First winter letting waterfall/skimmer run all winter. What do I need to know?

[Jared]

I have an external pump, a Helix skimmer and a modest stream/waterfall about 30" across.
External pump is 4800 gallons, pond volume about the same.
No fish right now.

I'm going to watch daily for ice dams at the stream/waterfall.

What do I need to worry about?
heater? Aerator?

Thanks gang!

~Jared

 

[poconojoe]

If you don't have any fish, no need for aerator or heater. In fact, why run your pump? Remove the pump and bring it inside for protection from freezing.

 

[Tula]

Without fish, there isn't much to worry about other than pipes freezing, ice dams forming and directing water from the pond. You would not need an aerator or heater.

 

[poconojoe]

In fact you will extend the life of your pump by not using it for 4 months.
I'm not sure about external pumps, but submersible ones are best stored in a bucket of water to keep all the rubber parts from drying out.

 

[addy1]

I'm not sure about external pumps,

I use external pumps, I just unplug them, detach from lines, dump out any water and stick in our outside shed. I used to bring them in until I saw all the spider winter nests built on them. Now they stay outside lol. In the spring I take silicone and rub the o rings, attach plug in and they fire up.

I have two small submersible pumps for my hot tub pond and for my deck pond, I just unplug and leave them in the pond.
Have one small submersible I use in the winter for my big pond. I put it in a bucket to keep a bit of water flowing for the birds, the output just hitting the pond water surface. I store that one dry in our shed all summer, it fires up every winter without issue.

 

[Jared]

If I were to just shut down the pump for the winter, would I have to drain my water lines? I have 3" flexible PVC buried. Running all winter seems kinda nice. It looks good from our kitchen window

 

[Tula]

Know some people blow their lines out, but I've never done that. Two of my pumps have unions that I disconnect and they just draw. The waterfall pump I just turn off , it''s buried, but to very deep and has never frozen. I do turn off my waterfall well before frigid temps.

I think waterfalls running in the winter are gorgeous !