Winter Protection of the Pond

You should start thinking about weather protection of your pond in autumn and preparation for proper start in spring. To prevent the reservoir from falling leaves and supplying of additional nutritional substances, close-mesh net should be applied. Additionally it’s recommended to install skimmer removing dirt from pond surface.

In case the plants are growing on pond sides it is really important to remember to cut high plants before winter as high plants covered with heavy snow may fall into the pond. Rushes and reeds can only be removed in spring because these plants play important role in gas circulation in frozen reservoir.

Step 1 – reduction of bottom sludge.

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Autumn is a good time for removing bottom sludge arising from putrefactive processes of leaves, remains of food, fish’s excrements. Mechanical slime removal isn’t efficient in a longer period of time, it also, through swirls, upsets slime layers and releases harmful ammonia. Thus it is recommended to use such product which will quickly and effectively decompose the sludge -i.e.TeichschlammEntferner of Söll – see more in “Biological slime removal”

STEP 2 – ABSORPTION OF PHOSPHATES – protection against spring algae growth.

The volume of phosphates increases during winter months which is caused by falling leaves, decomposition of food and other organic substances. As phosphates are main source of algae nourishment. This may cause mass reproduction of algae and further to green water or appearance of filamentous algae. The best way of fighting with algae is prevention. Unfortunately the only way of phosphates removal is absorption. It is recommended to use the strongest phosphate bonding product in the world PhosLock AlgenStopp® of Söll – starting from October and use on regular basis every 6 weeks.

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STEP 3 – STABILIZATION OF WATER PARAMETERS

During rainy and snowy season a lot of soft water gets into the pond. This causes dilution of pond water, thereby decreases of carbohydrate hardness. If water is insufficiently stabilized, in spring, algae may bloom and this will lead to sudden and serious increase of pH. Too high value of pH has very negative influence on fish’s health and whole ecosystem. To prevent this unpleasant situation it is necessary to apply proper product in autumn which will stabilize pond water in winter and additionally protect from negative influence of low temperatures – e.g. TeichFit®of Söll. This product improves quality of water, neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals; immediately assures stable and proper pH, increases carbonate hardness, creates optimal conditions for all occupants of the pond. You can use TeichFit® repeatedly during the year, obligatory when pH falls below 5°dH.

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4 – AERATION OF THE RESERVOIR

In case the depth of water in the pond exceeds 1 meter, water naturally creates layers. This is to prevent the whole water in reservoir from freezing and allow fishes to winter in bottom but water under ice must be properly aerated. The most common way of aeration is knocking out the hole in iced surface using axe or pick. We would not recommend doing this because the shock wave which may arise can cause death of all creatures (fishes, frogs). Besides sudden change of water pressure has very negative effect on respiratory system. It is not recommended to use passive antifreeze agents because all heat which is accumulated in reservoir will be lost and water temperature falls unnaturally quickly. Tablets SauerstoffDepot of Söll are strongly recommended as these are easy to use, have long-lasting effect up to 6 weeks. It is really important to use same on regular basis starting in October up to spring months.

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