Your koi pond is a beautiful addition to your garden. To ensure that your fish survive the cold days ahead, it’s important to winterize your pond. Here are some do’s and don’ts to protect your fish from the elements.

4 Do's and Don'ts for Winterizing Your Koi Pond

1. Don’t Forget to Clear Debris

Fall is a time when your pond will collect leaves and twigs. It can be tedious to pull debris out every day to keep it clean, so you should install a net over the water. The use of a net will keep debris out of the water and protect your pump from clogging, which is important to the health of your fish.

2. Do Switch to a Wheat Germ-Based Food

Your winter preparations must include a dietary change for your fish. As fish get ready for hibernation, their metabolism decreases dramatically. At this point, you’ll want to start feeding wheat germ-based food. Once it is consistently cold outside, you no longer need to feed your fish until springtime.

3. Do Use a Pond De-Icer

If your fish are staying outside over the winter, you need to prevent the pond from freezing over. A de-icer allows oxygen to enter your fish’s home and releases toxic gasses. By aerating the water, the mechanism prevents freezing, keeping your fish healthy.

4. Don’t Leave Fish in a Shallow Pond

You can use a de-icer to protect your fish from winter, but even the best equipment can fail. It might break, or there might be a power outage. To protect your fish, you should only leave them outside if your pond is deeper than 2 ½ feet.

Do you need assistance with winterizing your koi pond? Give the staff at Specialty Water Gardens & Landscapes a call at (573) 819-9025. They specialize in pond maintenance in Columbia, MO, throughout the seasons and can also assist you with selecting the right water feature for your garden. Visit their website to learn more information about their services.