It's all about timing, right?

[JBtheExplorer]

As some of you might know, this is the first Winter that all of my goldfish stayed in my pond. I've already seen six or seven of them, including all the bigger ones, with the recent thawing we had, so I'm glad to see they survived their first winter outside.

With that being said, this is also my first early Spring with my fish in the pond, so one thing I've been questioning is when to start up the pump again. I know that it's important to get the pond water filtered and flowing to help prevent against health issues, but I'm not sure when I should be doing that. I don't want to start my pump too early, but I don't want to start it too late either, so I'd like to hear what you all have to say. Do you wait for certain air temps or water temps before you get the water flowing again? If the temps drop weeks later, do you stop the pump or keep it going?

 

[addy1]

Once we bounce into the 50's and bounce back a few times without horrendous, downswing of temps I plug my stuff in. We are hitting the 30's at night. I am getting ready to do it soon, I got all the equipment out, just need 20 minutes or so of time. Been too busy with the yard and bees to do the big pump. I do have a small pump running across the surface of the bog, 1000 gph. Even if we downswing I leave it running, external pump, the only issue would be if we headed to the teens and stayed there and the electricity goes out.

I usually get it running around the first part of march. Last year not until April, had way to much snow on the ground and way to cold.

 

[barryian]

Hi JB - I'm on Long Island. High about 40F today and next week 50's & 60's and low last night in the 29's but but we're out of the woods for long freezes. My water has never been below 45F all winter due to 1000 watt deicer as water flowed past it through my skimmer and we've had some cold days and snows but never the less, a mild winter.

I started my AlphaOne bead filter yesterday and air temps were in the high 30's. I feel that since my water has been a steady 50F now for weeks and the deicer is removed, it'll take a while for the beneficial bacteria to build. The beneficial bacteria at 45F never died off completely and since the pond is established, this should be a more speedy process than a new pond.

I say go for it now, adjust your chemistry as needed if needed, do a partial water change and check the ammonia, ph, kh and nitrates at least. If you don't mind using a bit more electric, it won't hurt. There are many in the forum, some might disagree. Been starting up this time for 24 years, no problem, water is like drinking water since my skimmer was going all winter. Fish look amazing and swimming around as if it's Spring.

Beware, over the next 2 months, especially April - June is the time to watch the fish for signs of bacterial infections, etc, do to the the rising water temps and rise in aeromonas. Good water conditions, etc and the problem shouldn't arise.

btw - I have 2 UV's .... Kind of early for them as water is still cool. I turn one on early where the water moves slow and it can act as a germicidal. I also do a KMnO4 treatment which is very controversial amongst people up but that's another story in itself.
Good luck !!!

 

[peter hillman]

Hmm, mine never stops. But the waterfall does get diverted in winter.

 

[MitchM]

By using the pond breather all winter, you are ahead of the game because your water quality is high.
I keep the breathers running until I see the fish at normal activity levels, then I turn on the pumps.
I don't think there's any rush and tinkering with chemical levels as the pond is coming out of winter could be bad for the fish.
Suddenly changing the water chemistry can compromise the fish's mucous covering, leaving the fish exposed to infections.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I don't think there's any rush and tinkering with chemical levels as the pond is coming out of winter could be bad for the fish.
Suddenly changing the water chemistry can compromise the fish's mucous covering, leaving the fish exposed to infections.

Excellent advice!! Nature has its own timetable for doing things in the Spring. It does things once...and it does things right! AND it will not be rushed. Follow Nature's lead completely and never look back.

 

[DrCase]

The sooner you can get the filter started up the better

 

[Faebinder]

Fortunately mine was never shut down over the winter and I'm in Pennsylvania. Tomorrow I start feeding the fish.

 

[barryian]

Hmm, mine never stops. But the waterfall does get diverted in winter.

Fortunately, it never ices, actually once that I can remember but no diversion! No water loss!
Fed them yesterday, Manda Fu .... Soak it a minute or 2 and it's like cotton, easily digestible with 0 protein! Nice anytime of year as they'll grab them right out of your hand ...

 

[barryian]

By using the pond breather all winter, you are ahead of the game because your water quality is high.
I keep the breathers running until I see the fish at normal activity levels, then I turn on the pumps.
I don't think there's any rush and tinkering with chemical levels as the pond is coming out of winter could be bad for the fish.
Suddenly changing the water chemistry can compromise the fish's mucous covering, leaving the fish exposed to infections.

I said that but coming out of Winter, my chemistry is perfect. Most should be. KH was high as I left it but never hurts to check the water chemistry. He had a new pond and chemistry should be a concern. Adjusting KH for me would be a priority but I maintain it high and it's never a problem.

 

[barryian]

The sooner you can get the filter started up the better

Absolutely !!!

 

[mrsclem]

I always start mine up as soon as all the ice is gone. As of last week, all pumps and filters running and hope to have bog ready by later this week.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Thank you all for the advice! Very helpful! Saw the fish swimming today, though slow, so I'll give it a little time before I turn the pump on.

 

[CometKeith]

Hi JB. Either I keep my pump working all winter or I turn it on in March. Since my ice is just starting to melt I'll probably get mine going this week.The advantage of getting the water moving is you eliminate the anaerobic (bad) bacteria that come from dissolved organic materials. These are bad for your fish and cause disease. By moving the water you are introducing dissolved oxygen which will kill the anaerobic bacteria.

 

[cas]

I started my pump yesterday. I usually wait until the pond water is at 45 degrees before I start the pump. The fish usually are moving around by this time.

This was the first winter that I used the pond breather along with an aerator. I couldn't believe how much clearer my water was this spring. I could see all the way down to the bottom - 34". Other years it would be cloudy at the very bottom - maybe I could only clearly see 28" down. That extra deep water circulation by the pond breather really helped! Lot's of loose algae along the sides and bottom, but once the pump was running a few hours, the skimmer began clearing that up.

Can't wait to go sit out by the pond today!!