How I deal with winter

I want to share with you a shelter that use to help protect my pond in the winter from the harness of our Canadain winter.  As you see from the snow in the pic. I live in the Great White North (Barrie Ontario Canada) we are in a snow belt getting lots of snow from the Great Lakes. A winter cover for the pond needs to be sturdy .

I bought a portable garage unit available at most major hardware stores. These kits come in many sizes made of steel tubing and semi-transparent formed nylon outer shell. Two people can assemble one in a few hours .  Mine is 11'x20'x8' tall which was not long so I used additional pipes and semi-transparent tarp used in construction industry to make up last 4'. I felt that 8' was to tall for my needs so I cut 2' off the leg post.

I would recommend that you make sure you purchase one that you are able to weight down so as not to have the cover blow off before snow holds it solid. Once the snow comes it is best to keep the snow off the top (to let the sun in) and build up around the side to insulate against the cold winds. The water will be kept open by the greenhouse effect and some hardy plants will continue to grow especially String algae. Cold water bacteria is a must as the eco. system is still going. The fish will dine on the algae on the warmer days , but it may need harvesting if the nitrates are to high going into winter . I run the pump year round keeping the water well aerated via the water (side freeze up like the great falls - looks cool.

I put the door at the end where the skimmer and pump is so I can clean the debris filter . My fish stay active and steer up alot of stuff , and moving 2600 gallon an hour of water it filters alot of water. As you know every ones pond is different so monitoring a new system closely the first year is a must.

I have been doing this for 3 years now and refine it every year as my pond changes . I hope this will help with a tip for all. All pics.  and and emails are yours to share on your site . I am sending you what I have pic. with greenhouse in it . As you will note in the one pic. after removing the cover in the spring it also is great place to store plants that might not otherwise service the harsh winter. I will answer any questions from others the best I can .