Oklahoma Pond and Fountain Winter Tips
As January’s chilly temperatures roll into Oklahoma, it’s time to gear up and keep your ponds and fountains in top shape. We’ve put together answers to some of the most common winter questions we get, along with a few essential do’s and don’ts every pond and fountain owner should know.
Do’s
Keep the Pump Running
In most water features—especially ponds—it’s best to keep your pump running during deep freezes. This helps create the essential “hole in the ice,” allowing natural but toxic gases to escape into the atmosphere.
Top Off the Water Levels
Cold weather can cause water loss as ice forms. Make sure your pond or fountain is topped off so your pump has plenty of water to operate. If water levels drop too low, your pump may slow down or stop, risking a full system freeze.
Invest in Backup Solutions for Ice
If your pump slows or stops, a floating pond de-icer or an aerator can keep a hole in the ice. Here’s why we love aerators:
- Position the diffuser (bubble stone) in the top 6 inches of water during winter.
- Aerators keep water moving to prevent freezing and cost less to operate.
- In summer, move the diffuser deeper to promote beneficial bacteria when temperatures rise above 60°F.
Alternatively, a floating de-icer works by keeping a small area free from ice. While it won’t heat your pond, it stays just warm enough to maintain an opening.
Estimated Costs: Aerators ($70–$300) | De-icers ($40–$70)
Clear Your Skimmer and Use a Protective Net
Freezing temperatures in Oklahoma often come with strong winds. Leaves and debris can clog your skimmer or pump, so keep them clear and cover your pond with a net for added protection.
Be Prepared with Extension Cords
Keep extra outdoor-rated extension cords handy in case you need to run power to your pond from your house or garage. This small preparation can be a lifesaver during unexpected equipment issues.
Call Us if You Have Any Concerns
Our team is fully operational year-round. If you have any concerns or need a visit from one of our techs, just give us a call: 405-276-5706.
Don’ts
Don’t Bang on the Ice
Breaking ice manually can damage your pond’s structure and unnecessarily stress your fish.
Don’t Use Boiling Water
Pouring boiling water on ice is dangerous and only provides a temporary fix. We’ve seen injuries from slips and burns, so it’s not worth the risk.
Don’t Feed Your Fish
By this point in winter, your fish should already be fasting. Avoid feeding them, as their metabolism has slowed, and uneaten food can harm water quality.
Don’t Turn Your Pump Off Without a Plan
If you decide to turn your pond or water feature pump off, make sure that you disconnect the pump and/or check-valve so that there is very little standing water in the pipes. The water can quickly freeze and may take several days above freezing to thaw back out.
Don’t Panic—Have a Backup Plan
During freezing temperatures, your fish naturally gravitate to their favorite spot—the bottom of the pond—where they’re safest. Even if your pump slows down or stops temporarily, there’s usually enough oxygen for them to survive, and it can take several days for harmful gases to build up to unsafe levels.
By following these simple tips, you’ll help your pond and fountain thrive even in Oklahoma’s coldest weather. Got questions or need supplies? Reach out to us—we’re here to help!
Stay warm,
The Oklahoma Ponds Team
Four Fundamentals Of Pond Health
We wish we could tell you that pond care is as simple as buying a filter with the best reviews. But in reality, there’s much more to having a beautiful, healthy garden pond. That’s why it’s important to learn about the FOUR FUNDAMENTALS OF POND HEALTH: Filtration, Bacteria, Plants & Fish, and Water Treatments.
#1. Water Filtration
Keeping Your Water Clean and Safe!
We at Oklahoma Ponds want you to enjoy a stunning, healthy pond for years to come. That all starts with an effective biofiltration system. Think of your filtration system as the “stomach” of your pond: digesting all the muck, gunk, and toxins in your water, making it livable for fish and plants.
The biofilter has two functions. First, it filters out and captures small particles in the water. Second, the media inside your filter is host to billions of beneficial bacteria.
These bacteria work together to eliminate and convert toxins produced by fish, birds, grass clippings, dead algae, decaying pond plants, and more. Each different substrate in your filter is preferred by different strains of bacteria. Speaking of bacteria…
Request Your Pond Consultation
Here's What Our Customers Say...
We have been using Oklahoma Ponds for about 6 years now for servicing both our koi pond and waterfall for our pool. We have always received exemplary service! It’s refreshing to know that there are service companies that still place an importance on customer service! Thank you Oklahoma Ponds!
I work for a company in Moore, Oklahoma, and we have a koi pond (big, beautiful one out front for everyone to look at). The pond company that we used for the last 2+ years never seemed to be able to keep it clean, despite them coming out to service it (which does cost, yes), each week and also do clean outs every several month.The pond was always discolored; always was dirty and after our pond was cleaned recently by them, it seems 17 baby fish (one was half goldfish/half koi) were mysteriously gone and we only had the original fish we had. Strange, right? I called this company on the off chance that they were good (because I had only googled/looked around for other companies). They are not only good, they are the absolute BEST -hands down!!! They have literally only been to our pond site twice now and after the very FIRST visit (not joking), our pond was crystal clear!!! It's been AMAZING!! We are so happy, our fish are so happy (lol but true) and people that come to our office to do business just love admiring the pond and fish and we are finally happy to have that back again!! OKLAHOMA PONDS is number #1 in our book for sure!! - Happy to leave my name and my workplace just so people know this is legit and THE PLACE to call!! I would never call anyone else now! Melody Brown, Insurance Agent, Clear View Insurance Services, Moore, OK
We hired Jay at Oklahoma Ponds to build our Koi pond, and he did an absolutely fantastic job. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about what he does. The craftsmanship and attention to detail really show—our pond turned out beautifully and has quickly become a favorite feature of our property. Jay was also great to work with throughout the process, always responsive and helpful in answering our questions. Highly recommend him if you’re looking for a high-quality, expertly built pond.
As a new pond owner, I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to cleaning and maintaining a koi pond—but hiring Oklahoma Ponds was the best decision I could’ve made. Colby did an absolutely amazing job and worked tirelessly from start to finish, taking the time to thoroughly clean every part of the pond. What really stood out was his knowledge and willingness to help. Cobly patiently answered all our questions and offered practical, thoughtful suggestions to improve the overall health of the pond and our koi. It’s clear he genuinely cares about the work he does and the well-being of the fish. Our pond looks better than ever, and we feel much more confident as new pond owners. Highly recommend his services to anyone looking for quality work and expert advice!
They will have my business for as long as I have a koi pond. I called them in the morning and they were at my house within 24 hours. Fixed the problem i had with my pond. They were the friendliest and most knowledgeable and was able to educate me on things i need to know as a first time koi pond owner.
Jay and his crew did a very professional and timely job with installation of the koi pond. The staff are friendly and responsive. I am very pleased with the finished project.
Great job. I had a pond with lots of sludge and couldn't see the bottom. The pond took a few days to clear up after the clean up and a few extra chemicals. It was well worth the money and my giant Koi are much happier with their new home. They also did well to clean up afterwards. Thanks.
We were looking to purchase home with Koi pond. Knew zero about Koi or ponds. Colby clearly loves what he does and is extremely knowledgeable. I learned so much in the hour we were inspecting the pond. Highly recommend!
