Bio Filter shut off?

[richyd]

I keep reading that people will be shutting down their pumps during the winter months. Does the same apply to the bio filter? Wont the nitrates and other stuff creep up? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm preparing for our first winter with our pond. I have a swim skimmer with a built in aerator , this will hopefully prevent my pond from completely icing . However, if I left my pump running my waterfall creates a lot of movement in the pond, so I can't see it icing anyways.

 

[Waterbug]

Three things to consider:

1. The bacteria that converts ammonia and nitrite slows down as temps fall and stops at 39F No ammonia conversion = no nitirte.

2. Fish create less ammonia as temps fall.

3. Toxic free ammonia converts to much less toxic ionized ammonia as temps fall.

 

[richyd]

Three things to consider:

1. The bacteria that converts ammonia and nitrite slows down as temps fall and stops at 39F No ammonia conversion = no nitirte.

2. Fish create less ammonia as temps fall.

3. Toxic free ammonia converts to much less toxic ionized ammonia as temps fall.

Thanks for the links.