Winter Season

[blueFrame101]

Hello, I live in Canada and everyone knows how cold it can be here during the winter. I was wondering if I need to bring my koi inside because it can read up to -30 degrees celcius in Canada here. Also, my pond is only about 4 feet deep and I don't think it will be enough. Also, if I have to bring the koi inside, what time would be appropriate to bring them in (before they go into hibernation mode).

Thanks.

 

[arkay]

In New York - zone 7 - if your pond is deeper than 2 feet, fish are o.k. Find out what the "freeze line" is where you are. Also, you can just turn off any pumps - so you don't circulate cold water to the bottom - & be sure to keep a hole clear when the pond freezes. There has to be some circulation of air or the fish can suffocate. The only rule I know about temperatures is to stop feeding fish when water goes below 56 F or so - their metabolism slows & they can explode from undigested food.

 

[blueFrame101]

Okay thanks for the advice. I think the freezing line in Canada's around 4 meters, which is why fence posts have to be dug deeper in the ground than 4 meters. Also, if I turn off my filter, would it be a good idea to have an air stone, or two, in there? Or would that circulate the warmer water near the bottom and cold water on the top too much?

 

[arkay]

Mine is a very small pond with 3 fish & I take out aerating plants in winter since they'd rot. I don't use an air stone or any aeration in the cold weather & I turn off the waterfall. The fish supposedly stay mainly towards the bottom where the water is significantly warmer. As I said, their metabolism slows - although they do eat algae, etc. & often grow & gain weight over the months between Halloween & Easter even though I don't feed them. (Depressing thought for people on diets, eh?) Helen Nash in "The Pond Doctor" says that, so long as there's a hole in any ice so that gases can get out, the fish should be fine.

 

[richdeer3]

I agree with the advice from "The Pond Doctor" (available on my site) that as long as there is a hole open fish can survive. If you do bring them in do it slowing and before the freeze. Koi and do jump so cover any holding containers. Using a deicer or heater is a great idea. Air pumps or Happy Fish pond palaces do double duty in the winter and summer keeping the oxygen levels up. Put your pump up on a crate or something that keeps the bottom foot of water undisturbed. Visit the articles on my site for even more fall care tips. Happy ponding, Gail