Pond in autumn requires a series of works related to keeping the water in the pond in good condition. During this period, we have to remove leaves falling from the trees, which decompose and pollute the water in the pond. You also need to clean the pond and decide how to prepare the pond for winter. The method of securing a pond for the winter depends on the size and depth of the reservoir.
Pond in autumn - fallen leaves must be removed
A particular problem affectingpond in autumnis the deterioration of water quality caused by the intensification of decomposition processes. To prevent this, first of all, we must regularly remove leaves falling from trees from the water surface, because rotting leaves (especially oak leaves) excessively acidify the water. Catching fallen leaves is facilitated by special protective nets. In addition to the leaves falling from the trees, remove any faded and withering above-ground parts of plants.
In order to minimize the problem of leaves falling into the pond, it is worth considering what plants to plant around the pond and the autumn planting and transplanting dates should be used to organize plantings at the edge of the garden pond. It may turn out that by making slight corrections in plantings, we will eliminate the problem of leaves falling into the water in autumn.
" I do not encourage you to abuse chemicals that purify the water in the pond.However, it is worth using the Trigger-3 biopreparation prophylactically, thanks to which the biological balance in your pond is quickly established. Trigger-3 is a preparation with a biological effect of purity. It contains selected bacteria and enzymes. This makes it safe for fish and other creatures that inhabit the garden pond! The preparation should be used prophylactically in clean meshes, and also temporarily in a problematic situation. "
As the activity of the fish gradually decreases with the arrival of lower temperatures, we also limit the amount of food supplied to the fish so that there are no uneaten leftovers in the tank.To be sure the quality of the water (pH , hardness, and the content of nitrites and nitrates) it is worth checking with special testers, which can be purchased in aquarium stores. If the concentration of nitrites in the water exceeds 0.5 mg / l of water, such water is harmful to the fish. Concentrations above 5 mg / l will be fatal for fish.
If we find any irregularities in the water composition, about 15% of the water in the tank should be replaced. After 3 days, we repeat the water quality test.
The method of protection for the winter period depends on the size and form of our reservoir. In the case of small tanks located on balconies or terraces, the capacity of which does not exceed 200 liters, there is nothing else but complete disposal for the winter period. The fish and plants are moved to closed rooms, where we provide them with proper conditions, and the containers are emptied of water and filled with chopped straw, which will protect the container from cracking in severe frosts. Movable containers are also best moved to a closed room.If the water garden is located in a warm and quiet place, and its bottom has a solid insulation, you can after removing the fish and part of the water, not completely remove it. We cover the container with a wooden box, lined with a thick layer of polystyrene on the inside and outside.If the selected plants are left in the tank, the plants are covered with a straw mat and a thick layer of leaves. From time to time, we check the humidity of the substrate at the bottom of the tank - when it stops sticking to your fingers, you should water them a bit.
In the case of large tanks deeper than 100 cm, it will be possible to leave fish and plants in the tank. In such reservoirs, the water does not freeze to the bottom and fish will be able to overwinter in them, staying near the bottom of the reservoir, where the water temperature should not drop below 4 ° C.
In tanks with a depth of 100 to 120 cm, after all leaves have fallen, thorough cleaning should be performed. For the cleaning period, the fish are moved to another tank so that they do not obstruct the activities. Before cleaning, remove about 2/3 of the water content. After lowering the water level, remove the sludge settled on the bottom of the tank, and then clean the banks and bottom of the tank.Trim strongly developed plants. After performing these activities, refill the water and put the fish back in.
Cleaning the bottom of the tank from silt and other impurities will be facilitated by a vacuum cleaner for a pond. Thanks to it, cleaning the garden pond will become much easier (you do not need to lower the water level and enter the pond).
Feed the fish with a special autumn food in the pre-winter period. Autumn food is a special, easily digestible and high-energy food for fish when the water temperature drops below 15 degrees. It allows fish to accumulate energy for the winter, and the addition of garlic and unsaturated fatty acids OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6 strengthens the immune system and protects against infections.
Remember that at temperatures below 12 ° C, fish stop digesting them and you should not feed them anymore (as a rule, we stop feeding at the end of October). Decaying leftovers of uneaten food will decompose, reducing the quality of the water. For fish hibernating at the bottom of the pond, we need to provide enough space, which will be significantly reduced when part of the water freezes.So, if there are too many fish, some of them will have to be moved to the aquarium.
If there is an aeration device in the tank (which is recommended because the right amount of oxygen in the water will counteract harmful decay processes and help maintain the desired biological balance), we must place it no deeper than 20 cm below the water surface, so that it does not the cool surface layer of water was mixed with warmer water at the bottom of the reservoir, where the fish winter. The aerator left in this way for some time will prevent the water surface from freezing.
To prevent the water sheet from freezing completely and to allow it to ventilate, it is advisable to place one or two bundles of reed or reed mat in the water before the onset of strong cooling. Another way is to place a float with a buzzer or a floating ball. It is also possible to use a floating water heater, although this solution is rather rarely used.
Recently, it is also fashionable to use a styrofoam air hole, available in various versions, depending on our needs.
Pond in winter - fish hibernating in the pond
Most of the species of aquatic plants grown in Poland are plants that winter well in our climate. If we have winter-hardy varieties of water lilies (thermophilic varieties need to be moved to closed rooms), we can leave them in water for the winter, and if we grow them in a small tank, which we empty for the winter period, we cover these plants with a straw mat and leaves. Some plants overwinter at the bottom of the pond in the form of spores (e.g. floating salvinia) or winter buds (floating frogs).
Species sensitive to low temperatures must be transferred to the aquarium. It should be a shallow tank (height should not exceed 30 cm) with a water temperature of about 10 ° C.It is good to take into account the requirements of individual species. We keep plants such as melon or water hyacinth in a bright place so as not to stop the photosynthetic processes. Plants such as ongodek or tilted lizard can be kept both in a bright and slightly shaded place. In turn, small water lily or tiger lotus, even require periodic darkening.
Some plants can be stored without water in a constantly moist substrate. This method can be applied to water mycelium, tilted lizard or marsh colon. Plant species that are not resistant to frost and live in the shallow water and coastal zones should be transported along with the containers in which they were planted.
" In the pond (of course of the right size, as mentioned earlier) such fish species as the silver crucian (Carassius auratus gibelio), stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), rose (Rhodeus sericeus), sunflower (Leucespius delineatus) can winter ), sun bass (Lepomis gibbosus), golden orfa (Idus idus var.orfus) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). In the case of goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus), only the basic form can hibernate in the pond. All breeding forms of veils (picture opposite) must be transferred to the aquarium. "
Prepared on the basis of: A. Sieniawski, Nim the pond asleep, Flowers, No. 3/2002, pp. 18 - 22; A. Sieniawski, Sleeping ponds, Flowers 4/2002, pp. 22 - 24; B. Janowska, Before winter - The Water Garden, Działkowiec, No. 11/2003, pp. 8 - 9; A garden winter dream, My Beautiful Garden, No. 11/98, p. 54.