I live in IL, Zone 5B. Last July, I decided to add a 30 gallon mini-pond to my back yard after dealing with Post Concussion Syndrome for over a year. I desperately needed a relaxing “zen” like place.
After going round and round with myself, I purchased 6 White Cloud fish, various plants and a Pond Boss filter with pump. I forgot to have that birds-and-bees discussion with my 6 fish as the population EXPLODED practically overnight!
As winter approached, I really struggled with what to do with the teeny fish. (Full disclosure…. I own a pet sitting business. I could not fathom doing something that could potentially harm any living creature. This caused many panic attacks and anxiety - due to my concussion).
Someone from this group recommended a lovely gal from Canada who keeps her fish in her ponds all winter long. After a lot of hemming and hawing, I decided to give it a go. I purchased a NuVue pond cover and left the pump running all winter long. I would check on the pond frequently and all looked great until January, when we had that horrible cold snap of negative 17 for a week (without the wind chill). The pond froze - and pouring hot water on the ice did not work. Once the ice had melted, I found some dead fish. Probably 10? I was heartbroken!
At one point, I turned the pump off for about a week, and gave it a good clean. I put them pump back in and turned it on. In the meantime, I decided not to restock the pond as I did not want to go thru this upsetting fish situation again. I would pour water into the pond every couple of days - without letting water sit for 24 hours or adding anything to it. I scooped leaves out of my pond every couple of days and then a week ago, I saw movement. Hmmm. The next day, was scooping leaves and saw movement again. IT WAS A FISH! OMG. One fish survived! I was ecstatic! And the next day - there was MANY FISH. MANY! And babies! WHAT?? I had done everything you are NOT supposed to do over the past few weeks - assuming all the fish had died. But many survived! THEY LIVED! How is that even possible?
Sooooo. For anyone wondering what to do with their fish over winter - in temps that got down to negative 17 for a week - in a 30 gal MINI-POND - you CAN KEEP THEM IN THE POND. All winter! I did it!
Speechless!
After going round and round with myself, I purchased 6 White Cloud fish, various plants and a Pond Boss filter with pump. I forgot to have that birds-and-bees discussion with my 6 fish as the population EXPLODED practically overnight!
As winter approached, I really struggled with what to do with the teeny fish. (Full disclosure…. I own a pet sitting business. I could not fathom doing something that could potentially harm any living creature. This caused many panic attacks and anxiety - due to my concussion).
Someone from this group recommended a lovely gal from Canada who keeps her fish in her ponds all winter long. After a lot of hemming and hawing, I decided to give it a go. I purchased a NuVue pond cover and left the pump running all winter long. I would check on the pond frequently and all looked great until January, when we had that horrible cold snap of negative 17 for a week (without the wind chill). The pond froze - and pouring hot water on the ice did not work. Once the ice had melted, I found some dead fish. Probably 10? I was heartbroken!
At one point, I turned the pump off for about a week, and gave it a good clean. I put them pump back in and turned it on. In the meantime, I decided not to restock the pond as I did not want to go thru this upsetting fish situation again. I would pour water into the pond every couple of days - without letting water sit for 24 hours or adding anything to it. I scooped leaves out of my pond every couple of days and then a week ago, I saw movement. Hmmm. The next day, was scooping leaves and saw movement again. IT WAS A FISH! OMG. One fish survived! I was ecstatic! And the next day - there was MANY FISH. MANY! And babies! WHAT?? I had done everything you are NOT supposed to do over the past few weeks - assuming all the fish had died. But many survived! THEY LIVED! How is that even possible?
Sooooo. For anyone wondering what to do with their fish over winter - in temps that got down to negative 17 for a week - in a 30 gal MINI-POND - you CAN KEEP THEM IN THE POND. All winter! I did it!
Speechless!
