Winter is hard on a pond that is not prepared, and easy on one that is. A proper fall shutdown protects your fish, keeps your plumbing from cracking, and saves you hours of cleanup in spring. Here is the checklist we run before the first hard frost.
Time it before the first hard frost
In Chester County that usually means late October into November. You want the pond ready before a deep freeze, not scrambling after one.
The checklist
- Net the pond. Getting leaves out now saves hours of removal later and stops them from rotting on the bottom all winter.
- Cut back and remove dying plants. Decaying plant matter feeds algae and fouls the water over winter.
- Clean filters and clear debris. Start the cold months with a clean system, not a dirty one.
- Shut the system down correctly for your setup. Some ponds run all winter with a de-icer and aerator; others get fully shut down and the lines blown out. The right call depends on your pond and your fish.
- Protect the fish. Your koi and goldfish settle to the bottom and essentially hibernate. They need stable, oxygenated water and an opening in the ice so gases can escape. We make sure that is in place.
What happens if you skip it
The two most common winter problems we get called about are cracked plumbing from water left in the lines, and fish loss from a pond that iced over completely with no gas exchange. Both are avoidable with a proper shutdown.
Want it done right before the cold sets in? Get on the schedule and we will winterize your pond.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your water feature and we will put together a quote. No pressure, just a straight answer on what it needs.