The Importance of a Pond Thermometer

When should you change the type of beneficial bacteria you are adding to your pond?  When should you change the food you are feeding your fish or better yet, when should you stop feeding your fish for the year?

These are all questions that need one simple tool to be answered -- a pond thermometer!

Here are the questions you can answer with your pond thermometer...

Which Beneficial Bacteria should I use?

Beneficial bacteria occur naturally in your pond.  But, in order to keep the bacteria levels high and consistent, we use water treatments that contain beneficial bacteria also.  These bacteria are how your biological waterfall or other filter works in your pond and how you can keep your water clear and healthy.  Bacteria products contain different strains -- some for warm water and some for cooler water so that you use the best product for the specific time of year.

Cool Ponds BioClear and Clean and BioClear Extreme are formulated for warmer water or water temperatures above 50 degrees.  Under 50 degrees, we recommend Spring and Fall Prep bacteria, down to 35 degrees.  

When Can I Feed My Fish?

Under 55 degrees (some say 50 degrees) you should not feed your fish at all.  At this low temperature, your fish are dormant or near hibernation.  They might be moving some but mostly they are going to be at the bottom of your pond, resting.  Between 55 and 65 degrees, it's better to feed them a food that easier to digest and will give them the nutrients they need for the time of year -- either spring or fall.  Cool Ponds Spring and Fall fish food gets your fish ready for the long winter.  Once the water is at or above 65 degrees, begin feeding them a high protein food like Cool Ponds Premium Fish Food.  A high protein food gives your fish the nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy without the junk and fillers in some fish foods.

When is it safe to put tropical plants in my water feature?

Tropical plants add so much to a water feature!  Not only are they beautiful, bloom profusely, and grow bigger, but they are super at pulling nutrients out of the water that otherwise could feed algae.  But tropical plants need warm water to survive and thrive.  It's best to put tropical plants in your pond after the water has reached 70 degrees or more.  Conversely, if you plan to keep your tropical plants inside over the winter, make sure to bring them in before the first frost.  If you are going to discard them, take them out before the water temp is 35 degrees.

Download our handy chart for future use.

Want all the info in one place? Download our chart for future reference. Just click the photo below.

Pro tip...

Don't leave the thermometer in the pond all the time -- it will become covered in algae and hard to read!

Thanks for reading.  Let us know if we can help -- that's what we are here for!

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Shhhh....Want to know a secret?

Because you read this blog post, you get a treat.

Spend $50 on water treatments, fish supplies, or plants supplies and get a FREE pond thermometer!

Use code FREETHERM at check out. Don't forget to add the thermometer to your cart.

Valid for one thermometer per household.

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