Advice for Koi keepers during autumn

In autumn, the days will still be quite warm but the nights will start to cool. Just as in spring now is the time to give your pond a last good dose of maintenance before the winter approaches.

Anti-parasite treatments

The time is now right to give the pond an anti-parasite treatment before settling the fish down for winter. Remove any stray leaves from the pond now as we do not want them rotting on the bottom of the pond throughout winter causing poor water quality, also cut back any pond plants that you may have.

Feeding patterns

Feeding will slow down and soon the fish should only be given wheatgerm foods with less protein than the summer months (the wheatgerm can either be a sinking or a floating pellet). As the water is now cooling off the fish become less active, therefore not needing the protein as they once did in the summer months.

Pond Filters

The filter should be given one last clean, brushes and settlement chambers should also be cleaned. Remembering not to disturb the biological parts of the filter too much. As late autumn approaches and the frosty mornings are here, air pumps and waterfalls etc can be switched off as these will chill the water if left on. Now the water is cooler the oxygen levels will be naturally higher than in the summer.

Protecting your pond

Now would be a good time to be thinking of protecting the pond and fish from the ravages of winter. Whether you are heating the pond of not it is a good idea to cover most of the pond, this will help protect the pond. Bubble wrap is a good idea as it lets sunlight in and traps any heat. It can be built on a light wooden frame and laid across the pond. Remember to fit a guide rope, this will stop the wind carrying them off across the garden! Polycarbonate is an excellent option as it is strong and light and will last a lifetime. Whereas bubblewrap can get damaged by the wind, rain, snow etc of the winter months.

Bubblewrap pond cover