Extreme cold Weather
Frozen ponds are dangerous and especially so for children
please, please keep a watchful eye on your kids when they are playing in your snowy garden or anywhere else with a pond.
Never stand on iced over ponds
helping your pond get through the winter
During the current weather conditions it is important to keep at least a small area of your pond ice free as if not the ice will form a barrier between the water and the air above it and as such the fish, who are using up the oxygen 24/7, could deplete the dissolved oxygen content to a level below that required to keep them alive.
De-icing a pond
Take care when working around a pond and it is wise to do so when help is available in case you do fall in.
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Although it is a benefit to gentle remove some ice Do not break the ice with force (i.e. with a hammer) as the shock wave could kill the fish. You can consider using boiling water or a broom hanle as an aid.
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Be careful of floating sheets of broken ice as they may cut into the liner or your hands. Ice will stick to the sides of the pond and is best not pulled away in case you rip the liner.
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Do not use electrical items such as household heaters near a pond.
Keeping the pond from freezing
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Plastic Pipework and equipment such as UV units are highly likely to burst if the water in them is not moving. Either have the pump running or remove the equipment until the weather improves.
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Leave at least one pump running as flowing water does not freeze as easily. If a pump is turned off make sure the the entire system is de-iced before turning it back on. You could disconnect the pump from its Pipework and just have it running in a manor that solely disturbs they surface.
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Waterfalls and fountains help to chill the pond as the water has greater contact with the cold air. If possible divert the flow so that it goes directly back to the pond rather than down a waterfall. The waterfall should then be emptied and covered to avoid damage from ice formed in the frozen chambers.
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Raise your pump well off the bottom of the pond (so as not to remove the warmer water from the lower levels).
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If your system makes it difficult to keep the main pump running consider purchasing a spare pump that can be used to keep the pond ice free and this will one day replace the main pump as they always pack up at the most inconvenient time.
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Pond heaters are available that either fit into the Pipework and heat the entire pond or float in the pond and just keep a small area ice free. Caution; sudden changes in water temperature will shock and probably kill your fish (especially going from warm to cold).
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Solar pond covers are available and can be used with or without heaters.
The advice which is freely given within this site is generalised and as such you must be aware that all ponds are different, and that it is your own responsibility to ensure that all work is carried out correctly, safely and in accordance with any local laws that may be relevant. Pond Creations will accept no responsibility for any actions taken as a result of the information within this site. We strongly advise that if you are in any doubts regarding the building of your pond that you should consult a fully qualified person in the area involved.
