Fall
Taking a little time and effort in the fall to prepare your pond for winter not only helps your fish survive their winter slumber but makes your spring maintenance much easier.
Health of Your Pond Fish
In the colder months of the year, your fish’s metabolism slows down in preparation for hibernation.
Low Oxygen
- In climates where your pond will ice over, low oxygen and the buildup of harmful gases trapped under the ice can create dangerous conditions for your fish. Removing any excess decaying leaves and debris before winter will help reduce the buildup of toxic gas.
Feeding Pond Fish
- Water Temperature Below 60°F:
This is a good time to transition to a food that is formulated for low water temperatures such as our Aquascape Premium Cold Water Fish Food Pellets. - Water Temperature Below 50°F:
When water temperature falls to 50 degrees, you should stop feeding your fish.
Leaves and Debris
- Adding Protective Pond Netting over your water feature is the easiest way to contain and manage leaves.
- Be sure to empty your skimmer’s debris net often to keep up with the influx of leaves.
- Remove as many leaves as possible or other debris from the bottom of your pond using a long-handled pond skimmer net.
Plant Care
- Prune yellowing leaves off all your plants. Your lilies – tropical and hardy – should still be going strong, at least until the first heavy frost.
- As the temperature gets colder and your plants expire, cut back the dead plant material and remove the tropical plant.
- Stop fertilizing plants when the weather becomes cooler. This lets the plants know the season is coming to an end.
Water Quality and Clarity
- Too much organic matter in your pond may turn the water brown. If this happens, remove the excess debris, and add Activated Pond Carbon to clear the water.
- Water Temperature Below 50°F:
Add Aquascape Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria to help keep pond water clean and clear, as well as dramatically reduce spring maintenance by digesting debris that may accumulate over the winter months.
