Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
All of our resources are free. Please don't hesitate to share them with others!
Search
Should I keep a recirculating pump going during the winter?
Recirculating pumps are rarely a good idea during the winter months in your pond.
Read More
Is it ok to feed my fish treats if there's a warm spell during winter months?
Fish's metabolism slows greatly during the winter months, meaning that they can no longer properly digest food until things warm back up.
Read More
What do I do with fancy goldfish and tropical fish during winter?
Fish can be moved indoors into a holding tank or pool to survive the coldest months.
Read More
Can I introduce new fish to my pond during winter?
Adding fish to your pond in the winter isn't a great idea, as this is the period of time in which fish are in a state of hibernation, and may not have the fat stores necessary to survive.
Read More
I just got some new koi and there's ice on my pond! What do I do?
If your pond is too cold to introduce new fish, it's a good idea to keep them inside until the springtime.
Read More
How do I prepare my pond plants for winter?
Winterizing your pond plants begins in the fall with pruning and general maintanence.
Read More
Should I cover my fish pond in winter to keep it from getting too cold?
Covering your pond completely isn't a good idea, this can trap gases within the pond, poisoning or even killing your fish.
Read More
How do you oxygenate a pond in the winter?
A pond aerator is a great choice for oxygenating your pond throughout the winter and keeping your fish healthy.
Read More
How can I keep my outdoor pond warm in the winter?
Pond heaters don't heat the entire pond, but they can keep a small circular area from freezing, allowing gas to escape and air to enter the water.
Read More
Do hardy water lilies need special treatment for the winter?
Hardy water lillies will need to be in deep enough water that they aren't at risk of freezing completely.
Read More
How do floating pond plants survive the winter?
Floating pond plants need to be in water warm enough to survive through the winter, and not freeze completely.
Read More
Are there pond plants that can stay green during winter?
There are several kinds of evergreen aquatic plants, typically reeds and other hardy plants.
Read More
Why are my winter fish all at the bottom of the pond?
Warmer water stays near the bottom of your pond, fish will congregate here in order to stay warm through the winter.
Read More
It's spring! Why are my fish still hibernating?
It may take a few days after temperatures exceed 50 degrees for fish to begin to regain normal functioning and altertness.
Read More
Why are my fish active in mid-winter?
The kind of hibernation that fish enter is referred to as "torpor," and is only primarily dormant -- fish will still occasionally begin to move around again to find food or warm up.
Read More
What pond plants are winter hardy?
There are lots of pond plants that can survive through the winter.
Read More
Do fish hibernate like bears?
Both fish and bears enter a kind of hibernation referred to as "torpor"
Read More
Should I plant winter hardy plants in my fish pond?
Plants that can survive through the colder months will provide a wide host of advantages for your pond and pocket.
Read More
When do I stop feeding my fish for winter?
Plan to stop feeding your fish once the water temperature drops below 50 degrees F.
Read More
Can I keep tropical fish and plants in my outdoor pond for winter?
Tropical fish and plants require warmer temperatures, and will need to be moved indoors in order to survive.
Read More
Do I have to prepare hardy aquatic plants for winter?
Most hardy plants naturally fall into a state of dormancy as winter approaches, but before then, there are some maintenance steps you can take to prepare them for winter.
Read More
Should I put my winter aerator & deicer in the deepest part of the pond?
Your fish will be hibernating in the deepest part of your pond to stay warm, so it's better to place equipment shallower in the water so that they don't disturb your fish.
Read More
How do I store my pond pump for winter?
Pond pumps need to be kept submerged in water at all times to prevent the seals in the pump from drying and cracking while in storage.
Read More