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...

I need a net to protect my pond from leaves. Which one works the best?

thepondguy.com

A: Colorful fall leaves are beautiful, but once they start falling, they can be a hassle—especially when you have a backyard pond. When they drop into the water, they turn it into leaf tea, add to the nutrient load, and as they break down, build up as muck on the pond bottom. A net is your best op...

I've been trapping leeches with success. Will the rest die this winter or do I need to continue next spring?

thepondguy.com

A: Those little bloodsuckers sure steal the fun, don't they? Hitching a ride with waterfowl, amphibians, small mammals—even your muck boots—leeches love living in mucky debris at the bottom of your pond. They settle in and wait for worms, snails, insect larvae, small water-loving animals and eve...

My water turned brown last year. How do I stop it from happening again?

thepondguy.com

A:  There's only one thing worse than green water—and that's brown water. In some ponds or water features, the end of summer or beginning of fall brings with it this discolored water. It's caused by one of two reasons: Debris Tea: When leaves or pine needles fall into your pond, the tannins in th...

I try to keep my pond clean, but is there anything else I should do to prevent my fish from getting sick?

thepondguy.com

A: Prevention really is the best medicine—and that's true for humans as well as fish. Keeping your pond clean, filtered and well aerated is a great start at preventing disease, but there's more you can do to ensure your finned friends stay happy and healthy. Here's what we prescribe: Vacuum Debris...

Why should I aerate my pond?

thepondguy.com

A: We talk a lot about the importance of aeration – and for good reason. Aeration with the Airmax ® Aeration System , which involves diffusing oxygen into the water below the surface,  benefits the quality of your pond or lake in myriad ways, including these top five reasons: Reduces Pond Muck: ...

I started off with 4 inch koi and now they're 8 inches. How big will they get before they stop growing?

thepondguy.com

A:  In an ideal environment—a supersize space with pristine water conditions at a stable 75 degrees Fahrenheit—an adult koi can reach a whopping 3 feet long. A yard! Nearly a full meter! Yep, that's a really big fish. Don't worry: Chances are slim that your finned pal will grow to that immense ...