How can you tell if your pond is safe to walk on?

thepondguy.com

A: Ice is fun—but it can be dangerous business. Winter brings cold weather and snow to your pond or lake, as well as a perfect layer of ice for skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and more. You may want to get out there and play, but it's important to know whether your ice is safe and strong or a p...

How can I keep my dock from getting destroyed by ice?

thepondguy.com

A: Ice can certainly do some damage to a dock. As water freezes, it expands. As it melts, it contracts. And all that freezing and melting business can wreak havoc on the wood and materials used to make the mooring. So what can you do to protect your investment? If you have a floating or removable do...

We've been keeping our fish indoors for the winter and have filtration. Do we need to use any chemicals?

thepondguy.com

A: No doubt your finned friends are enjoying the cozy indoors during the chilly winter season. With your tank's filtration system turned on, you're mechanically cleaning the fishes' aquatic abode – which is a great first step – but there are a few more things you can do to make their stay inside...

How are algae able to grow in the winter when everything else is dormant?

thepondguy.com

A: Algae can be tough little buggers. An estimated 72,500 algal species exist worldwide, and some of them can thrive in inhospitable conditions, including areas with ice and snow. With a handful of nutrients and a little bit of light, they're able to grow – even in the 39 degree water under the ic...

What can I do to prevent string algae from growing in the winter?

thepondguy.com

A: Even in the cold of winter, string algae can grow in your water garden. All that green nuisance needs to thrive is the right amount of nutrients and sunlight. So what can you do to prevent it? You have three options in your pond management toolbox: Seasonal Defense ® , barley straw extract, and ...

Do pond weeds stop growing during the winter months?

thepondguy.com

A: Unfortunately, it's tough to give you a definitive answer. The growth pattern of aquatic weeds and algae really depend on where a particular pond or lake is located. Weed growth in a Florida pond, for instance, will be different from weed growth in a Minnesota pond! In general, however, you can e...

What do you really mean when you say fish are

thepondguy.com

A: When the days shorten and temperatures drop, koi and other pond fish enter into what's called torpor, or a period of decreased physiological activity that allows them to save energy. They don't sleep the winter away, but they do essentially hibernate—their metabolism slows, they require less fo...

I know my fish will go to the bottom of the pond for the winter, but do I need to do anything for turtles?

thepondguy.com

A: Turtles are smart critters. Unless your terrapins are terrarium-dwellers that aren't accustomed to the great outdoors, they instinctively know what to do to prepare for winter. They take their cues from Mother Nature—so you can simply let them do their thing! Read on to learn more. Winter Home-...

What items need to come out of my pond before winter?

thepondguy.com

A: You probably spent a pretty penny on your pond equipment, and so there's no doubt you want to make that gear last as many seasons as possible. Certain components will survive longer if you remove them from your pond during the winter, including: All-In-One Filtration Units: Submersible mechanical...

Are other fish like my plecostomus as hardy over the winter as my koi?

thepondguy.com

A: We talk about how koi and certain types of goldfish, like Sarassa and Shubunkins, can overwinter in your pond or water garden even when water temperatures dip to near-freezing levels. But what about other common pond fishes? Well, it depends on your USDA hardiness zone, which divides the country....

If I'm going to shut my aerator down for the winter, when should I do it?

thepondguy.com

A: Ice skating, hockey, curling, broomball, ice fishing—part of the joy of having your own pond or lake is all the wintertime sports that can be played on the ice. These frosty, fun activities are the main reason why folks shut down their aerator for the winter, as keeping one running will create ...

Should I treat my pond weeds now, or will they die on their own now that it's getting colder?

thepondguy.com

A: Regular maintenance will extend the life of your compressor, but an air compressor can lose its pumping power for a number of reasons. To help deduce what the problem could be, start with a quick evaluation: This time of year, many aquatic plants—including weeds—seem to be no longer actively ...

I don't have a pond, so I have no fish or filter to worry about. Can I still run my water feature?

thepondguy.com

A: Though we generally recommend folks shut down their pondless features in the winter, you can absolutely run it year-round—as long as you're prepared to add a few winter chores to your to-do list. Keep It Running Because they don't have filtration systems to fuss with or fish to care for, pondle...

How large of a hole will an aeration system keep open in the ice? I like to keep open water for ducks.

thepondguy.com

A: No doubt those ducks will appreciate some open water in the winter, and an aerator is the best way to keep that hole open for them. Many factors will affect the hole's size and how long it will remain open, but here are three important points to consider: Size of the System: Larger aeration syste...

Now that my plants are gone, how do I protect my fish?

thepondguy.com

A: This time of year, aquatic plants are tough to find in backyard ponds. Cold temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight make all the lush greenery die off or go dormant for the winter -- and that leaves your fish high and dry and without any protection from hungry predators, like raccoons, herons an...

We've decided to shut down the pond this winter. Do we just need to take out the pump and filter?

thepondguy.com

A: Oh, if it were only that easy. Even though you plan to shut down the pond for the season, you still need to complete some winterizing chores. Put on your Aqua Gloves and hip waders. Here is your step-by-step guide for closing down shop and storing pond equipment for the winter. Step 1: Prepare fo...

How do I overwinter my tropical lilies?

thepondguy.com

A: Vivid and fragrant, tropical water lilies are the floating jewels of a pond. If you live in Hardiness Zone 9 or lower, you'll need to take extra special care of these warm-weather-loving beauties over the cold season. To overwinter tropical water lilies, you have two choices: send them into dorma...

I still have PondClear natural bacteria. Am I better off throwing the rest in, or will it still be good for next season?

thepondguy.com

A: At the end of pond season, just about everyone has some leftover supplies. Half-full canisters of natural bacteria, bottles of dye, algaecides and more—what do you do with all of it? Do they have expiration dates? And how do I keep them until next year? Here's what you need to know about the sh...

I heard fish can get swim bladder disease this time of year, what is it?

thepondguy.com

A:  Many bony fish, like the fancy goldfish found in ornamental ponds, have an organ called a swim bladder. This gas-filled sack has two main purposes: It helps the fish control its buoyancy and remain at a particular depth without having to waste energy on swimming, and it keeps the fish in an upr...

I have a lot of cattail growth. Should I spray it now or just wait until spring?

thepondguy.com

A: As long as those cattails are green and growing, you should spray them. Fall is actually an ideal time to treat pesky pond weeds because that's when the matured plants soak up nutrients through their leaves to prepare for the coming winter. They'll do the same thing with the herbicide—but it wi...