Koi ponds are beautiful
additions to a Minnesota
backyard in the summertime. But how do the fish survive a Minnesota winter?
I have sold a few homes with
ponds and waterfalls that hold beautiful koi, a fish that resembles a giant
goldfish. One sale took place in the dead of a Minnesota winter. Thank goodness the buyers
were “koi-experts”. They knew if the pond wasn't properly winterized, the
fish could all be dead under the ice.
Of course when I looked at
the pond, I figured they had to be goners already. It can get very cold in
January and February and we hit some brutally low temps that year. But the pond
and fish did survive because the seller did take proper steps in the fall.
Well it’s that time of year
again and if you do have a koi pond in your Minnesota backyard, it’s time to prepare
your pond for the winter ahead.
Here
are a few important tips to help your Koi Survive the Minnesota Winters.
Clean the Pond—Before the water temperature of the pond drops below
60 degrees Fahrenheit, vacuum all sludge and debris from the bottom of the
pond. Test and treat for parasites and
bacteria.
Shut off Water—When temps drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit make
sure all water sources are off and pipes drained. The water must cool to keep
reduce the body temperatures of the fish.
Don’t Allow to Freeze—Use a de-icer or aerator to maintain a small hole in
the ice to remove toxic gases like ammonia that will accumulate under the ice.
Don’t Feed—Once pond water hits 55 degrees Fahrenheit and stays
at that temp day and night for 10 days, it is time to stop feeding and shut off
the water.
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