How to Take Care of Your Fish Pond During Winter

Fish can survive either indoors or outdoors in the winter. If you are in a place where it is mostly cold throughout the year, make sure that your fish pond has a deeper end, thirty to forty five inches deep, to help protect the fish from the cold.

It is a must that a portion of the fish pond's surface is kept open even if other parts are iced over on top. Toxic gasses build up in very cold water so circulation is needed for the toxins to evaporate and for oxygen to incorporate with the water. Here are some suggestions on how to keep your fish pond a healthy fish environment.

An aerator, a large air stone that is connected to an aquarium air pump, can help keep an opening for the fish pond. Where you place the aerator is very important, you should measure the deepest part of the pond and place it halfway from that area. Constant monitoring is also required. If the aerator is too near to the surface it will most likely freeze. In contrast, putting it in the deepest area of the pond can dramatically lower the pond temperature which will also be harmful to the fishes.

A heater or de-icer is another option to keep your pond warm. This electrical device can create a small hole as an opening for the pond so that the fishes can breathe. Some heaters can even keep the pond warm enough that the pond surface does not freeze even in the harshest of winters.

Water pumps also create holes on the pond surface but it has limitations like that of the aerator. Where you put the water pump is most crucial as it may freeze over or pump in water instead if it is not properly installed. Constant monitoring is also required for this tool.

Placing a cover over the pond also helps keep the fishes warm in combination with other tools that were previously mentioned. It will reduce the electrical requirement of the pump or heater while protecting the pond from extreme cold. The cover must however be lifted up from time to time to let toxins air out and oxygen in. The cover should be sturdy enough to endure throughout long winter season and heavy snow fall.

Feeding fish during winter time is also important. Fish will have slower metabolism rates so they may not eat as they would in the spring or summer. Food made from wheat germ is ideal for easier fish digestion. Giving them just the right amount will make sure that they don't starve during winter.