Should I Run My Pump & Filter During The Winter?

This is a question that we are frequently asked at this time of year, the answer is very dependent on how severe a winter you experience. As a general guideline it is better to keep filtration running during the winter months. However, if you are in any doubt, switch the system off, clean and drain. The advantage of keeping your system running is that it is able to react to the change of temperature with the fish, and also, moving water freezes at a lower temperature. The disadvantage is that circulating the water through your system, exposes the pond to the extreme temperature changes, which occur in the air. To minimise the impact of this on the pond, any waterfall or fountain should be switched off or bypassed, the pump should be moved closer to the water that is returning to the pond and should be lifted up into the top 1/3rd of the pond. Should you choose to switch your system off, then you should wait until two weeks after the fish have stopped feeding before doing so. Do not feed them whilst the system is off. Most makes of filter pumps can be left in situ. The filter should be cleaned and drained. The Ultra Violet should be drained and removed and stored indoors. Removing electrical equipment can be tricky, particularly if the cable is routed through conduit, a simple solution to this is the Waterproof Cable Connector we offer. This is provided with a blanking cap and as such the cable can be cut at a conveinet location the connector wired in and the cap closed.