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You have several options for your pond by getting your yard ready for the winter. You can winterize your koi pond by ensuring it’s at least 5 feet deep so it doesn’t freeze completely, installing a pond heater or aerator and having it run at all times, and installing a deicer if temperatures are dangerously low for an extended period. You can also choose to shut down your pond for the winter by removing all the wildlife in it and bringing it indoors, cleaning out the filter and pump, and then covering the pond with a tarp.

Every one to three months, you should perform regular fountain maintenance, including draining, cleaning, and rinsing the components of your fountain basin and the pump and tubing to prevent algae and other buildup. Fountain maintenance also includes keeping the appropriate water level and removing debris like leaves, insects, and twigs from the water to avoid clogging the pump. You can also hire a professional landscaper to clean your fountain for around $50 to $150 per month on average.

How many fish can call your pond home depends on the volume of the pond and the fish size. Your pond's filtration system also influences the number of fish that will thrive in a pond. A general rule of thumb is to have 1 inch of fish for every square foot in a pond that's 2 feet deep. Another rule of thumb you can follow is to have one koi fish for every 200 gallons of water or two goldfish for every 200 gallons.

One reason you may want to fill in your pond is the cost of maintenance. Pond cleaning may cost about $1,000 for an annual cleanup, or monthly visits may cost $75 to $100 per visit. If you don’t want to spend that much per year on pond upkeep, you may consider filling in your pond.