How to Prepare for the Next Really Harsh Winter
It's All In the Preparations, Really
ORIGINALLY POSTED APRIL 14, 2014
We've just emerged from a winter that I think most of us will agree was the worst winter we have ever experienced here in central Indiana. Not only did we have a lot of snow -- over 50", but we had temps more like a Canadian winter. We've heard a lot of stories of customers losing fish due to the harsh conditions (hopefully not you)... but listen to this... at our Cool Ponds store and at our staff members homes (that's lots of ponds) there were only two fish lost this winter! Yes, two fish total! So what are we doing that kept our fish alive, thriving, and healthy all winter? Read on...
There are no secrets here. These are all steps that we stress every fall on our blog, in our emails, our printed newsletter and on our website. But now there's proof that not only do we know what we're talking about, but these steps are necessary.
Use an Aerator Instead of a Pond Deicer
With the temperatures we experienced, pond deicers simply couldn't keep up. In most cases, aerators couldn't either (the aerator stones placed close to the water surface agitate the water and in normal winters keep an opening in the ice) but with using an aerator, oxygen was still getting pumped into the pond. That's half the purpose of a pond deicer -- to allow oxygen in so your fish can "breathe." For most ponds this winter, pond deicers were mostly useless.
Make Sure Your Pond is Really Clean in the Fall
The other purpose of keeping a hole in the ice is to let harmful gases out. Those gases are created when organic debris decays. Organic debris consists of tree leaves, aquatic plants, fish waste, that "muck" layer in the pond bottom, etc. If your pond is clean those gases will be at a minimum, meaning your pond will be safer for your fish if it happens to ice over.
Do Not Disturb the Warm Water at the Bottom of the Pond
The warmest place in your pond is at the very bottom, in the deepest part. That is most likely where your fish congregate and rest for winter. It is extremely important that the water in that area not be disturbed or mixed with the rest of the pond water. If your pond pump sits in the bottom of your pond... you are disturbing the water and chilling your fish. If you have an aerator and didn't raise the stones or plate up to the water surface, you are chilling your fish. Fish are cold blooded but freezing them or keeping them too cold will kill them. If your pump sits in the bottom of your pond, either do not run it in the winter or move it up to a shelf.
Consider Your Pond Design
Pond design has a lot to do with fish health as well. Large waterfalls that dump directly into the pond are not safe for fish in the winter. Ponds that are too shallow (less that 2') are also not safe for fish in winter.
Of course there can be exceptions to all of the above. Maybe your fish made it but you didn't follow one or all of the above guidelines. For the safety of your fish and your peace of mind, I would consider all of the above for next winter season.
Please remember we're always here to help!
Thanks for reading,
Staci
ORIGINALLY POSTED APRIL 14, 2014
We've just emerged from a winter that I think most of us will agree was the worst winter we have ever experienced here in central Indiana. Not only did we have a lot of snow -- over 50", but we had temps more like a Canadian winter. We've heard a lot of stories of customers losing fish due to the harsh conditions (hopefully not you)... but listen to this... at our Cool Ponds store and at our staff members homes (that's lots of ponds) there were only two fish lost this winter! Yes, two fish total! So what are we doing that kept our fish alive, thriving, and healthy all winter? Read on...
There are no secrets here. These are all steps that we stress every fall on our blog, in our emails, our printed newsletter and on our website. But now there's proof that not only do we know what we're talking about, but these steps are necessary.
Use an Aerator Instead of a Pond Deicer
With the temperatures we experienced, pond deicers simply couldn't keep up. In most cases, aerators couldn't either (the aerator stones placed close to the water surface agitate the water and in normal winters keep an opening in the ice) but with using an aerator, oxygen was still getting pumped into the pond. That's half the purpose of a pond deicer -- to allow oxygen in so your fish can "breathe." For most ponds this winter, pond deicers were mostly useless.
Make Sure Your Pond is Really Clean in the Fall
The other purpose of keeping a hole in the ice is to let harmful gases out. Those gases are created when organic debris decays. Organic debris consists of tree leaves, aquatic plants, fish waste, that "muck" layer in the pond bottom, etc. If your pond is clean those gases will be at a minimum, meaning your pond will be safer for your fish if it happens to ice over.
Do Not Disturb the Warm Water at the Bottom of the Pond
The warmest place in your pond is at the very bottom, in the deepest part. That is most likely where your fish congregate and rest for winter. It is extremely important that the water in that area not be disturbed or mixed with the rest of the pond water. If your pond pump sits in the bottom of your pond... you are disturbing the water and chilling your fish. If you have an aerator and didn't raise the stones or plate up to the water surface, you are chilling your fish. Fish are cold blooded but freezing them or keeping them too cold will kill them. If your pump sits in the bottom of your pond, either do not run it in the winter or move it up to a shelf.
Consider Your Pond Design
Pond design has a lot to do with fish health as well. Large waterfalls that dump directly into the pond are not safe for fish in the winter. Ponds that are too shallow (less that 2') are also not safe for fish in winter.
Of course there can be exceptions to all of the above. Maybe your fish made it but you didn't follow one or all of the above guidelines. For the safety of your fish and your peace of mind, I would consider all of the above for next winter season.
Please remember we're always here to help!
Thanks for reading,
Staci
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