Empty Preformed Pond for Winter?

Hi,

Winter is fast approaching and water will start to freeze within the next month or so. I got a used preformed pond (46Lx40Wx18D) which I managed to put into the ground last weekend just before the cooler and rain weather came. The pond will simply be for be beneficial insects and animal with aquatic plants but I do not plan on putting any fish in it. The pond has been full dug into the ground with some rocks around the perimeter.

My question is do I need to empty the pond for the winter or should the plastic form hold up to the freezing without cracking?

Thanks,
Kris

I have had a preformed plastic pond for 15 years, and I never empty it. The only thing I do is put a recirculating pump in it in the summer, to keep the water clear (it goes through a biofilter), and to discourage mosquitoes. There is a TON of life in it, I have no idea how all those creatures got there.

The ice won't break your pond - it is plastic, after all!

Thanks for the response. That is what I figured since my pond (mickey mouse kiddie pool) I put in more then 15 years ago at my parents cottage is still in one piece. The only concern I had was the kiddie pool plastic was a little thicker to it could hold its shade while full of water on the grass.

I will report in the spring if the ice that has started to form on the pond does any damage.

Kris

I have had one for over 15 Years and never empty it, I take the filter out andi move the fish inside for the winter, If I can I remove the frogs and move them to a bigger pond.

Just wanted to update stating that the pond survived the cold Canadian winter without any cracks or leak.

Thxs for the update, figured it would, mine made it also.

If I put a pond like this in my backyard, do I have to circulate the water? Do I have to filter it? What happens if I don't? I've got rainbarrels now, but they only hold so much, and I want to make the water that falls on my house stick around for a little while longer on my little 1/16th-acre proto-permaculture-suburban plot.

I know if I shut the water filter/water fall off it gets stagnate fairly quickly.

Hello! Glad you had this conversation and I was able to locate it on the web VERY helpful to me!

I collect oyster and mussel shells to use as a water filter medium.
I hols them is a stainless steel cutlery holder or similar I buy from an opp shop or find