Can I overwinter this pond??
Question:I know it is early, but I am just planning ahead. I have a 90 gallon preformed pond that I bought from walmart, this is my 2nd year with it, but last year we moved, so I had to take it down before the winter, an it wasnt an issue. But this year, I would really like to leave it out all winter, I live in Ohio, and was gonna get a stock tank heater from tractor supply or somewhere, i have some goldfish an a few frogs, I figured I could install the heater, and take out my pump, I know how to over winter my plants an all, just was worried about my fish, the pond is about 18 inches deep, is completely buried in the ground, and is against out privacy fence, so will have a little protection from that, let me know if anyone has tried this an had any luck or has any advice, I really dont want to have to set up an aquarium in the house this year, but if I have to I will,,thanks
Answers:
the standard depth for overwintering is 3 feet, but if you supply a bit of heat with your heater, and keep the pump running, you should be fine. The fish will go down to the bottom where the water is warmer from the earth. The pump needs to run to circulate and aerate the water down to the fish. Make sure you don't let the pond completely ice over, and keep it as clean as possible, because gases will build up under ice if there are decaying leaves, etc. Good luck and happy ponding.
I, too, live in OH. I have 2, and they winter well. I just put both pumps on the bottom and leave them running. Moving water doesn't freeze. Once in a great while the surface will ice over. I just poke a few holes and off we go.
The plants should be removed and the green growth cut off at the pot and disposed of. Put the plants back in.
My $.10 fish are now 9" long, and have been there for 4 years. I cannot see spending money on a heater, and the electricity to run it for $.10 fish.
The frogs are not a problem, since they dig into the surrounding plants. My frogs are 3 years old, and lay zillions of eggs.
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