How Do I Winter proof My Pond?

The colder months can be particularly unkind to your pond and its inhabitants. These things can cause all manner of problems that to first time pond keeper can put them off the hobby all together. There are many things you can do to winter proof your pond and keep your fish happy and healthy during this chilly time of year. Here below are some of the most common issues that pond keepers face in winter and how to fix them.

How to stop your pond from freezing over

If the water in your pond may be starting to freeze just a few patches of ice aren’t typically a problem but if you let your pond completely freeze over then it can have some devastating effects on the health of your pond and its inhabitants.

Almost everything that lives in your pond needs oxygen to survive and most oxygen available in water is directly absorbed from the atmosphere. If your pond’s surface is completely covered in ice then oxygen can’t dissolve into the liquid water underneath. A layer of ice can also trap harmful gases like methane inside your pond and prevent them from ‘gassing off’.

There are several ways to prevent your pond from freezing over and ensure that it can gas off effectively. The most effective way is to install a pond heater.

For small, geometrically shaped ponds, an insulating sheet cut to size is a great way to trap in heat or polycarbonate sheeting is another way. You could also place an inflatable football or even a empty plastic milk carton into your pond the night before a Big Freeze it’ll float around and prevent a layer of ice from forming all the way across your pond.

Some pond keepers also keep their pond pumps  running throughout winter in a bid to keep the surfaces of their ponds free of ice. This is an effective method because flowing water is less likely to freeze.

How to feed your pond fish during winter

Most pond fish enter a dormant state during winter much like hibernation. They don’t  hibernate but their digestive systems do slow down. This means they don’t need much food  some Koi keepers even choose to stop feeding Koi entirely in the  winter. However it’s a good idea to offer your Koi something to eat around 2 to 3 times a week. The best kind of foods to feed in winter are those high in wheatgerm which is a natural wheat-based food that aids a fish’s digestive system. Avoid feeding high protein foods during these colder months as they can lead to constipation and other more serious health problems.

As winter turns into spring and temperatures start to increase so you could mix some wheatgerm with some high protein food to feed your koi. This will kickstart their digestive systems and get them ready for summer when they’ll go back to a largely protein based diet. By doing this you’ll provide your pond fish with the variable nutrition they need to thrive.

How to maintain your pump during winter

We would always recommend leaving your pump on continually through out the year the pond water needs to be filtered through your filter all the time and is essential to your koi. You can take extra precautions in bad weather but never turn it all unless you have to and always remember your Koi need a constant supply of oxygen no mater what.

Reasons against keeping your pump running

If you have a wildlife pond with no pond fish then there’s no need to keep your pump running so you can cut down on your energy expenditure and protect it from frost damage by turning it off and bringing it inside. If you have a waterfall or fountain in your wildlife pond, then you may want to keep your pump running in order to keep it flowing with water. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that waterfalls and fountains are prone to ice blockages during winter. sometime causing  blockages which can cause water to divert away from your pond effectively draining it.

Adding a roof over your pond or using a cover 

Some koi hobbyists are covering there ponds in the winter moths with either a purpose built roof that is there all year round or using polycarbonate to cover the top of the pond making sure to leave adequate gaps for gassing off This is a very good way of trying to keep the water temperature fluctuation’s to a minimal as Koi don’t like big drops in temperature quickly. it is also a good way to keep heat in if you decide to heat your pond, some people build poll tunnels over the top of the ponds all winter encasing them protecting them from those water temperature fluctuation’s and from predator’s all at the same time

Some helpful tips:

Don’t bang on ice that has formed on you pond The sound waves from doing this can harm your fish. Instead pour some warm water into a bucket or container and place it on the ice to slowly melt it.

Don’t forget water tests and keep in mind lots of debris and algae can build up in your pond during winter. Keep your water clean and clear by removing as much as possible

Don’t add new fish  This will add extra waste to your pond during a time when it’s important to keep your bio loads lower.

Don’t forget to check on your fish daily. Your koi will still need feeding and protecting from any predators.

Don’t  forget to clean and make sure you keep up to date with the maintenance of cleaning your filter and still doing a small water change. In the spring you can give your pond a deep clean. This will keep your pond healthy and ensure it flourishes in the year ahead.