water quality in winter
sometimes its easy to forget that even though winter is here and I fish are not being fed anymore that water quality is still an issue if we expect our koi to be healthy and happy in the Spring.
Winter is typically a wet season in the northern part of the USA. Rain, slush and snow are enter the pond week after week in the months of January, Feb. and march. This can have a severe effect on pH and temperature as well as other chemical parameters in the pond.
Some creative hobbyists have used well water to help do water changes during winter. This can have mixed results! It is great if you have a warm water artesian well. But most have water from deep in the ground and 50-55F is usually the temperature of this water. Ironically this can act as a heating source in some parts of the country where the ambient water temperature is typically 40-45F. But the quality of the water, the oxygen levels of the water and the carbon dioxide content of the water must be known before this idea is tried! Very very important!
The other 'best' approach to this winter issue to to 'tent' the pond under poly carb sheets and/or green house plastic. this has two benefits-- it keeps winter rain and snow OUT and also keeps wind chill off the surface of the pond. koi keepers are always surprised when they see how much wind is a factor in how cold the pond water gets. A tent will also help keep thick ice cover from forming on the pond as it acts as a passive solar heat space. Finally when tented, the water can be changed just as it is in summer, albeit at a smaller amount ( 5-10% max) and less frequent time intervals ( monthly).
The lesson to take away here is ; your pond and fish are still alive and to a degree, under stress in very cold water. It is wise to treat them as trying to survive the rigors of winter-- in this regard there is mush you can do to make the experience less of a challenge. JR
Winter is typically a wet season in the northern part of the USA. Rain, slush and snow are enter the pond week after week in the months of January, Feb. and march. This can have a severe effect on pH and temperature as well as other chemical parameters in the pond.
Some creative hobbyists have used well water to help do water changes during winter. This can have mixed results! It is great if you have a warm water artesian well. But most have water from deep in the ground and 50-55F is usually the temperature of this water. Ironically this can act as a heating source in some parts of the country where the ambient water temperature is typically 40-45F. But the quality of the water, the oxygen levels of the water and the carbon dioxide content of the water must be known before this idea is tried! Very very important!
The other 'best' approach to this winter issue to to 'tent' the pond under poly carb sheets and/or green house plastic. this has two benefits-- it keeps winter rain and snow OUT and also keeps wind chill off the surface of the pond. koi keepers are always surprised when they see how much wind is a factor in how cold the pond water gets. A tent will also help keep thick ice cover from forming on the pond as it acts as a passive solar heat space. Finally when tented, the water can be changed just as it is in summer, albeit at a smaller amount ( 5-10% max) and less frequent time intervals ( monthly).
The lesson to take away here is ; your pond and fish are still alive and to a degree, under stress in very cold water. It is wise to treat them as trying to survive the rigors of winter-- in this regard there is mush you can do to make the experience less of a challenge. JR
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