submitted by
Suzy Que @ Que Aquatics & Exotics
October 19, 2019

1. Change the food and slow feedings when temperatures drop.
• 50-59°F I use only an easily digested diets with a Wheat Germ base and feed no more than 2 times daily between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm if possible. Wheat-germ-based food because it is easier to digest at lower temperatures. During the colder months the fishes’ metabolism and the pond’s “ammonia-reducing” biological activity Gets progressively slower.
• 41-50°F I slow down on the feeding even more and still try to feed between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
• Below 41°F I stop feeding altogether as they should be in their hibernation mode at this point
2. Trim and move aquatic plants. I cut back all my plant life and remove the floating plants.
3. Clean the walls and plant shelves.
• Drain a little water for ease of cleaning
• Clean out the skimmer
4. Scoop up all the leaves and other items that will break down including any wood used as basking stations
5. Start to move the hardy plants to the deepest part of the pond
6. Remove any fish or turtles that will not be hibernating for the winter
7. Add a net covering the pond, I keep it at least a foot above the water.
8. Shut Off Moving Water and Pumps, very sad day when I need to do this.
9. Remove, Clean and Store Filters.
10. Install my air pump using large air stones. I may actually use a de-icee this year!
11. Store Equipment Properly.