The Ponds, Goldfish and Koi

[Barbara]

Cool story Sue.
It doesn't really matter if it freezes, but you must keep a hole open to allow methane gas exchange or else the fish can be poisoned. We cover the ponds with a tarp and straw to insultate and we keep the pumps running and that usually serves as an openning. You can also buy a heater to do the same thing, we don't bother since the winters are getting so soft that the ponds don't freeze much under the coverings. This year we haven't even bothered. You also must remove the filtration from the pumbs over the winter so toxins aren't pumped back out into the water. During the rest of the season the filteraton sponges must be cleaned weekly.
Lots of fun.