How do I prepare my fish pond's filtration system for the winter months?

It's important to first determine what kind of filtration system your fish pond is currently using. 
The type of filtration system your fish pond currently has will determine the steps that need to be taken to prepare your fish and koi pond for the winter months. 

1. Is it a skimmer/biofall filtration system with the pump located in the skimmer?

2. Is it a pressure filter system with an external pump (pump outside the water)? 

---

1.Skimmer/Biofall Filtration Winterization

This type of filtration is the easiest filtrations system to prepare for the winter months.  The steps to preparing this fish pond filtration system for the winter months are as follows:

1. Unplug and Disconnect pump from plumbing system in skimmer.  During this time you will also be removing the skimmer net, skimmer pad, and possibly a skimmer pad brace.  Rinse these items off to be stored indoors during the winter months.  
2. Pull pump from the skimmer and also rinse for storage indoors.  We recommend storing the pump in a bucket of water to prevent the seals from drying out.   Many pumps located in the skimmer will also have a check valve attached to them.  You want to make sure the check valve is stored with the pump to prevent it from cracking during the winter.  
3. Final Step.  After you disconnect the the pump all the or most of the water from the biofalls should have drained out.  At this time you want to remove the filter pads and filter pad brace from the biofalls, rinse these items to store inside.  
4. With the use of a shop vac vacuums the remaining water from the biofall.  
5. With the use of a shop vac you can now blow out the plumbing line for the biofall to the skimmer.  This will remove any water stuck in the lines.  Once done blowing out the lines, cap the pipe inlet in the biofall with a threaded plug.  These sizes will vary depending on the biofall you fish pond has.  
6. Store all items mentioned above indoors and you're filtration system is now winterized.  
7. You're DONE! 

---

2. Pressure Filter Filtration Winterization 

Pressure filter filtration systems can be a bit tricky as pressure filters come in many shapes and sizes and can have a maze of pipes attached to them that need to be addressed.  We will walk you through a simple set up of a pressure filter system with an external pump.  Many of these systems may have additional items such as a UV light plumbed within the system that also needs to removed drained and stored indoors for the winter months to prevent cracking.  

1. Unplug and Disconnect pump.  Your external pump should contain unions on the inlet and outlet side allowing you to remove the pump by unscrewing these unions.  Once your external pump is disconnected from the plumbing lines the pump basket lid should be removed, the basket emptied and the pump drained.  Some pumps also have one or two plugs around the housing.  If your pump has these, they should be removed.  Then put the basket back in the housing, the plugs in the basket, then put the lid back on the basket.  Your pump is now ready to be stored indoors for the winter.  
2. Now we need to winterize the filter.  All of these are different and the sizes can range from small to very large.  The premise is the same on all of them.  You need to first disconnect the filter from the plumbing system.  After disconnecting the filter, all of the water needs to be drained from the filter.  Smaller filters like the one pictured above can be turned over and all the water will drain from the inlets and outlets.  Larger pressure filters will have a drain plug and a large handle on the top of the filter.  Locate the drain plug and remove it.  Water should begin to slowly come out of the plug area.  Once this is done move the handle on top of the filter to winterize.  This should allow the water to begin to drain a bit faster.  (If water is not coming out of the drain plug area, you will need to remove the top of the filter and unclog this drain plug or use a shop vac to remove the water.   This does happen sometimes and it's a huge... you know what!).  
3. For smaller filters like to one pictured above, once the water is drained your filter is ready to be stored indoors for the winter.   Larger filters are just too big and bulky to move indoors.  Once the water is drained we recommend covering your filter with a tarp or a large outdoor furniture cover for the winter months.  
4. Have a UV Light?  The light needs to be disconnected from plumbing system, drained, and stored indoors for the winter.  If you leave this outside the bulb, sleeve, and UV body could and most likely will crack.  
5. Last but certainly not least, the plumbing system needs to be blown out.  Make sure all the plumbing is clear of water and plugged if necessary to prevent the pipes form cracking during the winter freeze!  
6. You're Done!  

---

While there are many additional steps to preparing you're entire fish pond for the winter months these steps should be taken to prepare your fish and koi pond's filtration system for the winter months.  

Need help preparing your fish or koi pond for the winter months?  If you live in the Morris County, Hunterdon County, or Somerset County NJ and would like some help just click here.  We'd be glad to help

Related Links:

• Can I run my waterfall and pond all winter in New Jersey?

• When is the right time to stop feeding my pond fish or koi in New Jersey?

• Aerator vs. Pond Deicer- Which one do I use to keep a hole in my fish pond for the winter in New Jersey?
• Will your pond be ready for the Fall and Winter?​

---

A Frog’s Dream Aquatic Services is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Morris County New Jersey (NJ) Hunterdon County New Jersey (NJ) Somerset County (NJ) and Warren County (NJ). Fish and Koi Pond Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and  Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily inspiration.  Receive #TheWeeklyRibbit for weekly water feature tips and a fun video.