
Winter is here in New Jersey, and as temperatures continue to drop, you might be wondering how to keep your pond safe and thriving until spring. With freezing weather here to stay, pond care can feel like a bigger task than usual.
But don’t worry! With a little winter pond care know-how and the right tools, you can ensure your fish and plants stay healthy through these cold months.
Let’s tackle some of the most common questions we get from pond owners so you’ll be fully prepared to care for your aquatic oasis this winter.
Do I Need A Deicer During Winter?
If your pond is home to fish, especially koi or goldfish, a deicer can be a lifesaver during the winter months. Its primary job is to keep a small area of the pond’s surface ice-free. While it won’t thaw the entire surface, it will open enough space to allow oxygen to enter the water and harmful gases like carbon dioxide to escape.
Smaller or shallow ponds are more likely to freeze during frigid weather, which makes a deicer an essential piece of equipment. For larger or deeper ponds, a deicer may not be as critical since they are less prone to freezing solid, but it can still provide added peace of mind during extreme cold spells.
If your pond features moving water, like a waterfall or stream, you already have a natural defense against freezing. The movement helps keep water circulating and prevents ice buildup. Even so, a deicer plays an important role by ensuring a specific area remains open, allowing for proper gas exchange.
Pairing a deicer with an aerator provides an extra layer of protection for your pond. While an aerator helps keep water circulating, extreme cold can still cause parts of the surface to freeze. In such cases, a deicer serves as a dependable backup, ensuring a crucial ice-free zone—even during unexpected winter setbacks like pump failure. Working together, these two tools create a robust system to safeguard your fish and maintain the health of your pond throughout the toughest winter conditions.
Do I Need A Heater For My Pond?
It really depends on what’s swimming or growing in your pond and how it’s set up. If you’re caring for tropical fish or plants that aren’t built to withstand the cold, a heater isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. These species thrive in warmer waters, and a heater can help prevent extreme temperature drops that could stress or harm fish.
For most ponds, a heater is really about preventing extreme cold and icing, rather than making the water warm.
In smaller ponds where freezing happens quickly, a heater can be a vital tool for keeping temperatures stable and your aquatic life healthy.
On the other hand, if your pond is large and home to hardy fish like goldfish, you might be able to skip the heater. Larger ponds naturally retain heat better, so they’re less prone to dramatic temperature shifts. As long as your pond doesn’t freeze solid and there’s enough oxygen circulating, your fish should fare just fine through the winter months.
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Can I Run My Waterfall All Winter?
Yes, you can absolutely run your waterfall during the winter, but it’s important to keep a few things in mind to avoid any icy mishaps.
First, take a good look at your pond’s design and equipment. If your pump and plumbing are built for year-round use and you’re using a submersible pump (which is safely tucked below the frost line), you’re off to a great start. Just make sure everything is up to the task of handling freezing temperatures.
That said, running a waterfall in winter requires a bit more attention. Ice can start to form around the falls and in the stream, which can be a problem. If ice builds up too much, it can divert water out of the pond, causing the water level to drop. If your pump ends up running dry because of this, it could overheat and get damaged—a costly fix no one wants.
If freezing weather drags on and the risk of ice buildup seems unavoidable, it might be time to hit pause to avoid potential headaches. In the meantime, your job is to keep an eye on it—which might actually be a job you enjoy since water icing over is a stunning winter sight to behold!
When Should I Stop (And Start) Feeding My Fish?
Feeding your fish isn’t about the chilly air—it’s all about the water temperature. Fish are cold-blooded creatures, which means their metabolism slows down as the water gets colder. Once the water dips below 50°F, their appetite fades, and their ability to digest food properly shuts down.
So, when should you stop feeding them? As soon as the water temperature consistently falls below that 50°F mark, it’s time to put the fish food away. Any uneaten food can linger in the water and lead to poor water quality, which isn’t good for anyone—especially your fish.
When spring rolls around and the water warms back up to 50°F, you can gradually reintroduce feeding. Start small with an easily digestible food, like wheat germ-based pellets, to ease their metabolism back into action. As the temperatures continue to climb, you can transition to their regular diet.
If the water is hovering right around 50°F and your fish don’t seem interested in eating, it’s best to hold off. Trust their instincts—they’ll know when it’s time to eat again. By feeding responsibly during these seasonal transitions, you’ll help keep your fish healthy and happy year-round.
What Should I Do If My Pond Freezes Over?
It happens—you’re busy with the holidays, hibernating from an extended cold snap, busy with New Year’s resolutions. Maybe the weather is particularly brutal and despite your best efforts, the surface of your pond freezes solid.
First, don’t panic! Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to smash the ice with a hammer, shovel, or other sharp or blunt object. Doing so can shock or harm your fish and even damage the pond liner.
Instead, use a floating heater or deicer to gradually melt an opening. Don’t have one? Alternatively, you can pour hot water over the ice enough to open up a hole, or hold a hot pot or kettle against the ice until you achieve the same effect.
Then hurry quick and get yourself a deicer before it happens again. Your fish will be ok for a few days under a sheet of ice but prolonged periods can have fatal results.
Where Should I Place My Aerator Discs?
During the colder months, where you place your aerator discs can make a big difference in keeping your pond healthy and ice-free. The ideal spot? Near the skimmer. Here’s why:
First, placing the aerator discs by the skimmer helps prevent ice from building up. The skimmer naturally collects floating debris like leaves, which can contribute to ice formation and block the water’s surface. Keeping the water moving in this area ensures it stays open and flowing, even in freezing temperatures.
This location is also vital for oxygen exchange. The skimmer works by drawing water from the surface, which is where oxygen is absorbed into the pond and gases like carbon dioxide are released. Aerating this spot promotes better circulation, ensuring your fish have a steady supply of oxygen and a healthier environment.
Finally, aerating near the skimmer helps maintain consistent water movement throughout the pond. Winter often brings stagnation, but the gentle flow created by the aerator ensures oxygen levels stay balanced, supporting the wellbeing of your fish and the overall health of the pond.
Got Questions?
These were just a few of the questions that we hear every winter, and especially now that Jack Frost seems to be on a tear! If you have other questions that we haven’t answered here, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our pond pros are intimately knowledgeable about ponds, fish, and seasonal care, and can offer advice, product recommendations, and even personalized attention.
Call or email us and let us know if you need pond supplies or have an urgent need. Request a home consultation for pond maintenance, emergency service, improvements, and more. We’re here to help!

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