Winter is here and it’s time to start thinking about preparing your pond for the winter months. This is especially true for those of us living in the cold northern climates who deal with freezing temperatures and ponds that freeze over.

5 Tips for Proper Winter Pond Care

• If you are using Macro-Zyme™ to help control sludge and foul odors in your pond, you should stop applying it once the water temperatures dip below 55° F. Macro-Zyme™ is made of various types of bacteria, and bacteria do not thrive in cold temperatures!
  
  
• Remove dead aquatic plants, algae, leaves, and other debris from around the edge of the pond and on the water’s surface, if feasible. If not removed, this plant matter will sink to the bottom, adding to the existing layer of decomposing organic material.

• If you do live in an area where your pond is likely to freeze over, all decorative fountains, surface aerators, and other similar equipment that sprays water into the air should be removed from the pond prior to the first freeze and placed in storage for the winter. If not removed, these units will likely become frozen into the ice that builds up on the pond and can be damaged. Removing your unit for the winter also provides a good opportunity to clean any algae and debris off the unit, check the zinc anode for corrosion and replace it if necessary, and give the unit a check over to make sure it is in good working order.
  
  
• For those of us who live in areas that don’t get hard freezes, you have the option of leaving your unit in the water through the winter. However, it is still highly recommended that you perform the regular maintenance, including removing algae and plants and checking the zinc anode.
  
  
• Submerged units like circulators, Robust-Aire™, and de-icers (of course!) can be left in the pond through the winter and will help to keep an ice-free area open in your pond. This can be especially beneficial for the fish in your pond, as well as the ponds overall health.

With just a little preparation now, you can enjoy your pond through the winter and get a jump start on ensuring a healthy pond next spring. For more information, contact us at kenny@absoluteaquatics.com or 715-262-4488.