Winter Pond Care to Protect Your Backyard Fish
To prevent deadly gas build-up it is necessary to keep an area of the pond open to allow air to circulate. This will allow the gases to escape and increase the oxygen levels in the pond. There are several ways to accomplish this.
One way to achieve this is by using an aerator. An aerator is an air stone that can help keep a small opening in the ice. Properly placing the stone is crucial. It must be placed at the mid-point of pond depth. This means that if the deepest part of the pond is 30 inches deep the aerator should be placed at 15 inches. The depth of the aerator should be monitored throughout the winter.
Another device for providing winter pond care is a de-icer. There are many different kinds available that can be used safely in backyard ponds. Some of the more powerful de-icers can keep the entire pond ice free even during the harshest of winters.
A water pump is another idea for winter pond care. The water pump is much like the aerator in that it must be monitored and kept at the proper depth in the water. It needs to stay near the mid-depth of the pond. Make sure the pump does not freeze or run dry as this can destroy the pump.
If none of these winter pond care devices are an option, you can keep make a hole in the ice manually. This means that you will need to monitor your pond almost daily during harsh weather to be sure the hole has not frozen solid.
A pond cover is also a good purchase when planning your winter pond care. The cover helps protect from extremely cold temperatures and helps save electricity on your pumps and de-icing devices. Ensure that the cover is raised to let the gases escape adequately. Think of the cover as a wooden frame that sits over your pond. If you are making your own cover you will need to plan for using sturdy materials that will be able to hold accumulating snows.
Feeding your fish is one part of winter pond care that you do not need to worry about. Your fish will not eat during the cold winter months. Metabolism of fish during the winter becomes very slow as a built-in mechanism to help them survive without food. If you feel you need to feed your fish during the winter, try providing them with an easily digestible fish food. Wheat germ based fish foods are some of the easiest to digest.
Proper winter pond care is essential to keep your backyard fish friends happy and thriving for years to come. With a little planning, your pond will be ready in no time for the long winter months ahead.
