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| To make ice-breaking easier, float a log or small plastic bowl in the water before it freezes. When you need to feed the fish, remove the object from the ice, and break the thinner circle of ice underneath with a hammer. You can also bring your fish into an indoor aquarium for the winter. If you need to cull your fish population, don't release them into a wild pond or stream--they could disrupt the ecology. Pet stores will sometimes accept the fish, and they make great pets for friends. During the growing season, periodically check the underwater root systems of your floating plants (lift them out of the water). If they're particularly expansive, trim them back a little to give the fish space to swim. If you have young children, the pond can be a drowning hazard. Consider putting up a fence to keep such accidents from occurring. |
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A well-maintained pond is a healthy pond. Here are ways to keep it, and its residents, in tip-top shape: Tend the water. A natural, non-filtering pond will never be crystal clear. However, the water might become a little too soupy for your taste. To alleviate this problem, skim debris off the surface regularly so it doesn't sink to the bottom, and change at least 10 percent of the water every 2 weeks. To do this, fill up a large container (a clean garbage can works well) with tap water, then condition the water to remove the chlorine and chloramine. Wait the recommended amount of time for the conditioner to do its work, then use a large, measurable bucket to scoop out old water from the pond before adding conditioned water from the container. You'll also notice muck collecting on the pond's bottom. This sludge is actually the helpful nitrifying bacteria, but you can scoop some of it out if it looks out of hand (it will build back up quickly). Being careful not to rip the liner, use a shovel or spade and scoop out about half the sludge. It's a good idea to check the water's chemistry at least once a month. Check the pH levels with the kit, and also the ammonia levels (with an ammonia testing kit). If the levels are high, the fish could be in danger. You'll have to reduce their population, and change some of the water to get the chemistry back to normal. Tend the fish. The fish won't need as much food as indoor goldfish because of all the bugs and plants they'll be munching on. Ask the seller how much food is recommended if it's not printed on the label. If you live in a cold climate, the fishes' metabolism will slow down in the wintertime (fish can survive under ice as long as the pond is at least 2 feet, or 61 centimeters, deep). In these temperatures, they'll usually need to be fed about once every 6 weeks. You'll need to break the ice to do this. Finally, keep the fish population at a sustainable level. When goldfish breed they lay up to 500 eggs. Lucky for you, they also eat these eggs, and only a few of the babies typically survive. Still, as mentioned before, you may have to cull some of the newcomers to keep the water chemistry safe. Tend the plants. Keep an eye on your submergent plants, which can have a hard time since fish sometimes like to nibble away the leaves. If temperatures reach freezing in the winter, certain plants will need to be taken indoors (you can usually keep them in a water-filled bucket), while you can prune others down to the stems and leave them on the pond's floor, then bring them up to the tiers in the spring. Protect the pond. If you have a dog or cat, or if your area is prone to wild critters like raccoons or opossums, consider building a protective fence around the pond. Wild animals can develop a taste for your fish, while curious pets can sometimes tear the lining with their claws. One of the great things about a pond is the natural life it attracts. You'll soon have frogs, birds, snails, dragonflies, and more moving in--all of which will add to and enrich your lovely little habitat. -end-   All steps at once (printable version) |
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Maintain the pond
