Top Tips to Prepare your Pond for Winter 

Winter can be a challenging season for pond owners. Falling temperatures, decaying leaves, and reduced daylight all place stress on your pond and its inhabitants. Preparing early helps keep your fish healthy, your water clear, and your equipment running smoothly until spring.

1. CLEAN AND CLEAR YOUR POND

As autumn progresses, leaves, twigs and sludge build up in your pond. As they decompose, they release ammonia and other harmful compounds that can impact water quality and fish health.

What to do:

Skim the surface regularly with a net to remove leaves and floating debris.

 Use a pond vacuum to remove sludge settling at the bottom.

If your pond is surrounded by trees, a net can help keep leaves out during the worst of the season.

Trim and tidy plants so dead foliage doesn’t fall into the water.

Pro Tip:

Clean before the first frost, it's far easier and much more effective.

2. CHECK AND MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT

Winter can be hard on your pond's equipment especially if not installed within a filter house. Evolution Aqua's pond equipment such as filters, UV units, and water pumps are designed to be long-lasting but need proper care during the colder months.

What to do:

Disconnect your Detox (in-line dechlorinator) and store indoor in a dry place. Ensure it is fully drained to avoid frost damage.

Clean your evoUV following the maintenance instructions. The unit must be fully frost protected. If you’re able to bypass your UV, draining it for winter is good practice.

Clean your Varipump and check for any debris in the filters. We’d recommend running your filter for as long as possible to prevent freezing, insulating your filter and pump can be good practice if kept outdoors against the elements. However when reaching extremely low temperatures, drain your filter to prevent filter freezing solid.

Inspect cable seals, fittings and connectors and check any exposed pipework for wear or cracking.

By performing this equipment check, you'll ensure everything is in optimal condition for the next season. Looking to clean or maintain your other Evolution Aqua products check out our helpful how-to playlist on YouTube

3. KEEPING YOUR POND FROM FREEZING

Keeping your pond from freezing over is critical, especially in areas with long and harsh winters. 

What to do:

A pond heater can help to maintain an opening in the ice, allowing oxygen to enter and preventing harmful gases from being trapped which can harm fish. If a pond heater isn't in the budget, consider these alternatives:

 Float a pool noodle or a rubber ball on the water’s surface to prevent complete freezing.

 Create a windbreak around your pond using hardy plants, fencing panels or screens to help reduce wind chill, which can cause rapid heat loss.

 Regularly check the pond surface for ice formation and remove any that accumulates if you are using alternative methods.

Consider positioning Air Pumps  strategically to create circulation in areas most prone to freezing, ensuring your fish have a healthy environment throughout the winter.

Pro Tip:

Never smash the ice to create a hole. Doing so sends shockwaves through the water that can injure or severely stress your fish. If you need to create an opening, place a container of warm water on the surface and allow it to melt through gently.

4. REDUCE FISH FEEDING

Fish naturally eat less as temperatures drop. Their metabolism slows down, meaning they need less food. Continuing to feed your fish too much can result in excess waste, which contributes to poorer water quality.

What to do:

 Gradually reduce feeding when the water temperature drops below 10°C.

 Switch to Evolution Aqua's wheatgerm food, which is lower in protein and easily digestible, ensuring your fish receive essential nutrients without straining their system.

 When the temperature drops below 4°C, you will only need to feed your fish 1-2 times a week until spring.

5. MONITOR WATER LEVELS AND QUALITY

Winter conditions still affect water quality despite reduced biological activity. Additionally, maintaining water quality is just as important during winter as it is in summer.

What to do:

 Check water levels and top-up when needed using an in-line dechlorinator to remove chlorine.

 Regularly test the water for pH, ammonia and nitrite levels throughout winter.

Even in cold weather, ammonia can still rise due to decomposing leaves, plant or fish waste.

6. PREPARE YOUR PLANTS

Aquatic plants are an integral part of your pond ecosystem, but not all plants handle the cold weather the same. Hardy varieties will survive in deeper water, while tropical or delicate plants may need extra care.

What to do:

 Trim back any dead or dying foliage before it sinks and decomposes.

 Move hardy plants, like water lilies, to the deeper areas of your pond where they are less likely to freeze.

 For more delicate plants, consider moving them indoors to an aquarium or water feature until spring.

Leave some plant stalks above the surface as they provide small ventilation channels for wildlife during winter.

7. USE PURE PRODUCTS TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY

Even in the colder months, maintaining beneficial bacteria levels in your pond is essential. 

What to do:

Use PURE Sludge Remover in the weeks leading up to winter to manage sludge levels effectively before temperatures drop.

 Monitor water temperature and use PURE Filter Start Gel once temperatures begin to rise, usually around late March or early April, to replenish beneficial bacteria and support a healthy pond environment.

Find out more about our PURE Pond products

FINAL THOUGHTS

Taking the time to prepare your pond for winter will pay off when warmer weather returns. Following these simple steps and using Evolution Aqua’s trusted range of products will help keep your pond clean, clear and healthy, ensuring your fish and plants emerge from winter in top condition.

To explore our full range of products, visit: www.evolutionaqua.com