As winter approaches, your fish prepare for hibernation and your plants have dies back. Final preparations now will ensure a successful over-wintering. Don't forget that you can contact us if you need help or wish a maintenance contract with us.

FEEDING:
As temperatures drop, the metabolism of your fish slows down or even stops and any food left in their digestive system will remain there and could start to literally rot inside them. Feeding fish through the winter can therefore be a tricky adventure. Should you choose to feed your fish, you must be confident that the water temperature will remain suitably warm enough for several days and  use wheatgerm foods; specifically designed to meet the fishes requirements during the winter. Feed fish occasionally, only when they are still active. If the food is not readily taken, remove it to avoid fouling the water. If you are in any doubt it is better not to feed.

SHELTER:
It is often worth adding a black plastic container such as a plant pot or a terracotta pot and lie this on its side on the bottom of the pond. In the coldest weather, the fish will huddle together inside the container and this will help to keep them just a bit warmer by providing shelter from cold water movement created by the pump, as well as protect them from predators such as foxes or herons.

PUMPING & FILTRATION:
Remain pumping and filtering. More information can be found in our new FAQ section.

COLD WEATHER:
If the temperature begins to approach freezing, place a plastic ball (not tennis ball) in the pond to keep an area free of ice so that toxic gases can escape from the water and oxygen can get in. (See the advice on our December page). Some people will tell you to clean, remove and store your pump and filter over the winter period, however it is better to keep the water circulating slowly through the filter and back to the pond as this will help to keep a small area of the pond surface free of ice should the weather become extremely cold, and maintain filtration. In filtered ponds, the pump should be raised off the bottom of the pond to near the surface, once the water temperature drops to about 10^°c. Once the water temperature drops below 4^°c the warmest layer of water is at the bottom of the pond and this is where the fish will lie huddled together.