The time is fast approaching when cold temperatures and maybe ice will be attacking our pumps, leaf baskets, filters, UV’s, and plumbing. I have seen a vast variety of "Fixes" over the past years, -- some good some not, and thought we would take a minute here to offer some suggestions that can help protect your equipment during cold spells. One thing's for sure, our Koi have become the "Low Maintenance" portion of our hobby while the system mechanicals during winter, require much more hands-on time than usual. Here are some observations and suggestions to help protect your equipment during the winter especially when freezing temperatures hit.
Keep your system running:
In most cases, you can avoid ice build-up in and on your equipment if you keep everything pumping as usual.
Watch for ice build-up:
Especially at the waterfall, or other inlets to the pond. Ice can divert the flow over rocks and out of the system and eventually empty the system. Keep ice off the waterfalls as much as possible by breaking and removing the ice by hand. Same goes for streams.
Consider pond aeration:
If you have an aeration system in your pond, it’s likely you don't use it during the winter as cold water temperatures need less aeration than warm water in order to supply our fish with the needed oxygen levels. But, by running your aeration system during freezing temps, you will be moving the surface of the pond water which will help keep that surface from freezing solid.
Adjust your valves?
Do not adjust any valves during freezing temperatures. I have found ice build-up inside the valves while the system is running. Forcing a valve can damage it...If you must make a valve adjustment, try pouring hot water over the valve first. If the valve moves easily, then its probably OK to adjust, but don't force it. Same thing with your leaf basket cover.
Bead Filter Blowers:
If you have a bead filter with a blower sitting on top of a standpipe, you should know that while the system is running, the water in the standpipe is very likely not circulating. Even if your system is heated, this standpipe is a probable area of concern. I suggest you insulate the standpipe with wall or ceiling insulation that can be found at most home improvement stores. Wrap this pipe with insulation from where it exits the bead filter up to the top of the blower. Secure the insulation with HVAC tape or duct tape and cover the entire standpipe and blower with a heavy-duty plastic garbage bag. See below for an additional solution.
Exposed Plumbing
The exposed plumbing can also be wrapped with insulation as above...but there is a better way. Visit the major home improvement Depots and buy several electric heat cables. These really work very well. See the Internet site at www.easyheat.com for information and where to buy them. They can be used very easily and wrapped around pipes, valves, and standpipes as above, leaf baskets, you name it. The ones that I have found have a lighted plug so you know if you have power, and have a built in thermostat that turns the heated cable on at about 38 degrees! Get a couple of these and wrap everything that’s exposed.
Prepare for the worst:
This is a suggestion from a good customer, a good friend, and a great lover of Koi...and I fully agree. Prepare for the worst. PREPARE NOW for freezing temperatures TONIGHT!!!! If the temperature falls, you're ready -- and if it doesn't, well then you're still ready. The worst thing that can happen is that freezing temperatures hit now, and you begin to protect your investment tomorrow. Worse yet, you notice lower water levels, or ice build-up on your equipment at 10 o'clock tonight, so you begin looking for an all-night Home-Depot! Don’t fall into this trap, be prepared.
I hope we have given you some ideas as to how to avoid a catastrophe when low temperatures develop. Our pets know how to deal with winter conditions -- we can too. Good luck.