Proper Winter Care for Your Fish Pond Outdoors

Water features can both add value to one’s home as well as eliminate stress levels. They can be both indoor or outdoor features. Either having them installed indoors or out depends on the homeowner and what their desire is. If the pond is installed outside, there are some simple steps to help maintain them through the winter months. If winter stays throughout the year in your area, make sure that it is dug about 48 inches deep to allow for the fish to stay on the bottom. The thick ice on top will help protect the fish from the cold water and toxic gasses that buildup in the ice overtime. If one has too much ice on top for long periods, it will be a good idea to make a hole so that the air can circulate throughout the bottom of the water.

An aerator is a good idea to help create a small opening in the ice, but the placement of the aerator can be crucial. It needs to be placed halfway in the deepest part of the pond. If the aerator is put too close to the surface, it can freeze, and if it’s too deep, it can cause the whole pond to become too cold.

A deicer or heater works well for concrete ponds. Make a hole into the pond water and place the deicer inside to help keep the water warm. When the water is warm, the fish can breathe better. The water pump is also a good way to go because it can help the water circulate which helps the oxygen move.

Another way to keep your pond winterized is by covering it. Covering the pond in extreme cold temperatures will help protect the fish. The only downfall is the amount of snow that may accumulate on top. The plus side is that during the cold winter months, fish tend not to eat so feeding them is not a problem.

It is also advisable to plant plants around your pond for sir quality control.