Hi Friend,

We're getting lots and lots of questions this time of year, so in today's Pond Q&A we've got 3 questions to ponder:

Question>

Good Day

I have a Water Lilly plant and I want to remove it for the winter. I am trying to find info on what to do to keep it all winter in basement. I know you had info on winter storage of plants but I can't locate it. Please advise.

Thank you kindly

Jerry

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Answer>

Hi Jerry,

Yes, you can remove your water lillies and bring them indoors (or into your garage) for the winter. Just cut back any lily stems above the potted root, or rhiozyme, and place the pot in a trash bag with wet newspaper over it, and tie it up to keep it moist.

As long as the rhiozyme doesn't freeze or dry out, it should survive the winter just fine. Then just fertilize it in the Spring when you put it back into the pond!

Brett

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Question>

I've been debating about getting a de-icer and trying to keep the fish in the pond, or bringing them inside. But I assumed I would need to keep the pump running if I left them in the pond, and the thought of trudging out in the snow to clean a filter was unbearable.

So if there is a de-icer in the pond, the fish still stay inactive and in hibernation mode, and there is no need to feed them (and thus no need to run a pump to clean the water?) The de-icer must not be heating the water much...just enough to keep the top open?

Secondly, is the airstone critical with the de-icer?

Thanks for your guidance-

Diana

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Answer>

Diana,

We always recommend de-icers for our Northern pond owners who have their ponds freeze during winter.

It's generally always best to leave the fish in the pond, and not subject them to the added stress of removing them from the pond, and transporting them into a new environment. The biggest problem with bringing fish indoors, is that the new aquarium/pond usually has very different water temperature and/or pH as well as a new or immature biological filter.

Most people who try this, experience fish losses due to Ammonia or Nitrite poisoning (from inadequate filtration), and the added stress of being moved from the pond.

So, it's really best just to use a de-icer (unless you expect your pond to freeze solid). We recommend turning off and removing your pump during winter. It's best not to circulate your pond water, as the water at the bottom is slightly warmer than the colder surface water.

An air pump is not essential, but can be important especially for heavy fish loads or excess debris in the pond (helps the pond with 'de-gassing' of toxins).

Hope this helps.

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Question>

Brett,

I have a question for you. Honey bees have decided to come and drink from my waterfall. As far as we know we can not find a hive anywhere around the house, but there is trees about 100 yards away that the seem to fly to and from but lose them once the go in the trees. My problem is how do you get rid of them without hurting the fish that are in the pond. I need to do somework on the pond but cant because everytime i go back there i stur up about 25 bees.

Thanks
Ron

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Answer>

Napalm!!

(Works for all pests)

Not sure really, but good luck with that...

Brett

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