pond - Winter maintenance

When the surface of your pond freezes, there are two things to consider concerning safety of your fish.    Keep a hole open in the ice. As fish waste and plant debris decomposes, the gasses created need      to vent to prevent harming your fish.    Keep the water oxygenated. Although your fish are dormant, oxygenated water is still vital to their      survival through the winter. Both goals can be achieved in a couple of different ways:

Moderate Temperatures Very Cold Temperatures Running your pump and waterfall can keep a hole open in the ice as well as oxygenate of the water - and the patterns of the ice formations around your falls and streambed can be truly beautiful! Just keep an eye on your stream and areas around the waterfall, since ice dams can form and divert water over the liner. If this happens, it's best to turn off the pump - if you simply remove the buildup, chances are it will just form again in the same spot. Remember that to keep your pump functioning properly, your pond's water level needs to be topped off, because water continues to evaporate even during the winter. Turn off and remove your pump, and drain the supply line to your waterfall to keep the tubing from cracking. If you need to do this, you'll have to replicate the effects of the waterfall and keep a hole open in the ice, to keep the water oxygenated and allow waste gases to escape. Please remember that even when there is ice on the surface, the pond water is warmer deeper in the pond. You don't want to stir up this warmer water, as this will lower the temperature of the "warm" layer of water where your fish are. The bubbles from an air pump will help keep the water oxygenated, and keep a small surface area free of ice to allow noxious gas to escape - as will a floating deicer.  Did you find what you were looking for easily and quickly? If not, please tell us how we can improve our site and serve you better!