A few hours of prep in fall means healthy fish and a clean start in spring. Work through this list before your first hard freeze.
Before the leaves drop
- Stretch pond netting over the water to catch falling leaves.
- Skim out leaves and debris already in the pond. Less organic matter means fewer gases building up under the ice.
- Trim back dying plant foliage, and bring tropical plants indoors.
Fish
- Feed less as the water cools. Fish digest slowly in cold water.
- Switch to a cold-water food once the water drops below about 60°F.
- Stop feeding once the water stays below about 50°F. Don't start again until spring water is back above that.
Equipment
- Set up your aerator before the first freeze. Place the air stone at a shallower depth than you would in summer, so it doesn't disturb the warmer water at the bottom where your fish rest.
- In areas with hard freezes, shut down waterfalls and streams. They can freeze and divert water out of the pond.
- Remove and store equipment that could freeze and crack, like UV clarifiers and external filters, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- In very cold areas, add a floating de-icer alongside your aerator to keep the opening from closing during long freezes.
All winter
- Check that the vent hole is still open after snowstorms and cold snaps.
- Never smash the ice. The shock waves can stress or harm your fish. If the hole closes, melt a new one with hot water.
Questions about getting your pond ready? Email contact@pondwell.com, and we'll help.