While you can get a lot of enjoyment out of a backyard pond, you might be worried about your pond during the winter. How can you avoid pond freezing? Should you run your pond pump during the winter? You can find answers to these questions and more information about winter pond maintenance below.
Should You Turn Your Pond Pump Off In the Winter?
This isn’t a question that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, you need to look at your own circumstances and let that guide your decision. To start, you’ll need to consider the climate that you live in. If the temperatures in your area don’t drop below freezing during the winter, you should feel free to keep the pond running.
If you’re in a colder climate, however, shutting your pump off may be the safest option. If your pond does wind up freezing, you could also wind up with a frozen pipe. This could damage or even destroy the pipe entirely. Shutting the pump off before the water freezes can help you keep the pump in good condition.
Turning your pump off could be a problem if you have fish or other creatures in your pond. Your pump circulates the water in your pond, which prevents stratification while oxygenating the water. Thankfully, there’s a way to safely run a pond pump even in freezing temperatures.
How Do You Avoid Pond Freezing?
If you live in an area with cold winters, you can use a pond heater to keep your pond at a higher temperature. A heater is an essential investment if you have fish in your pond. Not only will a heater allow you to operate your pond pump throughout the winter, but it will keep the water warm enough for your fish.
There are many types of pond heaters on the market at a wide range of price points. Many heaters are small and inexpensive to run. If you’re thinking ahead to the winter season, and you want to make sure you’re prepared, now is an excellent time to invest in a pond heater.
What Should You Do If Your Pond Ices Over?
If your pond is covered in ice, you may be tempted to bang on the ice until it breaks. While you should try to make a hole in the ice, smashing the ice could wind up harming your fish. Instead, you should use a de-icer to create a hole that lets gases out. You shouldn’t leave your de-icer running, but you should check on your pond periodically and create a new hole in the ice as needed.
Some types of pond heaters will also make a hole in the water for you. If you’re worried about aeration, you could also try placing aeration stones in your pond.
Do You Need to Feed Your Fish During the Winter?
While feeding your fish is an essential chore, giving fish the same amount of food that you normally do can actually do more harm than good during the winter. Fish become far less active during the winter, and because of that, the amount of food they need significantly decreases.
Instead of feeding your dish on a daily basis, you should try feeding your fish about once per week. There are also special types of fish foods that are specifically designed to meet a fish’s needs during colder seasons.
As long as your backyard pond is properly cared for, it can be a source of joy all year long. Take the time to answer your questions before winter starts. That way, you can keep your pond — and the creatures within it — in great shape.