Closing And Preparing Your Pond Fountain For Winter

With winter almost here, you must be worried about maintaining your pond fountain and aerator and keeping it as fresh as possible. This post will help you prepare your pond fountain and the aerators for winter in the best way possible. When you buy Kasco fountains, you should also know what to do with them during the winter season.

Remove Debris

A pond net would be enough to catch falling leaves if your pond is small. If your pond is large, you can invest in a long-handle net to scoop leaves and debris from the water. This netting should be set up earlier in the fall season. You can roll the netting and collect the leaves off the pond once ready to close it down. Make sure you remove the submerged debris collected on the pond floor as well.

Cut Back Dead Aquatic Plants

Debris can also be caused by dying plants. So prune the dead aquatic plants to remove excessive organic debris and prevent water quality problems by eliminating toxic gasses from plant life, which would otherwise decompose in the water.

Cut Back Dead Aquatic Plants

Remove The Fountain/Aerator

Remove the pond fountain, pump, and aerator from the pond. It helps extend the longevity of your products since cold-water conditions can damage and add strain to moving parts if left in the water. The system will not be the same as when you initially buy Kasco fountains. So make sure you take this opportunity to thoroughly inspect your equipment, like examining the power cables for damages and nicks, ensuring the motor turns freely, etc. You can also power-wash all the equipment before storing it for winter. Remember to keep your pond pumps, aerators, and fountain at a place where temperatures will not fall below freezing, and store the submersible motors in water as they will remain water cooled and water lubricated.

Drain Water From Clean Filters And Plumbing

Ensure that you remove excess water from all plumbing in order to prevent the pipes from bursting when the water temperature drops below freezing. Also, remove and clean pond filters by rinsing them with clean water before storing them.

Protect Your Fish From Winter Kill

You can use a pond de-icer to help your fish survive winter slumber. If your pond completely freezes, harmful gasses like ammonia and carbon monoxide will be trapped beneath the ice. This can cause harm to the fish. The de-icer can also keep an area of the pond ice-free during the whole winter, thus allowing oxygen to enter and toxic gasses to escape through this opening. It is an important tool that helps ensure your fish’s survival throughout the cold season; hence remember to check over your de-icer before placing it into the pond. Inspect it thoroughly, check the power cable for any damage or potential problems, and also be sure to plug it outside of the pond to ensure everything is in working order. Never break any ice that forms on your pond, as it can be harmful or even fatal to the fish.

Protect Your Fish From Winter Kill

Add Cold Water Bacteria

Adding cold water bacteria will help to keep the pond water clean and clear. Such bacteria contain concentrated strains of beneficial bacteria designed to work in water temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help maintain the water quality and clarity and dramatically reduce spring maintenance by digesting debris accumulated over the winter months.

Prepare the Water Lilies

Trim the water lilies to two inches above the crown and then move them to a deep part of the pond, maybe two feet deep or more.

Ensure Healthy Fish

Before closing your pond, ensure that your fish are in good condition by giving them a well-balanced diet that creates healthy and happy fish. Their digestion and metabolism slow down if the temperature falls below 60 degrees. But make sure you stop feeding your fish when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees. Look out for fish food that is scientifically formulated to nourish your fish during these lower temperatures properly.

What Happens When You Keep Your Pond Fountain Running?

Although you can keep running your pond fountains and waterfall during the cold season, giving you beautiful ice formations that you can enjoy throughout the season, it will require a lot of maintenance, including topping off the pond due to evaporation. You will also need to ensure that the ice formations do not create dams, as it can cause unnecessary water loss over the stream’s edge. When there is extreme cold, the pond’s surface may completely freeze over, even with the waterfall or fountain running. To avoid this, you can keep a hole in the ice with an aerator or in-pond pump.

Takeaway

We can conclude that closing the pond fountain before winter is important for properly maintaining the pond’s health. A little effort in preparing it for the cold season will help your fish survive and make spring maintenance much easier.