Selecting Your Seasonal Care Products Below are the vital components for ensuring that your water feature is properly maintained and your fish are cared for over the colder months of the year. Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria (for spring and fall) – see page 56 for more information Beneficial bacteria living in the biological filter and throughout the rocks and gravel in the pond are another key component to achieving crystal clear water and reducing pond maintenance. The bacteria, similar to aquatic plants, consume excess nutrients but are also capable of breaking down organic debris. It is important to the pond’s ecosystem for these maintenance microbes to become established as early in the spring as possible. Aquascape Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria is perfect for both spring and fall because it works at temperatures below 50°F and contains seven pure strains of concentrated beneficial bacteria that go to work quickly, cleaning and balancing your pond. Premium Cold Water Fish Food (for spring and fall) – see page 69 for more information In the colder months of the year, when the water temperature is below 60°F, your fish’s metabolism slows down in preparation for hibernation. It is important during these times to either eliminate fish feeding from your daily regimen or switch to a food that is formulated for low water temperatures. Aquascape Premium Cold Water Fish Food is scientifically formulated to provide quality nutrition to all pond fish, including goldfish and koi. The inclusion of spirulina and wheat germ helps make the food easier to digest in colder water temperatures. AquaForce®—see page 35 for more information In the colder months, it is important to start thinking about protecting your fish by ensuring that there’s a hole open in the ice all winter long. Our AquaForce® pump is a recirculating bubbler pump designed to sit in the pond and oxygenate the water. The flow from the pump will bubble at the surface of the pond and maintain an opening in the ice. By keeping a hole open in the ice, you keep the water oxygenated and allow gases to escape. Pond Aeration—see page 42 for more information Pond eerators can be positioned below the surface of ponds to maintain a hole in surface ice and provide additional oxygenation for the colder seasons.