Why A Thermometer Is Your #1 Tool For Your Pond

Backyard Oasis • October 14, 2025

Why you need a thermometer for a pond

The temperature of your pond water is what helps you determine how to care for your pond. Depending on the reading you might need to switch to a different type of beneficial bacteria or fish food.


If you don't use a thermometer, you risk using the wrong products thereby wasting them, and your money, because you are not using them as effectively.

What thermometer you need & how to use it

Remember, it's the temperature of your pond water that you need so it isn't enough to use your phone to just check the temperature outside. For your pond water, you are going to want a submersible pond thermometer. (Hint...we sell one here at the Backyard Oasis).


To get an accurate reading you have two choices.


You can utilize the attached nylon string to anchor so that it floats on top of the water in an easily accessible location within your pond so that you can always have the information readily available.


Another solution is to keep it in your pond tool kit and check the water as the seasons change. Just use the cup on the bottom of the thermometer to pick up some of the pond water so you can easily read the thermometer straight on.

How to apply the temperature readings

FOR BENEFICIAL BACTERIA...

Spring & Fall Clean is used to treat your pond weekly when it's temps are between 35°F-55°F. This product helps accelerate the decomposition of debris and sediment during the colder months while replenishing the winter bacteria loss in the spring.


Once your water temps are consistently above 50°F it is important to switch to a more involved weekly maintenance program for your pond. At a minimum, we recommend using Pond Cleaner, Muck Buster, and Algae D-Solve on a weekly basis to create a healthy and beautiful ecosystem.


FOR FISH FOOD...

Sakana Cool Fish Food (also known as Sakana Spring & Fall) is used when water temps are consistently around or below 65°F.


When temps are around 45°F stay tuned into how active your fish are. You will notice your fish become very docile as their metabolism starts to shut down and they prepare to hibernate. At this point, you should only feed the fish when they are active and come up for food.


If your pond water is around or under 40°F it's time to officially stop feeding your fish and let them rest for the winter.  They will then live off their stored body fat until spring feedings start up again the next year when the pond water is again around or at 40°F.


Once water temperatures are again 65°F and above it's time to switch back to the Sakana Warm Fish Food. As the water temperature rises so does the growth rate of the fish, especially if they are getting the quality fish food that they need.


FOR AQUATIC PLANTS...

As Spring turns into Summer a good indicator that you need to start providing more shade through aquatic plants is when the temperature readout is 80° and up. This is when it starts getting too hot for oxygen levels and your fish need more help from plants. The shade in these temps is also important to control algae growth.

What now?

We hope you were able to learn something new in this post and apply it to your water feature! Be sure to check out our other posts that deep dive into how to get your pond winter-ready!

By 7016436703 October 28, 2025
Season Closing Soon Don’t Miss Your Chance to Stock Up & Snag Our Upgraded Fish Sale! Pond season is winding down, and as the air cools off, we’re getting ready to tuck things in for winter. But before we do — there’s still time to visit Backyard Oasis and get what you need for a smooth, stress-free winter season. Our last open day of the year is Saturday, November 8th , so if you’ve been meaning to stop in, now’s the time! We’ve Upgraded Our Fish Sale! To wrap up the season right, we’ve upgraded our fish sale — it’s now Buy ONE, Get ONE FREE on all fish , and yes, that means every size is included! Check out the blog post to see what sizes we still have in stock. If you’ve been eyeing a few new additions for your pond, or want to balance out your fish community before winter, this is your last chance before we close for the year. Don’t Forget Your Winter Pond Essentials Before the frost really sets in, make sure your pond is ready. Stock up on: De-icers Pond nets Fish food for colder temps Water treatments and beneficial bacteria If you’re not sure what you might be missing, we’ve put together a simple Winter Pond Prep Checklist to help you make sure you’re fully covered. 👉 Check out the full checklist here. We’ll reopen for the 2026 pond season on April 7th, 2026 — but that doesn’t mean we disappear during winter! Open by Appointment During the Off-Season After November 8th, our storefront will close, but we’ll still be open by appointment throughout the off-season. If you need supplies, have questions, or run into a pond issue, call and leave a detailed message — we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  And if your pond ever freezes over completely , don’t panic, but do act quickly. You have about 72 hours to get it opened up again to keep your fish safe. We’re always here to help you figure out the best solution. See You in the Spring! We can’t thank you enough for another great season. Every year, we’re reminded how special this community of pond lovers is. Take good care of your ponds (and your fish!) this winter, and we’ll see you again in the spring when everything starts to wake up.
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Are you ready to enhance your backyard pond or water feature with vibrant aquatic life? For a limited time, we’re thrilled to announce a BUY ONE , GET ONE FREE sale on all fish and snails at Backyard Oasis ! Whether you’re looking to stock your garden pond or add some flair to your water features, this is the perfect opportunity to bring home your new aquatic friends. Why Add Aquatic Life to Your Water Features? Incorporating fish, snails, and tadpoles into your pond not only boosts its beauty but also contributes to a healthier ecosystem. Here are a few benefits of having these aquatic residents in your water features: Natural Pest Control Fish like goldfish and koi are natural predators of mosquito larvae, helping to keep unwanted pests at bay. Increased Aesthetic Appeal The colorful swimming patterns of fish create a lively atmosphere, while snails add unique visual interest and charm to your pond. Enhanced Water Quality Fish can help improve water quality by consuming algae and organic waste, while snails excel at eating algae, keeping your pond clean and healthy. Tadpoles also help control mosquito populations, making them a valuable addition. Educational Opportunities Watching and caring for fish, snails, and tadpoles can be a great learning experience for children and adults alike, promoting an appreciation for nature and aquatic ecosystems. Featured Aquatic Life in Our Sale At Backyard Oasis, we carry a variety of high-quality aquatic life perfect for your garden pond, including: Assorted Goldfish (Comet, Sarasa Comet, and Shubunkins): 4" - Limited availability 8" - Limited availability 4" Standard Fin Koi: 4" - Very limited availability 8"-12" - Very limited availability 20"+ - Very Limited availability Butterfly Koi: 4" - Limited availability 20"+ - Very Limited availability Snails: Limited availability Tadpoles: SOLD OUT! (Available quantities last updated 10.28.25.) A note to our regulars This is your last chance to stock up before the season ends! Many customers wait for this final sale to fill their ponds, and we want to emphasize that there will be no further markdowns this year. Fish can sell out quickly, as we've just experienced with someone purchasing every last goldfish in stock. Don’t miss your chance—come by today to grab your favorites and stock up on snails and tadpoles before they're gone! Important Sale Details Discount: Buy 2, Get 1 FREE off all fish, snails, and tadpoles (excluding sold-out varieties) Duration: This offer is available while supplies last, so don’t wait too long! Visit Us: Stop by our store in Flint, Michigan , to explore our selection and find the perfect aquatic life for your water features. Learn More About Your Pond’s Harmony If you're considering adding both goldfish and koi to your pond, you might wonder, can they live in the same environment? Check out our informative post, “ Can Goldfish and Koi Live in the Same Environment? Discover the Harmony in Your Pond ,” to explore how these fish can coexist and create a balanced ecosystem in your pond. Final Thoughts Now is the ideal time to enhance your backyard oasis with beautiful fish, abundant snails, and delightful tadpoles at an unbeatable price. With our 50% off sale, you can create a stunning and vibrant environment that you'll enjoy for years to come. Don’t wait— come visit us today at Backyard Oasis in Flint and dive into the joy of fishkeeping! Happy ponding from your friends at Backyard Oasis!
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