Winter Services

Your fish need the following to survive the winter:

• A neutral pH
• Plenty of oxygen
• The healthy exchange of gasses in and out of the water
• The right support systems to make the above possible, including aeration, de-icers, and regular check-ins by Garden State Koi’s expert maintenance team!

pH is the measure of alkalinity or acidity. Different types of fish tolerate different pH levels but, in general, most fish will do better in ponds with a pH near 7.0. When the pH of the water is balanced, aquatic life and plants thrive. When your pond’s water is too acidic, your fish could be in trouble.

Circumstances that can affect your pond’s pH include the following:

• Air pollution, rain, and snow, all of which contain sulfuric and nitric acids, can bring your pond’s pH level to below a neutral 7.0 (making it more acidic).
• Despite the lower water temperatures, bacteria are still decomposing and breaking down debris in the pond. Decomposition of bacteria can lower your pond’s oxygen levels, which in turn can lower your pond’s pH.
• The darkness brought on by heavy snow cover can prompt oxygen-creating algae to die and add other decomposing materials to the pond. Again, this decomposition contributes to lowering your pond’s pH.