Fall Shutdown Advice
This is a recommended procedure for preparing your pond and fish for Iowa's winters, based on the experiences of Liquid Landscape Desigeners, L.L.C. Call, email or stop by The Pond Store for advice and products to help you winterize your pond!
1. Remove all plant material from the pond to lower the amount of decomposition happening.
a. Cut down all hardy plants / sink containers
b. Remove all tropical plants
c. Clean out as much organic debris as possible from pond (leaves, muck, etc.)
2. Remove pumps, clarifiers, filters to protect them from frost damage. Water tubing/piping will then drain out as well.
a. Store pumps in clean tap water in a location that does not freeze.
b. Clean clarifiers and filters and store in a dry place that does not freeze.
3. Install an aerator to the lowest point, maintaining the oxygen level in the pond.
4. Install a de-icer type heater to keep a hole in the ice and maintain a healthy gas exchange
a. Toxic gasses from decomposition and fish respiration can escape
b. You can run it sparingly to save energy
5. Install pond netting over surface to catch leaves.
6. Add a microbial treatment that is formulated for cold water. This will speed up the breakdown of organic debris and help maintain your fish's immune system.
Pond Shutdown FAQ's
· When should I do the shutdown?
o We perform them in late October and early November here in central Iowa. Some things to consider are the changes that are happening in your pond, and weigh those considerations with how long you would like to experience and enjoy your pond's plants and flowing water.
§ Your plants will die back on their own, but at different rates. Try to cut or remove the plants before they contribute more dead foliage to the pond.
§ Algae growth and decomposition rates slow as temperatures drop, making it more feasible to remove your pump. If you wait until the pond freezes, though, the pump and water lines could be damaged. Make sure to install the aerator before or during the pump removal or the oxygen level in the pond will drop.
§ Timing the netting of your pond is related to the intensity of leaf-fall in your area. The earlier the better.
§ The de-icer heater is related to the surface freezing. You don't need it until there is ice, but again, the earlier it is in the water the better. You can keep it installed and only run it when necessary to save energy.
§ Also, the shutdown is more enjoyable when the water temperature is a little higher, so keep that in mind!
· Should I feed my fish over the winter?
o No. When the water temperatures drop, your fish's metabolism slows. They will eat noticeably less, or stop eating altogether. They will be fine without food during this time, and uneaten food can foul the water.
· My pond is less than 36" deep. Will my fish survive?
o It depends on the situation, but if you take precautions like those listed above, your fish should be just fine. We have routinely seen fish survive in ponds in the 18" to 36" range. Anything shallower than that and you may want to bring your fish in for the winter. Providing "fish caves" is another precaution you can add to your pond to increase survival.