What’s the best shape for a garden pond?
There are a number of key things to consider including: the views and enjoyment, shade vrs sunlight, overhanging trees, wildlife, drainage, and safety.
Should I turn my pond filters off in winter?
If you have fish, you should keep your pond filters online all year. Pond filters are essential for maintaining good water quality even during the winter. Which is essential for the health and wellbeing of your fish.
The bacteria that live on your pond filter media perform an essential role. They break down toxic ammonia to less harmful nitrate, and then to virtually harmless nitrate.
During winter, your fish will be less active and no longer feeding. However they still produce some ammonia (secreted from their gills).
It is therefore essential to keep your filter pumps on to maintain a steady supply of pond water to your filter bacteria.
Keeping your filter on over the winter is especially critical come the spring. With water temperatures and levels of organic matter both increasing, it is vital that your filter bactera are alive and kicking.
Any delay in the recolonisation of filter bacteria in spring can lead to spikes in toxic ammonia and nitrite. Couple this with the fact that the immune systems of fish are at their lowest ebb at this time of year, and your fish could be at risk of stress and disease, and may even die.
While waste may not accumulate in your pond filters as fast over the winter period, you should still inspect filters regularly. Purge any waste and sediment, and clean the media with pond water as required.
So keep those filters online in winter and be sure to look in on them now and then!
More winter pond tips and advice...
Should I use a pond net cover in autumn and winter?
Pond covers are square or rectangular nets that you secure about the edges of your pond. Used during the year they are a good way to protect small to medium sized fish from herons.
Should I turn my water feature off in winter?
Provided your waterfall or feature is not part of your filtration recirculation system you can turn your water fall or water feature off in winter.
Should I turn my UV clarifier off in winter?
If you have fish, don’t turn off your UV clarifiers in winter. They don’t just kill algae that cause ‘green water’. They also kill bacteria and viruses that can cause disease in your fish.
Should I turn my pond pumps off in winter?
All pond pumps except those feeding pond filters can be turned off in winter to save electricity. Pond filters should be online all year including winter.
Should I lower the water level of my pond in winter?
Reducing water levels in winter is sometimes suggested to stop ponds overflowing, but this may put fish and wildlife at risk.
Should I feed my fish during winter?
You should not feed your fish during winter when the water is cold. Unlike us, fish are generally just fine going without food.
Should I cut back my water lilies in winter?
Water lilies and other submerged plants die back in winter. If you have fish, it is a good idea to cut them right back to just above the rhizomes. This reduces the amount of decaying matter in your pond and improves water quality.
Should I cut back my marginal pond plants in winter?
Dead and dying pond plants provide vital habitat for the survival of wildlife during winter. But if your focus is on the well-being of your fish you may want to cut them back.
Should I clean my pond before winter?
Late winter or early spring is the best time to completely drain down your pond for a thorough clean.
However before winter arrives it is handy to have a pond skimmer to harvest falling leaves, and a pond vac to remove excess waste from the bottom of your pond.
How to prevent my pond freezing over?
It is important for fish and wildlife that you prevent a complete sheet of ice from forming over your pond during winter.
How to prepare your pond for winter
How you prepare your pond for winter depends on the type of pond you have; a natural pond with a focus on wildlife, or fish ponds.