Thanks for your reply. I am a total newcomer to ponds. However, the previous
owner left behind equipment (pump, filter, fountain heads, water test kit,
spring/fall food, summer food ...) and told me to start everything running
in the spring as the water warms up.

We have well water so chlorine is not an issue.

The goldfish are comets purchased by the previous homeowner this summer. Do
they have a long life span? How large will they get?

Finally, while I have read info on the Internet are there one or two books
on the subject anyone out there would recommend for a pond novice?

MC


"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 06:38:47 -0500, "aquetong"
wrote:

snipped for brevity
Pennsylvania, preformed pond on deck 125 gallons. two pretty goldfish 6"
long each.
window screens over the pond and "keep a hole in the ice" device in the
pond.

My question: is it necessary to do anything to the water in the pond
during
the winter? I keep checking and the fish are alive (and well?). They hang
out under the de-icer device.

On nice days I do 10-20% water changes in my koi ponds, about once a
month,
in the winter. Is it real necessary in your situation? Probably not.

Really good articles to read a
http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/H2Oquality.html by Norm Meck
in particular "Pond Water Change Outs"

Give us an idea of your ponding level. Did the previous owner fill you in
on the use of dechlor, water test kits, feeding, etc. ? ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website