Water Garden Questions And Answers. What Do I Do When Winter Comes???

Q : What do I do in the winter months ?

A : Much depends on if you have fish or not and if you have a waterfall or
other instance where water is pumped out of the pond and returned.
The severity of your winter is also a major consideration If you keep fish then
your pond should be at least 36" deep and it will be necessary to keep a hole
open in the ice throughout the winter by means of a floating pond heater or other
devise that deters ice formation. This allows toxic gasses to escape. Although they
will eat out of habit; fish will go into dormancy during winter and will not
require food soon as the water temperature drops to 50F or lower ...

DO NOT FEED IN COLD WEATHER MONTHS; YOUR FISH DO NOT HAVE
THE ABILITY TO DIGEST...

If you have a waterfall and you get winters in-which natural water sources freeze
then the system will have to be converted to one that circulates the water with-
in the pond only. This can be done a couple different ways. If you use a submersible
in-the-pond style pump & filter to supply the waterfall then install a diverter in
the tubing just after it leaves the pump going to the falls. In late autumn simply
turn the knob and the water is diverted upwards to create a gushing bubbler
effect. . If you have a skimmer with a large waterfall pump then a second
winterizing pump with filter will be necessary. This same system can be used
during the summer months to feed spitting statuary or other water features.
The pump inside the skimmer-box should be removed for winter so as to avoid
cracking the housing or corrosion. As for plants ; We recommend that
marginal or bog plants be built into the rockery on the top shelf. Aquatic plants
in pots can be moved down to a deep shelf. Most of the floating plants available
are not winter hardy and must be replaced annually.

For more information on these and other water garden topics go to our
'tips & tricks' page. Or contact Us.

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