Fishes can be wintered either outdoors or indoors.
This will depend on the construction of the entire
pond according to the inclination of the owner. This
article will focus about things that a hobbyist can do
to properly protect and care for his fishes during
winter if his pond is situated outdoors.

If you’re living in a country where winter is the most
prominent season of the year, better build a pond
wherein a portion of it is about 30-45 inches deep.
This will protect the fishes from long periods of cold
spells. Even more drastic than cold water is the
building up of gasses which are toxic in a pond that
is iced over completely for a certain amount of time.
Therefore, it is mandatory that a part of the pond’s
surface is kept open to enable the pond to circulate
air that results to the disposal of deadly gasses and
adds oxygen. You can accomplish this by:

a. Aerator. This is a large air stone that is operated
by an aquarium air pump which can constantly create a
small opening inside the ice. Unfortunately, placement
is quite critical and hard to be arranged precisely.
Ideally, the aerator should be placed halfway
measuring from the deepest part of the entire pond and
should be monitored frequently. Chances are, if the
aerator is placed too near from the surface, it has a
tendency to freeze, if placed deeper, it can chill the
entire pond.

b. De-Icer or Heater. There are different kinds of
de-icers that can be safely used for performed ponds,
liner or even in concrete. Out of the use of
electricity, a puncture can be made through the iced
pond where it serves as breathing hole for fishes.
Sometimes, the most efficient de-icers or heaters can
produce an ice-free pond even if the winter weather is
overwhelming.

b. Water pump. Same limitations to an aerator, a water
pump can provide an opening on the surface of the pond
but with several conditions. One condition is that the
pump must be mounted on the deepest part yet should be
far enough from the bottom to avoid water circulation
and far enough from the surface so that it wouldn’t
solidly freeze. Regularly inspect the pump because it
can freeze solid or run dry, these can destroy the
integrity of the pump.

Covering the pond can be helpful for the fishes and
the devices used. It can protect the pond from extreme
coldness and will reduce the amount of electricity
that your heater needs. Although, the cover must
always be raised to enable gas exchange and prevent
toxic substances to reside in the pond. The structure
would turn out like a wooden frame is built over the
pond at its surface then it will be covered with
plywood. Insulating materials can follow. The covering
must possess sturdiness to withstand the long days of
snow accumulation.

Last concern is feeding your fish. Actually, you can
drop this idea for even if your pets seem to be quite
interested, they will just ignore the food that you’ll
give. This is because during cold days, metabolism can
be quite sluggish. Although, to prevent starvation,
you can supplement them food that can easily be
digested like the ones that are made from wheat germ.

Proper care of your pond fishes during winter can be
crucial to your pets especially when it is located
outdoors.

If you’re planning to build a landscape at your own
yard, it wouldn’t be complete without an oasis of
calming effects – a fish pond. Imagine coming home
bushed up with your tiring day and you just wanted to
sit by your pond and breathe a sigh of relief.
Relaxing isn’t it? Although, you can’t take it all up.
There are things that you have to think of regarding
the proper care and maintenance of your fish pond.

A fish pond requires a lot of thing. When seasons are
changing, especially during crucial times like winter
and fall, special kinds of attention are needed by
your pond and the things living inside it. Worry not,
because when summer comes, every single chore and hard
work will payoff quite nicely.

What are the important materials and tools that you’ll
generally need?

• Pond filter – basically, to filter every ounce of
dirt in your pond

• Fish food – to keep your fishes alive (obviously).
If you’re thinking about giving your fishes fresh
drinking water, that’ll be redundant.

• Leaf netting – to ward off falling leaves. Leaves
can make your pond look more like a garbage disposal
than a tranquil landscape.

• Plant fertilizer – a fish pond wouldn’t be complete
if there are no plants for they provide additional
nourishment to the fish. In the absence of fish food,
plants can be a good food substitute. That is why, it
is important that plants are fertilized to grow
healthy.

Other materials that can be used, occasionally, are
the water de-chlorinator and the floating de-icer.
Below are the needed procedures.

Step # 1

Before you turn your filter on, make sure that it is
working properly and is clean. Once the filter is on,
you’ll notice that unwanted debris is being flushed
out. Thus, making your pond spiffy clean. Clean you
pond filter at least once a week.

Step # 2

Feed the fish. Be sure it’s fish food. Just by
determining the water and weather temperature, you can
know when or how many feedings or what kind of fish
food should you give. If the temperature of the water
is more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, feed at least
three times daily. During spring, feed your pets cold
fish food then change it to a high protein diet the
moment the water reaches a warmth of 70 degrees
Fahrenheit. These will give them sufficient nutrients
to carry through the years.

Step # 3

Fertilize your plants at least thrice a week. If in
doubt, follow instructions given out for every plant
purchase.

Step # 4

Place the leaf net just above the pond to keep the
leaves from falling in your pond. Leaf netting is very
important especially during autumn when trees tend to
foliage.

Step # 5

Use the floating de-icer especially when the weather
gets cold to prevent the water inside the pond from
freezing. This will enable your fish to receive
appropriate amount of oxygen needed during winter.
Another alternative is to cover the fish pond with a
thick tarp, straw and plywood that can help to provide
proper insulation.

Step # 6

Drain the water inside the pond when spring comes.
While you’re at it, scrape off all dead debris and
sludge. A clean pond will help your fish be healthy
and at the same time prevent the growth of bacteria
that can cause diseases in your fish.

Proper maintenance and care of your fish pond will
both be an advantage for you and your fish.

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