Pond pump in winter

JEN22

Should i leave the pond pump running through out the winter months or switch it off???/

Waterlily24

We switch ours off over the winter Jen. Saying that our pump broke in the summer and we lost quite a few big fish in less than two days.

LindaMary

We switch ours off over winter

JEN22

When do I switch it off then please?

LindaMary

Usually when expecting the first frosty nights

JEN22

If the winter is frost free in the main shouldi keep it on?

LindaMary

See how the fish are doing. It got to November last year before the weather got cold, although the pond never had ice on it. If the temperature is 5 dog or less through the day then that's when it's time. Usually switch back on around March. It all depends on the winter we have. There is no harm running the pump on a mild day just to turn the water

TheGardener

I switch mine off but leave a couple of kids footballs floating on the surface - if there is a cold snap that freezes the surface the drift movement of the balls can keep the water moving just enough to stop a complete freeze over. If it does freeze hard, I just remove a ball to leave a large air hole rather than smash the ice which can cause 'shock' damage to the fish.

Justagardener

Use a plug in timer and run it for a couple of hours a day, usually best about 12-2pm when the day is at it's warmest. Turn it off when the temperature gets to about -2C after this the pond will start freezing over. It helps to run pond pumps to put oxygen in the water.

nanny_beach

We turn ours off in winter, but have a heater for the fish, not expensive to buy or run, Pump of heater on at any mention of the "F" word!

forgotmyname

You have fish the pump should never be turned off, the filters still need to be running 24/7.