To prevent ponds from freezing during mild frosts, place an old tennis ball in the water as the temperature drops. The movement of the ball will slow the formation of ice on the surface. If the pond does freeze over, removal of the tennis ball creates an instant oxygen hole for fish and plants.
Many people who own pondless water features are curious about whether or not they can be used during winter. While numerous experts will recommend deactivating such features for the winter season, it is possible to safely operate them all year round, if you don't mind performing a few chores.
Don't Run Your Fountain During the Winter
During the cold winter months, the water inside a fountain can freeze and expand as temperatures fluctuate, weakening and cracking the material of your fountain and damaging the pump.
Cast stone is porous and absorbs water, as it freezes the water molecules expand and can cause cracks in very cold temperatures. Turn off your pump and make sure that both the tiers and the bowl is emptied.
Can I Leave Water In My Fountain During The Winter? No! When temperatures drop below freezing, the water in your fountain will freeze, cracking your fountain. Even if the water is running, droplets will jump out of the stream and hide in small cracks along the walls of your fountain.
Use food-grade propylene glycol to fill the pump body to mix with any remaining water left inside the pump to prevent the system from freezing.
Should I Leave My Pond Pump Running In Winter? Many guides will recommend that you completely shut down your pond pump over the winter to prevent the water from becoming super chilled; however, this isn't necessary for our climate.
Do I have to turn my water fountain off at night or when I am away? Water fountain pumps are meant to run 24/7. It is harder on the pump if it is turned on and off continuously. You should not need to turn your fountain off as long as there is enough water in the fountain for the allotted time.
Dealing with a Frozen Pump or Pipes
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, your well pump and water pipes may freeze. If this happens, the first thing you should do is open a faucet to relieve any built-up pressure on the lines. This also allows you to pinpoint the problem spot.
When a fountain timer is set turn a fountain off at night, during the cold winter months, the water around the fountain motor can freeze and prevent the fountain shaft and propeller from moving when the fountain tries to restart the next morning.
The minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing is 55° F. However, between 60° F and 68° F is a safer range. This way the air around your pipes is warm enough to keep them from freezing. If you live in a warmer climate, you should keep your above 68° because your pipes are not insulated against the freezing cold.
Thaw Frozen Pipes
But if they have running water, it's likely your pipes have frozen. Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe once the area is melted. This will help melt more ice.
The water inside a well pump and any pipes exposed to temperatures around or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit are at risk of freezing up.
5) How long can I expect my fountain to last? A fountain that is well maintained and crafted from quality materials will last for years. Regardless of whether they are meant to be placed indoors or outdoors, fountains are meant to bring lasting value- think about the most celebrated fountains in the world.
More importantly, continuous running also helps prevent mineral buildup on the surface of the fountain since the surface is not going through wet/dry cycles, as the drying process leaves behind sediment after the water evaporates. Those sediments can build up over time, much like the stalactites in a cave.
A pond's pump should run 24 hours each day to ensure the pond's water circulates through the filter to keep the water clear.
During the coldest parts of winter, your pond must not freeze all of the way through. There should be enough unfrozen water at the bottom of the pond for your fish to ride out the winter. As a rule of thumb, ponds need to be at least 18 inches deep, ideally 24 inches or more, to overwinter fish.
To winterize the pond pimp, all you have to do is submerge it in a bucket of water. This will help keep the seals of the pump lubricated. Then, keep the bucket away in an area where it will not freeze, such as your basement, heated garage, or storeroom.
Garden ponds, as well as all natural bodies of water, will always freeze from top to bottom because the water exposed to the air loses it's heat much faster in comparison to the water at the bottom. As the surface water loses it's heat it begins to freeze, which creates a layer of ice on the top of the pond.
As fish slow down in fall, it is time to shut off any waterfalls, fountains or bubblers and remove the pond's pump to store it for winter. The warmest water will be at the bottom of the pond where fish are hibernating, and continuing to move the water in winter would cool the pond and endanger its fish and plants.