Winter Shut-down
If you decide to shut your pond down for the winter, the process can go fairly smoothly. After performing your fall maintenance (making sure all the leaves are out of the pond and the plants have been tended to), you can get started by removing the pump.
It should be stored for the winter in a frost-free location, submerged in a bucket of water. The water around the pump housing will prevent the seals on the pump from drying and cracking. Since most submersible pumps are oil-filled, it is not suggested to let them freeze solid. To extend the life of the pump, it is a good idea to clear the impeller shaft free of any debris before winter storage.
Many people choose to shut down their pond for the winter because they don't want to worry about ice dams or pay for the cost to run a larger pump. If you chose to shut down your waterfall for the winter, you'll need to replicate the effects of the waterfall by keeping the water oxygenated. A pump that circulates at least 150 gallons per hour can be placed in your pond below, but close to, the water's surface. By allowing it to bubble about one inch above the surface, the agitation will keep a hole in the ice and oxygenate the water until the air temperature drops below 10° F.
If the air temperature stays below 10° F for extended periods, you'll need to add a floating heater or de-icer in order to keep a hole open in the ice. Most heaters are equipped with a thermostat that, when set at the proper temperature, switches the heater on only when needed. A floating heater alone, however, will not oxygenate the water, so it should be used in conjunction with a pump.
When preparing the pond for winter, remove the filtration media and rinse it down. It is recommended to store any such media in a frost-free location like a garage or shed. If left over the winter, all of the filtration media may freeze into a solid block, causing unnecessary delays during the spring clean-out.
See? Overall, it's a pretty easy task, but don't forget to pay special attention to your fish when shutting your pond down!
Courtesy of Pond Lifestyles - an Aquascape Designs Website |
