7 Steps to Protect Your Pond Fish During Extreme Heat

Hot tamales and chili peppers might be a summer favorite for some. Still, warmer temperatures are enough to scare any fish and their owners into some air conditioning. As we feel the upcoming heatwaves, it is essential to keep tabs on your pond environment. During high heat spells, ponds battle heavy evaporation rates, increase photosynthesis, and warmer water temperatures than desired by most fish. Because the earth’s surface temperature will also rise, direct sunlight and indirect sunlight ponds will feel fluctuations in temperatures during high heat.

#1 Provide Shade

Shade your pond from intense sun rays. Reducing sunlight keeps single-cell algae from blooming or turning your pond green. A pond dye or pond netting can be applied over the pond during more extended periods of high heat to lessen photosynthesis. 

#2 Add Aeration

Add Pond Aeration to help stabilize water temperatures. Aeration circulates top surface water with cooler low flowing water. Aeration includes an air compressor on the outside of the pond and an air diffuser located near the pond’s bottom. Air stones or air membrane diffusers allow the diffused air to enter into the pond’s water column, increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the pond. Dissolved oxygen levels increase with aeration, which means your fish will stay active and healthy despite spikes in the sun and temperatures.

#3 Conduct Water Changes

Conduct 10% water changes to balance warmer and cooler water temperatures. Removing and adding water can be done every 24 hours. Avoid sudden temperature drops by adding water within 10 degrees of the current pond water temperature.

#4 Use a Pond Dechlorinator

Condition your water with a pond dechlorinator during water changes. Ensuring the pond water is free of Chlorine will keep the fish’s slime coat thick and healthy.

#5 Cut Back on Fish Feeding

During high heat periods, reduce high protein food intake to your fish. This way, your fish will eat more algae which can be easier to digest and produces less waste.

#6 Be Diligent on Water Maintenance

Add your water treatments! Beneficial bacteria and debris control substances reduce the risk of oxygen depletion in the early morning hours.

#7 Keep Water Levels Up

Protect your pond the best by incorporating an autofill device that will maintain freshwater levels all the time. That way, whether you are at home or on vacation, you can have peace of mind that your pond is at the correct level. In addition, adequate water levels will protect the pond pump, your filtration, and, most importantly, your fish health.

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