Water adds a special effect to the landscape and fish are easy to care for pets. A properly functioning water garden takes care of itself naturally throughout the growing season. Submerged plants and scavengers help keep algae populations from getting out of hand. However, water gardens do require late season attention for their survival. Keep falling leaves and twigs out of the pond to prevent injury to the fish.
Prevention is also easier than having to clean the entire pool in the fall.
Netting stretched across the pool is an easy preventative to catch leaves or use a skimmer to remove leaves on a regular basis. This allows the fish to build up additional fat stores for winter survival. If the fish are to remain in the pond throughout the winter, it is necessary to keep an area free of ice throughout the winter. This allows the exchange of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide which are produced from decaying organic matter. The build up of these gases is toxic to fish.