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Over Winter Information (Fall, Freezing, Plants, Fish)

Fall

Consider a leaf cover, it is essential to get leaves out if you are over-wintering fish.
Clean up marginal plants as soon as frost knocks them down, the spent foliage must not be allowed to fall into the pond and pollute. You do not want rotting leaves and fish waste to pollute the pond as the fish will not survive
Remove all debris you can with a coarse net, which you should have been doing throughout the year. Ponds which are filthy, and laden with dead leaves are a serious threat to springtime fish because of the organic fuel which the dead leaves and detritus provide to pathogenic bacteria and certain parasites.
Us e a fine net or vacuum to remove any sludge covering the bottom. Since you're in there stirring things up a bit, you should change about 50% of the water.
Freezing

The key to a successful winter for your fish is to keep the pond from freezing solid.
Do not break the ice with a concussive blow.
A surface that is covered with ice for long periods will trap gases and other toxins underneath to the detriment of your fish. Fish over wintering it is imperative we have some open water for gas exchange. This is the most important winter task! This provides an opening for the toxic hydrogen sulfide gases from decomposing fish wastes, organic matter, etc. to escape and an entrance for oxygen to enter.
One way is an to use aerator. The second choice is pond deicer, available in units that will keep a hole in the ice and are controlled by a thermostat
Freezing waterfalls can also divert the water out of the pond and pump the pond dry, and should be discontinued. If the waterfall or other moving water is left running through the winter, the pond will require frequent additions of water as the evaporation rates can be just as high as in summer.
Cattle water trough heaters (caged heaters) are cheap and can keep a patch of ice clear all winter for a small investment in electricity.
Microbe Lift/Autumn Prep is beneficial bacteria that has bacterial strains that work in cold water below 55°F
You can leave submersible pumps in the pond but do not turn it on if the water around the pump is frozen and do not let the pump become dry, doing these runs the risk of damaging the pump. Our Colorado winters often surprise us with 60° days and it is nice to be able to enjoy your feature on those days. It also is beneficial to plant and animal life, and water quality to occasionally have aeration in winter that is provided by water movement.
Drain auto flow valve, if you have one, after winter use. Shut off source then open float valve.
Plants

Cut all of the dying vegetation about an inch or so from the top of the pot.
Submerged plants do not need to be cut back if alive. Most floating plants will rot and die or sink to the bottom to over winter.
All tropical plants should be removed and discarded or over wintered inside with strong light. Move remaining pots deeper into the pond if needed so that the plants' roots will not freeze. If the pond is too shallow or you do not intend to keep an open area in the ice, you can over winter hardy plants inside too.
Most hardy plants can remain in the pond as long as they will not freeze solid. After the leaves have yellowed and been cut off, the pots should be placed so that the roots of the plant will not freeze. Only if the pond will freeze solid (tub ponds) must hardy plants come inside.
Floating plants like water hyacinth and water lettuce can be over wintered indoors or garages, if they have bright natural sunlight or intense artificial light.
Fish

You can either bring the hardy fish (goldfish, Koi, orfe, minnows, mosquito fish, etc.) inside or keep them in the pond. If you bring them in, do it once the temperature goes down to an average of 55 degrees F or less. The fish will go into a sort of hibernation over winter.
If there is an adequate size opening in the ice for air exchange, most of the fish should make it through winter. Weaker, young, old, small, and large fish are most likely to die. Remove their bodies as soon as you see them to prevent pollution of the water. Do not mistake fish resting in a stupor on the bottom for dead fish. Dead fish can be anywhere in the water column and in any position. They often look washed out.
Any tropical fish must be brought in before the pond goes below about 60 degrees F. Tropical fish are easy to take care of inside. The main disadvantage of bringing goldfish and Koi inside is that they need huge tanks and require a lot of time for care while inside. Large fish do not do well when kept in aquariums over winter simply because they do not have enough room, and the water is hard to keep clean and safe without intense filtration.
Fish can survive very well on minimal or no feeding after temperatures drop below fifty-five in the Fall; and until water temperatures are above 50 to 55 degrees in the Spring Feed them about 20% of what you would in the summer and you should be fine.

Pond Engineering
If you are thinking about a new fish pond and have not built it yet make sure your pond is designed to sustain a balanced ecosystem and a depth inwhich fish can "over-winter". Fundamental engineering of a fish pond include; a 3 foot depth somewhere in the pond for fish to "over-winter", a skimmer, and a biofalls.
Water Quality
If you have fish we recomment you read read the Algae section on this site to become aware of solutions to reduce algae.

Fish care and feeding
Koi fish are beautiful but be aware they are sensitive to chemistry imbalance and disease. Fancy Gold Fish are cheaper and great starter fish for beginner pond owners.

From www.worldofwater.com
In established pools, where there is a good balance of plants, wildlife and fish, there will be plenty of natural food and feeding acts as a supplement to their diet, and is enjoyable for the pond keeper. However, in a pool which is heavily stocked or lacks plant life which attracts insects, feeding is vital to the fishes well being. Feeding correctly ensures fish health, growth and ability to breed, and will allow the fish to build up enough reserves for the winter.

There are a number of different foods available, offering different protein levels, health and colour enhancers. Some of these foods are designed for winter feeding with lower protein levels containing wheat germ which is easily digestible, while other foods contain higher protein levels and are only suitable for summer feeding when the fish can easily digest the food.

Care should be taken not to feed summer foods in colder conditions. This can have extreme effects on the fishes health and water quality when the temperature rises.

When to feed your fish– When the water temperature is between 5-8°C in early spring and late autumn, and if the fish appear to be searching for food, you may feed your fish on a “winter food”. In these climates, feeding once a day will be more than sufficient. Once the water temperature reaches 8-10c feeding can be increased to two or three times a day, using a high protein “summer food”.

Water Quality
Usually wall water features by Colorado Water Features are to large to fill with distilled water like desktop features recommend. So the these wall features are treated like a fountains. Every year the feature should be drained and cleaned. For regular water treatment we recommend two produsts:

Fountec utilizes the newest technology for the easier, safer and more effective water treatment of fountains, water gardens, and bird baths. Used weekly, Fountec's organic polymers keep water cleaner, clearer, and algae-free. This EPA registered product uses a unique control mechanism to kill and inhibit algae and bacteria without harsh chemicals. Fountec is non-staining, non-foaming, and safe for birds, plants, and animals but not for fish.

Protec was especially developed to help maintain the beauty and appearance of water fountain, water garden, and bird bath surfaces. Protec's unique formula also contains the advanced technology of "PBTC" phosphonates for superior protection against white mineral deposits and metal stains on fountain surfaces. This product will also help prevent pump damage due to hard water build-up on the pump screen and moving parts. Protec is safe for birds, plants and animals. Protec is environmetally safe, easy-to-use, and provides three months of protection per dose.

 
Landscape Division

A couple folding lawn chairs and picnic table sitting on a cement patio is a look of the past. Now you can enjoy unique and comfortable summer living spaces that are right outside your back door. Colorado Water Features leading the way in affordable and personalized outdoor living spaces.