One of the most important aspects of fall pond maintenance is to clean out as much of the debris, leaves & build-up of muck that has accumulated on the bottom of the pond as you can. If this organic matter is left on the bottom of the pond, it will continue to decay over the winter months, releasing toxins into your pond water. Polluted pond water can be dangerous to pond fish, especially if ice forms on the surface. Ice formations on the pond, prevent an exchange of oxygen in the water for the fish, and the toxins can build up to a level that can cause your fish to die.

Pond Maintenance Tip: One way to help reduce the buildup of dead leaves on the bottom of the pond is by adding cold water bacteria, such as Microbelift Autumn/Winter Prep. Four monthly doses are required so start in September or October and continue to add it to your pond all winter! This bacteria is specially formulated to survive in the cold pond water, while the bacteria that had built up in the pond during the warm weather die off. By adding cold water bacteria to your pond in the Fall and Winter, the pond will acclimate more quickly in the spring, as warm temperatures return and plants come back out of dormancy. This will make your pond maintenance in the spring a little easier and less stressful for the fish.

Another trick to fall pond maintenance is to try to avoid problems that may occur after the weather gets bad. It is very difficult to check on the mechanics of your pond after the ground and the water have frozen.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Clean out your pond’s skimmer or filter so that it is clear of leaves and debris. Clean out the pond’s waterfall box, rotating the pads or replacing them if necessary. Check your pond’s pump to make sure it is not clogged. The pond can be left running as long as the pump is able to get water. If ice forms inside your skimmer box and the pump isn’t getting enough water, turn your pond filtration off.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Make sure you check the pond’s tubing and fittings, disconnecting them if your system requires you to do so for the winter. Check the placement of the rocks around the pond. Look for and adjust any areas that water could run off and out of the pond. Cracked fittings and water runoff are some of the leading causes of pond leaks in the winter.

Pond Maintenance Tip: UV bulbs should be removed. Winter caps should be installed to protect the pond’s UV unit. In the ground pressurized pond filters should be removed and stored inside so they don’t crack.

Water changes are a necessary part of pond maintenance and should be done several times a year. A 30% water change is usually sufficient although up to 50% could be done if the quality of the pond water is bad.

Pond Maintenance Tip: If you want to do a partial water change, do it before the pond water gets too cold. You don’t want there to be more than a five degree difference in the temperature of your pond water and the water that is coming out of your hose. Drastic temperature changes in your pond water can be very stressful for your fish and even cause disease.

Part of your fall pond maintenance routine should include pruning your pond plants. Cut back your hardy marginal pond plants to right above the crown of the plant. You do not need to move your plants, as long as the crown of the plant is submerged below the pond water. Leave hardy water lilies on the bottom of the pond, removing dead leaves and stems.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Tropical pond plants have to be wintered over indoors and not put back into the pond until the water temperature is above 70 degrees.

Don’t forget your fish when thinking of pond maintenance. Ponds overstocked with fish create a stressful situation not only for the fish but for your filtration system as well. Overfeeding fish also creates a pond maintenance nightmare. Poor water quality can become a real problem. You will find yourself cleaning out your filter far too often if you don’t keep your fish population in check.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Begin feeding your fish a fall fish food such as wheatgerm when the pond water drops below 70 degrees. Wheatgerm is easier for your fish to digest and reduces the level of ammonia they produce. (A high level of ammonia in you pond water can be toxic and kill your fish). If you don’t have a floating thermometer or test kit, purchase them through our online store. They really are a necessity.

Once your pond is clean, there is another pond maintenance issue that you have to consider. You need to think about how you will keep it free of ice during the winter. Large ponds with waterfalls may be able to operate all winter because the flow of water is sufficient to keep ice from forming on the top of the pond. Many ponds though, do have to shut down their main filtration system and waterfall. Standing pond water freezes more readily than flowing water.

Pond Maintenance Tip: If you have to shut your system down, consider adding a smaller aeration pump and air stones. When an aerator is used in conjunction with a pond heater, you greatly increase the chances of successfully wintering over your pond fish. Air pumps can be purchased through our online store and are sized according to the number of gallons of water in your pond. FYI: Many air pumps need to be protected from rain and snow- they are not submersible pumps like in your pond. Please read the directions carefully and follow the manufacturers’ recommendations.

After you have the air stones installed in the pond, place a floating pond heater in the same general area. The sole purpose of a pond heater is to keep a hole in the ice and allow for the exchange of oxygen and gases. The pond heater will not heat the entire body of pond water. Pond heaters have an internal thermostat and turn on and off depending on the temperature of the water.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Look for a pond heater that is energy efficient. Some pond heaters, like the one by Laguna, run on as little as 200 watts.

Pond Maintenance Tip: If you do not put in an aerator or a pond heater and ice forms on top of your pond, DO NOT break the ice by smashing it. The vibrations and sound waves caused by doing this could kill your fish. Instead, place a pan of hot water on the ice and try to melt a hole in it. This could take some time, but it is very important not to let the pond freeze solid.

There is one last pond maintenance task that needs to be done in the fall. After you have installed your aerator and pond heater, cover your pond with pond netting. This will keep any falling leaves out of the pond and prevent that buildup of debris on the bottom. The more leaves you keep out now, the easier your spring pond maintenance job will be.

Pond Maintenance Tip: Stretch the net tight and stake it down around the edges with sod staples. If the surface area of your pond is large and the net droops onto the water, try installing PVC pipes across the pond to keep the net raised above the water. When leaves accumulate on the net, it is easier to remove them if they are not wet. Leaves can be blown off with a leaf blower if they are dry.

For more winterizing tips or to purchase pond products please check our online store or stop by Aquatic Connections Water Garden Center located at 428 Philmont Ave. Trevose. Call 1-866-AQUATIC for more info.