When is a good time to turn off a pond pump?

Question

I listened to someone's advice and turned it off when it reached below 50 degrees and resulted in sludge and decaying mess in the bottom of the pond. 4 out of 5 fish (all less than 4 inches long) are now dead. I think the pond needs to continue circulating throughout the winter months to keep the water clear and clean, but I'm not sure. This is my first winter with this pond, which is approximately 300 gallons. Help!

I live in Texas, so it doesn't freeze a lot here. We have a few days in the 30's here, but ponds don't usually freeze over. The water stays flowing. Do I have to turn my pump off? Or, can I let it run all year?

Answer 1

I have to agree with delo to a point. Your filters can be turned off at the constant 50 degree WATER TEMPERATURE mark, however if you are only have a few days or weeks with the temps below 50 you do not need to turn off the pond.

However, prior to this winterizing, you should clean your pond of nitrate causing leaves. Leaves will rot in the bottom of your pond spiking the nitrate levels thus killing your fish.

Water circulation isn't a factor when the fish go into a hybernation state. Food is a nono if you have constant temps below 50.

You can choose to leave the filters running with no problem. Remember however, do not feed your fish when the water remains at 50. Since their hybernation state has kicked in, these fish will not digest the food there for will rot in their innerds killing them.

If you choose to turn the filter and pumps off be sure the leaves and debris that have blown in from fall are cleared out of the pond. I am assuming the fish are gold fish or koi. Still do not feed them.

When the water temps remain above 50 for more than a week, you can resume feeding.

Pond water isn't like aquarium water and just because it looks clean and clear does not mean it has water quality. Murky water can be more healthy for your fish. It is a matter of cycle. Nitrates/nitrites and ammonia.

I live in the north and cannot leave the filtrations or pumps on in my pond. They are totally shut down for the winter. I have yet to loose a fish due to wintering. Remember, even the leaves will not rot in the pond when the temperatures are low.

You may not have realized, you didn't stop feeding your fish at the proper time. Any foods left in their system will rot when they hit the hybernation state. They do sell winterizing pond food for fish. This food cleans out the fish to prepare for winter. It is also designed NOT to rot inside the fish. Kind of like an enema for pond fish. I used it only the first year for fear my fish would freeze. I haven't used it since, but you have to check the temps of your water.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I have a pond and in the fall I disconnect the pump and clean the pond. I cut back the plants and stop feeding the fish once the water temperture goes below 50 degrees.

Once your pond begins to get a thin layer of ice on it I usually put on my pond heater. It really does not heat the pond it burns the same amount of hydro as a 100 watt bulb. But what it does is it keeps a hole in the ice so that the toxins can escape. The fish will slow down and go into a hybernation state. You will see them swimming slowly beneath the ice. Never break the ice because this will shock the fish and it could kill them.
Once the spring comes and the pond thaws you will see that your fish are swimming very slowly. Start to feed them fish flakes until they get their strenghth back. You will then need to do a partial water change and start up your filter. Their are chemicals you can put in your pond to start it up in the spring that are good for the fish. I personally just use pond salt and a peat bag. Once the fish are back swimming around and have adjusted you can then do a good cleaning. My fish have lasted many winters by doing this. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Pond Pumps In Winter

Answer 4

If your pump is rated to run 24/7 you can leave it running. To save electricity you could get a simple timer and set it to run for 30 mins 2 or 3 times at night and run all day. Or you could have it coming on/off at various times thru day & night. This should keep water oxygenated enough

Answer 5

If your pond is not more then 4 feet deep and you leave your fish in it all year round, you need to leave the filter/pump running all year round. Hope that helps.