Murfreesboro, TN on Aug 02, 2012

Need helpful advice on winterizing a koi pond

My husband built the small koi pond you see in the pictures (and from the previous post I shared) earlier this year when our Bassett Hound passed away in her memory. We have thoroughly enjoyed it. But now, as summer is nearing fall, we have a lot of questions about what we need to do to winterize it. Will we need a heater? Do we run the fountain all winter? Do we remove the plants? Will the water lily survive over winter...etc. etc. etc.! We live in Tennessee, so our winters are mild. We do have a "deep" end in the center of the pond for the fish to go down deeper. Any advice?

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15 Comments

Sherrie S Debary, FL

Karen W, I can only tell you what I know - Goldfish & Koi survive winter but you cannot let the pond freeze. Since I have a PLECO I learned quickly that he needed temps over 50 degrees & he almost died because of temperatures. We have learned to turn OFF the waterfall to keep the pond warmer. Also we bought a solar blanket that really helped keep the PLECO alive and the other fish warmer. The plants had no problem. ...»

The deeper the pond, the better the outcome. I can't find a decent heater anywhere.

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
Sharron W Memphis, TN

I don't have a problem with the lillies, they look like mush, but come back every spring...I didn't have a problem with my fish until the Raccoons fished them out and ate them but I only had normal goldfish and Koi...I'm wondering if one of the "underfloor" heating systems would work if it had been put in under the pond...

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Sharron W, I don't think underfloor heating is necessary if you have goldfish & Koi. Just keep the pond from freezing over. The "real" heaters are expensive and I would also be concerned about energy cost. A cheap heater won't heat a small bathtub of water in winter.

on Aug 03, 2012 · Like 1
Susie B Loyalhanna, PA

We have small heater just for ponds that floats on top of water during winter to keep a small opening for the gases to escape. The goldfish and koi will be fine. Our winters are colder, we don't feed in winter and we shut down the pumps and waterfall. Cover with pond netting to keep leaves out. Cut plants down and just leave on pond bottom. We also have a deeper section, but with winters being milder later, they stay in shallow areas. Good luck and enjoy your pond!
on Aug 03, 2012 · Like 3
Karen W Murfreesboro, TN

Thank you, Susie B. That was some good information!

on Aug 03, 2012 · Like 1
Jan P Windsor, CT

We have a koi pond - waterfall runs 24-7 365 days a year....we will put in the little ring heater in winter - we have had some pretty cold weather here - and have had the waterfall freeze a bit - but the fish fared very well...we did lose them last year after the Halloween snow storm - we figured the water temp changed so drastically they didn't have a chance. We have 4 new fish this year - and they are doing great!!

on Aug 03, 2012 · Like 2
Susie B Loyalhanna, PA

The de-icer ( I called heater) is also on a timer, that my husband has set to only run midnight to noon. That cuts down on cost. Just a added tip. Again, enjoy the pond, they are enjoyable and quite an attraction to guests.

on Aug 04, 2012 · Like 2
Vicki Smyrna, GA

we used to enjoy goldfish pond @ our back yard. My fav gold fish grew bigger and faster in the pond than @ aquarium. It always came up to me for me to pet gentle on it's head. I had it for 4 yrs? and then it was gone. I was so sad. Anyway, we used electric heater and it helped. I wonder about solar heater?

on Aug 04, 2012 · Like 2
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Vicki, goldfish and Koi should not need a heater but they do need a de-icer as Susie B stated. Turning off the waterfall is also helpful. I have a solar blanket I put on the pond when it was 30 degrees for several days as one fish (pleco) needs water that is 50 degrees or higher. The deeper the pond, the better.

on Aug 04, 2012 · Like 2
Maico S Greenville, SC

that's an awesome idea using landscape timbers, I may have to steal that / borrow it. Goggle it maybe have to put in a heater in there during the winter .... guessing

on Aug 04, 2012 · Like 2
TJB-INC Landscape Contrac... Hamden, CT

If you are looking for a Certified Aquascape Contractor in southern New England area, please contact TJB-INC at 203-288-3711 We design, install, renovate, maintain, & repair ponds throughout Connecticut. The complete line of Aquascape brand Pond Supplies are available at www.ShopTJB.com

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Chris' Water Gardens Homer, IL

Here is a video we always share with our customers and maybe you'll find it helpful as well.
on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 0
Karen W Murfreesboro, TN

Thank you so much, Chris!! That was extremely helpful!

on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 0
Chris' Water Gardens Homer, IL

You are so welcome! If you're ever in need, look for a Certified Aquascape Contractor in your area - they'll always know what to do! :)

on Sep 17, 2012 · Like 1
Pia Canada

It is possible to keep koi through the winter. I am in northern Ontario where the winters are incredibly cold and we have kept koi in our pond for 4 years now with none lost. The pond is 4 feet in the middle rising to 2 foot ledges on the sides. We turn off and pull out our pumps and put away our filters and add salt to the pond. We run a bubbler about 8 inches from the edge of the pond and run a floating heater (not intended to heat the pond but to keep a hole open for gas exchange in the ...»
coldest weather). The dome acts as a greenouse of sorts and keeps the cold winds off of the pond's surface. Will soon be time to expand the pond as the fish have grown considerably over the past 4 years.
on Feb 02, 2013 · Like 0