Earlier this summer we spent a weekend setting up Mom's new pond, While none of us really know that much about pond's It just dawned on me that soon it would be cold..Next thing you know there will be snow on the ground again.



What Mom want's to know is what she is to do with it for the winter months? Here's a few tid bit's of info that I know about the pond.



-It's been up and running since late Spring.

-It's really only for looks, Not fish. Although there is a family of frog's living in it now.

-It's roughly around 40gal or so, With a good sized waterfall. Maybe about 2-3Ft. Deep.

-They are running a pretty big filter on it. (I think it came with the pond kit.)





What would they have to do to get it ready for the winter? When? All that good stuff. Im clueless about pond's and this is my parent's first pond so they are still learning also. Any suggestion's would be awesome, Mom would appciate it.

If there is no fish in it, then just leave it really.. the frogs will go to the bottom to hibernate (like fish) if its deep enough, or they will go off and find a place.
I'd put the filter on its lowest setting, so its not too lively, just to keep it from freezing.

Thanks, Lucy

So she doesn't have to cover it up or anything like that? The pond isn't that deep really, Im kinda worried about those froggie's. They have alway's had Toads out there but this is the first in year's that we have seen Frog's around, And these guy's are BIG! I wonder if they could be caught and put in the shed in a tank for the winter??

No dont catch the frogs. They will find their own place to hibernate.

Really, Sand's. Are you sure I shoulden't catch those bugger's up? I feel bad for them as it is..

Where will they go out there?

With a 40 gallon pond in Wisconsin I wouldn't run it at all. Take the pump and filter out clean them up so that they are ready for spring and store them in the garage or maybe in the house. You might also want to clean out the pond, unless you are that worried about the frogs. The pond is probably going to freeze solid though and I am not sure if the frogs can come back after being froze solid? Anyone know?

Scott

Thanks Scott Our winter's have been fairly mild these last couple year's, But that sounds like a good idea.

There's no way she could heat it through the winter?

The Frog's I'd like to take out, But don't know much about "Wild Frog's" Im just worried about where they will go come winter?

If the frogs couldnt survive the winter in the wild, they would be extinct by now

LOL, Arghhhh I know Lucy. But I just have a soft spot for them. I want the same 3 to come back next year. I thought if they were in something through the winter they would for sure be back to put in the pond next Spring. Hmmmm, I guess I can leave them alone?!!!

You may have problems feeding them and stuff.. it would confuze them aswell, they would think it was a very long summer. They'll be fine outside

Alright, Alright. I'll leave them alone, I guess.... That's gonna be a tough one for me to do though!!

aahhh what you could dooo.. is research the type of frog and see what sort of things they do through winter, like whether they burry themselves or find a hidyhole or something then make sure you have places like that around the garden.

Good Idea, Lucy I think I'll do that while Im sitting here. I think I can remember what they look like for the most part.

The pond is surronded by a lot of bigger rocks, Then as it get's closer to the pond the rocks are more like river stone. I'll see what I can dig up here.

Thanks, Hun!!

When you find put the type of frog, post it here and I'll do some searching too.. I'm just sitting waiting for the award celebrations

Sound's good, Thank You!! I appriciate it.

Whewww! I have pic's of the froggie's!!! We just got back from our Vacation Sunday night, Now that I have the house all back in order and chores done, I will upload the pic's tonight and post. Hopefully someone will be able to indetify them. I have never seen these type at Mom's before. There are a few BIG sucker's too!

I guess she had planned on a heater for the winter, But she's thinking of maybe taking everything out and winterizing it.

Dells, get on eBay and get a submersible heater...... I think www.doctorsfostersmith.com sells em too. Then get a kitty litter pan (or something of the like) and put plain ol' cat litter (the crushed clay, no scents or ANYthing else) in the tray, then put that in the bottom of the pond. The frogs will burrow under it and hibernate. You don't need to feed them.

If you ever plan on getting fish, try to plan for winter well ahead of time, otherwise it sounds like your pretty well covered lol. Trust me, You dont want three or more fish tanks running in your bedroom durring winter lol (I am building 1 big tank and ditching the rest eventualy)! All the info I have has said a pond should be at least 4 feet to be safe for fish habitation during winter, and even at that most fancy varieties should be housed indoors durring winter. I dont have any experience with pond heaters though. . .

Thanks, Erika And Finny

Mom was going out today actually to do some shopping and was going to check the Petstore's for Heater's, I'll let her know to check E Bay as well.

Should she leave everything else in place for the winter then? Pump and all that stuff? Should she cover it at all?

Here's the pic's of the Frog's she has living in there, There are a lot more than we thought. Last Saturday Jason and I counted 6 of them. 4 of them being pretty good sized. I caught one, But only for a split second. Slippery little bugger's!! LOL.......

They're cuuute

I found this link: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/wifrog/account.htm

in here: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/wifrog/frog.htm

I think it might be the bull frog, the last one.. or the green frog? ..maybe.. It has that green mouth bit.

Yep, They are cute alright!! heheh. See why I want to keep them for pet's now?!! I thought Bull Frog too, But I have never heard them make a sound out there?? Their mouth's just started turning that green about a few weeks ago too. Hmm...

Theyre so cute!! Ive never seen them before. Im sure theyll be fine out there during the winter though, they know where to go!

Aren't they though?? I think Im just gonna let mom know about Erika's idea for them. That should work fine. I just hope they come back next season.

They are sooooo cute!! -ribbit ribbit- eh wait a second froggydella, is your cat chewing on your dog's but in that picture??

bull frogs can eat a goldfish that is small. also nice frogs and your pond

It looks that way, Doesn't it? I think he was just playing. That pic is from when Hurley was a kitten.

There is nothing in the pond but the Frog's, Fishcrazy

i think those frogs look more like this kind Green frog

i think the frogs will come back after the winter. my neihbor has a pond and his freezes over completely and after it thaws out there are always at least 10 frogs there everyday.

Yep, I think they look like the pic also Thanks. It's good knowing that they will more than likely come back. I get such a kick out of them.

What color are their bellies though? That green frog looks like he has a green belly. Bullfrogs have a creamy white underside. Mine are definetly bullfrogs.

What color are their bellies though? That green frog looks like he has a green belly. Bullfrogs have a creamy white underside. Mine are definetly bullfrogs.

Hmm, Well if their still out this weekend I'll take a peak at their bellie's. I want to say that they are mostly Green.

Aren't Bullfrog's pretty noisy?

They are extremely noisy, but mine haven't uttered a peep yet. I'm guessing that yours are about the same age as mine, so maybe they don't start their "calling" until they're mature, or at least a bit older? I haven't been able to find ANYTHING about bullfrogs and the age at which they start their serenading.

I think the Frog's have all gone into hiding now, It got SO cold here and fast too. I hope they found somehwere warm and snuggly to sleep for the Winter.

Are your's gone now Erika?

Mine are still here, although they stay in the water more now. I'm going to get their "winter nest" set up this week sometime. The large one hung out with me for awhile yesterday afternoon and watched me do a water change. She's been handled quite a bit and is very tame. We call her "Big Frog". How original.