With winter approaching it’s a timely reminder to start thinking about preparing your ponds or water features. Cold temperatures can affect water quality, and plant/fish health, so here are some reminders to prevent any adverse effects that winter can bring:
- Take out leaves and other debris (i.e. blanket weed) to stop the production of toxic gases. If there is a build-up of leaves on the bottom of the pond, scoop them out with a pond net.
- Trim plants surrounding the pond to limit dead foliage falling in.
- Relocate Water Lilies to the deepest part of the pond.
- Stop feeding fish when water temperature drops to 10 degrees.
- Carry out pump and filter maintenance prior to ice forming.
- If ice forms on the ponds surface, create a hole using a pond heater or de-icer allowing toxic gasses to escape.
- Treatments are minimal during winter for algae growth, however can be beneficial for fish health as fish are susceptible to parasites and illness in the colder months. Popular treatments are API and Aquascape.