Those in the NE, how do you over winter?

[BreellaBlue87]

okay, so I'm in Syracuse, NY. This summer was my first summer with a pond. It's about 250g (i think), we got it from home depot for like $130. I don't have any photos at the moment, They're on my travel drive and i'm not 100% sure where that is at the moment.

But anywho, how do you overwinter your Koi? Being that we're a zone 4 I was told that I would need at least water 4 feet deep to keep them outside as well as a de-icer and a bubbler.

I'm looking for some advice because in the spring I'll be adding another section to my pond and I'd really like to make it deep enough to keep them outside next winter if it's possible.

[artemis]

You can use a stock tank heater to keep the water in your pond from freezing. (That's what I use here in Nebraska, and my pond has stayed liquid even through the coldest nights.) They use a lot of electricity, though, and you'll have to top off the pond once a week or so as the heated water will slowly evaporate. Many people find it's easier to rig up a holding tank/filter setup in their basement or heated garage, and transfer the fish to that.

[jackiomy]

oops

[SunshinePuppies]

My mother bought a pond heater from drsfostersmith.com. It works really good too. We're also in nebraska

[bass n ri]

im in rhode island and my fish do fine no heater or anyhting

[naturegrl]

My uncle lives in Northern Michigan and moves everybody(plants and fish) indoors. He keeps a couple of huge plastic tubs in the basement w/ filters, growlights etc....

I'm not sure how many gallons his pond is, but I would guess it's probably about the same size as yours. He did find a fish in the spring once that survived, he had apparently missed in the fall.

It's a bit of work twice a year for him but he's always liked "projects". Always busy, busy, busy. It's an absolutely beautiful pond with about a 4 ft. waterfall. I wish I had pics. He built up the landscape behind it with gorgeous plants and shrubs of brilliant colors. The waterfall cascades down several levels of flagstone before it falls into the pond. Several koi and water plants that just stay in pots for easy removal. The local wildlife love it too. Deer come to drink and frogs take up residence for the summer.