Intro

[donb]

Hi, I am from southern NH and just recently bought a house that has a Koi pond. I have no experience maintaining it so I am here to learn.
The pond has 2 sections one feeds into another by a water fall. The upper level is maybe 5' accross and maybe 4' plus deep. The lower level is about the same diameter but see much shallower.
I am looking forward to information on how to service it. At this time close it down for the winter seems to be the thing to do.
Talk soon.
donb

 

[addy1]

To our group

We will all love to help you out with your new pond!

 

[donb]

Thanks for the welcome.
I have read some of the NEWB items on winterizing the pond. there does seem to be different ideas on this topic. So how do I know what is right for my climate.
This has a pump that is in a compartment under grade level.
Should it be shut down, removed, serviced for the winter?
There is also a Laguna filter w/ UV light system. Should this be removed? It is set down into the ground with the top of the filter exposed.
I was thinking of removing the top end and puming out the container for the winter.
So many quetions and I don't want to damage the equipment or compromise the fish environment.
Some say leave the water fall run 24/7 others say shut it down??????
It is getting cold an icy here in NH.
Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[addy1]

Down here I shut off my pump, it is external, put it in the house for the winter. Turn on my aerator with its diffuser to keep a hole in the ice, if we get a cold winter. So far I have had just minor icing.

I would worry about your waterfall, if it makes a ice dam it could drain your pond. Also it does tend to cool the pond water.

Your uv is not doing much in the winter, I would shut it off, but then again I don't use a uv. Others will chime in to help you out.
I don't think you would need to remove the filter, but you might want to drain it so it won't freeze up and crack. (I don't use one, so sort of a guess based on what I have read)

 

[sissy]

Welcome and guessing you will have to learn real fast .I know even here come the end of december i drain my filters and that is so they don't freeze up and crack like addy said .Your pump will freeze up if left out so guessing the other owner must have removed it also .

 

[mtpond]

Welcome. I take my uv light out and store it in my basement for the winter.

 

[mtpond]

Do you have any pictures of your pond that you can post?

 

[j.w]

donb
Mine runs all winter but then I live in an area where we don't get the real freezing temps like you easterners do.

 

[Fishylove]

Welcome donb :wave:

Southern mid-west here Our temps are running 27* in the morning and 52-57* afternoon temps. Not quite time to turn the pumps off yet, but getting close. Fish are still somewhat active in the afternoon, really don't see them till then. I have a submersible in my small pond, when I shut that down I'll pull it pup clean the filter material good and store it dry in the garage. Then put the pump back in the bottom of the pond for the winter. Usually submersible pumps should stay submersed even if you pull it out to store it, so it's just easier to leave it.

The bigger pond has an up flow above ground filter, that I will likewise drain and clean well, and store dry in the garage. Any tubing will go to the bottom of the pond and will unhook and drain the pipes to the waterfall. I do not use aerators, as we normally do not freeze for weeks at a time, a week of frozen pond I'll not worry too much, but anything over that I'll break out the pond heater and get a hole open. Word is, we're in for a unseasonably colder winter this year, so I might just throw the heater in the large pond, just incase it's needed. The small pond is up against a southwest corner of the house and has never frozen over solid, protected by the house and trees I suppose. Anyway, most of us close our ponds for the winter, minus a few in warmer climates,
as the good bacteria in your bio filter will not survive in freezing temps, and will have to regenerate in the spring.
Mainly just be sure to clean your filter material well and store it, and do not let anything above freezing level, sit with water in them, including pipes and tubing, and your fish should be fine 5 ft deep is a good depth for koi and goldfish do fine in shallower water. Good luck! And welcome!

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forums! :wave: