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Nothing quite beats sitting by a backyard pond, sipping a drink, surrounded by the sounds of cascading water from a miniature waterfall and fish slapping their tails against a gentle tide. All good things must come to an end however. As time rolls on, leaves start to carpet the ground and a chill begins to permeate the air. As someone from that show about zombies and dragons would say, winter is coming. It’s that time again; time to start thinking about maintenance to your pond pump.

Should I turn my pond pump off for the winter?

Whether you leave your pump powered on or off in the winter depends on two factors: climate and aquatic life. If you live in a climate that does not experience below freezing temperatures, you can safely leave the pump running throughout winter without any issues.

However if you live in colder climates, you may want to keep the pump off during the winter. When pond water freezes, it could freeze the pump as well and cause irrevocable damage, in which case you’ll need to purchase a replacement. The freezing point for water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have no aquatic life in your pond, it is safer to have the pump off when temperatures fall below freezing so you can avoid damage to the pump. You may even want to empty your pond of water as this can prevent damage from ice buildup. Ice expands over time and may damage your pond’s lining.

The primary job of a pond pump is to circulate the water of a pond. If you have aquatic life in your pond (such as fish, frogs, or turtles), the water needs to be warm enough for them. Water that is circulating takes longer to freeze than still water and pumps aid in keeping the water warm enough to sustain life. If you live in a cold climate, it’s also a good idea to have a pond heater. A pond heater can open a “breathing hole” in the ice, or a place for harmful toxins to escape.

PumpProducts.com sells pond pumps from Little Giant at some of the lowest prices available on the web. Little Giant offers some of the most dependable models on the market. No matter which model of pond pump you own though, the best place to check on the specific maintenance and operating conditions of your pump is in the pump’s manual. Some pond pump models are better suited for colder climates than others. If you store your pump away for the winter, you may want to keep it submerged in a bucket of water (in a place that will not allow the water to freeze) in order to keep the seals lubricated.

Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.