🧭Our 5-Step Winter Pond Check and Why Most Pond Owners Skip Step 3

A Simple Routine That Saves You Big Headaches Later

You know how you get your car checked before a road trip? Your pond deserves the same kind of seasonal tune-up, especially before winter really sets in.

A quick 5-step pond check can save you hours of cleaning, dozens of headaches, and maybe even a fish or two.

Let’s go through it together (and yes, Step 3 is the one most people skip, but it’s the one your koi care about most 🐠).

🪣 Step 1: Skim the Surface

Even in Arizona, winter winds blow dust and leaves into your pond. Skimming the surface prevents all that from sinking and decaying into muck.

Pro Tip: Clean out your skimmer basket in fall and early winter, especially after monsoon season.

⚙️ Step 2: Inspect Your Equipment

Your Aquascape pump, skimmer, and BioFalls filter are the heart of your pond’s ecosystem. Check water flow, clear intakes, and rinse pads. If your pump looks sluggish, it might be time to replace a worn impeller or check the intake for buildup.

A five-minute inspection now prevents expensive repairs later.

💨 Step 3: Check Your Oxygen Levels (The Step Everyone Skips!)

This is the one step most pond owners forget, and it’s the most important one for fish health. Even in cooler water, oxygen levels can drop if circulation slows or if too much organic matter decomposes at the bottom.

Use a pond aerator to keep oxygen moving. This small piece of equipment does big work: it helps your koi breathe, prevents gas buildup, and keeps your water fresh and clear.

💡 Pro Tip: If your fish hang near the surface or look sluggish, that’s your pond telling you it needs more oxygen.

🌿 Step 4: Trim Plants and Remove Dead Growth

Cut back yellowing foliage and remove dying leaves before they decay. Hardy plants like iris or rushes can stay, but tropical plants should be trimmed or overwintered indoors.

Healthy plants = less work for your filters.

🐟 Step 5: Feed and Observe Your Fish

As temperatures drop, koi metabolism slows. Switch to Aquascape Cold Water Fish Food or reduce feeding altogether below 50°F.

Use this time to observe your koi. Are they active and alert? Do they have good color? Observation helps you catch early signs of stress or illness.

🎯 Quick Recap

✅ Skim regularly
✅ Inspect your equipment
✅ Don’t skip the oxygen check
✅ Trim plants
✅ Feed wisely and observe

Schedule Your Winter Pond Check Today – PondscapesAZ

Want a professional to handle your winter pond check? PondscapesAZ provides full Aquascape pond maintenance, from aeration to water testing, so you can relax all winter long.

Give us a call at 480-987-7781 or contact us online to schedule your koi pond maintenance in Mesa AZ.