As the nights become cooler it won’t be long before leaves change color
and float to the ground. We recommend a few simple solutions to
maintaining a healthy pond and being able to successfully overwinter your
fish.
Leaf nets are a practical solution to minimizing the amount of debris that
enters the pond. They are available in four sizes; 7' X 10', 14' X 14', 28' X
28' and 28' X 45'. It is very important to stretch the net tightly and place
boards or pool pillows under the net to keep it from sagging into the pond.
Once a net sags and becomes full of wet leaves, it seems to become a
magnet for additional leaves from your neighborhood, soon after, the net
and leaves freeze on the surface and will remain until the pond thaws.
Microbe Lift Fall/Autumn Prep, contains healthy bacteria and enzymes
which help dissolve organic debris and some leaves during the colder
months.
Minimizing the amount of leaves in the pond will reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide produced from decomposition.
Aeration Kits are the most critical element to keeping your fish alive in the
winter. They infuse the pond with a continuous amount of fresh,
oxygenated air and will also maintain a hole in the ice. Simply put....”If
you want your fish to live, use an aeration kit.”
Pond Heaters are recommended for use in very small ponds only as a
backup. Keeping a hole in the ice using electric heat is the most inefficient
method available.
I regard the "energy efficient" heaters as "inefficient" at keeping your fish
alive. Many pond owners have unplugged their heaters after receiving
their first $300 electric bill! Some of the “energy efficient” heaters will not
maintain a large enough hole in the ice for Koi. The energy efficient floating
heaters are fine for a few small goldfish.
If you want to keep your Koi alive, use an aeration kit.
Rob’s Plastic Bag Analogy
In my 15+ years of pondering, I have seen and heard every possible
method of keeping fish alive in the winter. We all know that a plastic bag
should never be placed over ones head for fear of suffocation. Ice on your
water garden is in effect a plastic bag to your fish. If you successfully keep
a hole in the ice/bag, suffocation will not occur. Aeration kits will keep a
hole in the ice and add valuable oxygen to the pond.
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