Download fall/winter pond maintenance tips

FALL/WINTER POND MAINTENANCE TIPS
1. Before winter arrives, you will want to make sure your pond and filtering system are clean to
ensure good water quality throughout the winter months. With the arrival of fall it is wise to do a
partial water change to remove any built up contaminants to improve water quality. Partial water
changes need to be made before water temperatures fall below 60 degrees to minimize fish
stress. Adding pond salt at this time will improve the slime coating of fish, to help them ward off
disease and parasites.
2.
Before the leaves begin to fall, cover your pond with one of our pond nets. The goal is
to try and keep the pond as clean as possible for the winter months. Leaves will sink to the bottom
of the pond and rot, causing excess carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. After the first frost, take
out any floating plants, as these will begin to decay. Trim back hardy lilies and bog plants and
place below the freeze line.
3.
Switch to Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter Prep. This will help break down organic
material in the pond before winter sets in. Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter Prep helps accelerate the
decomposition of leaves, scum, sediment and other organic matter during the fall and throughout
the winter months. Also, Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter Prep helps to maintain a healthy immune
system for your fish during the winter months. Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter Prep will help jumpstart your pond to a healthier environment in the spring.
4. Reduce your fish feeding as the water temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Start feeding your
fish a couple of times a week. We recommend switching to a wheat germ based fish food
formulated for fall and spring feeding. When water temperatures drop below 60 degrees, the
metabolism of your fish slow down. Both Tetra-Pond Spring/Fall and Microbe-Lift Cold
Weather fish food are highly digestible cool weather diets that are made with less protein, but
contain wheat germ, which is easily digested. They also contain higher levels of fat, which help
your fish survive their winter hibernation. When water temperatures reach 50 degrees, stop
feeding your fish completely. Feeding at water temperatures below 50 degrees can possibly kill
your fish. A pond thermometer is a must have.
5. Adding Microbe-Lift Barley Straw Extract will help control string algae throughout the fall and
winter months. Barley Straw Extract is an effective and eco-friendly way to reduce algae. Unlike
algaecides, which are ineffective in water temperatures below 50 degrees, Microbe-Lift Barley
Straw Extract will continue to control algae throughout the winter months.
6. Before freezing temperatures begin, install a pond de-icer. Ponds covered with ice do not allow
toxic gases to escape causing fish loss. A pond de-icer will keep a section of your pond open to
allow oxygen and gas exchange.
7. During the winter removing snow from the surface of the pond will help submerged plants and
microscopic aquatic plants to continue to produce oxygen as long as light penetrates through the
ice. Insufficient light, along with the decomposition of plant and leaf debris may result in
insufficient oxygen for the fish, causing them to suffocate. Removing the snow from a portion of
your surface area will reduce the likelihood of this occurring.
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