Getting ready for winter.

I finally have a cover!! This past weekend my ever so talented husband constructed a cover over the new pond. It's made of 2x6 lumber and covered with a large clear tarp. We placed 4" sheets of insulation around the pond and then even piled bales of hay around the parameter. Using hay as an insulation is an old trick the old timers used to do to keep uninsulated homes warmer in the winter. Harry made me a little door so I can get into the pond area, but I can also see in there through the window in the garage. Since it is a new pond and this is the first winter, we still brought in most of my favorite fish into the basement pond. Its totally packed down there and we may even have to bring some back out. I just want to see how the pond does in 20 below weather. Will the pipes freeze cause they are out of the ground? I don't know. We'll drain all that we can, but it will be interesting to see if the filter, which is above ground will freeze, or if the cover will protect and prevent that. I have about 5 fish out there as my ginny pigs. Meanwhile inside there are 19 fish in less than 1000 gallons of water, which I know is WAY too many. I'm doing a constant drip through of water and testing daily. The ammonia levels are still there, so thus I may have to put some back outside regardless if I want to or not. Even my drip through is not keeping up. Last weekend we completely drained the larger lower pond and removed the 8-10 large Black koi. I gave away 3 at the pond meeting last night. I do not need 10 black koi in my ponds and really wanted them out before winter. They were just taking up space, eating my expensive food, and adding to the water quality waste. So out they came. They were my 2010 leftover baby fish. Not sure what will happen with the rest, but am thinking I'll be putting them to sleep and they'll be fertilizer in my garden. I'll see maybe I can get rid of a couple more at the next pond meeting. I'm not keeping them through the winter, that's for sure. It's cold this am. Temps in the 40's. Suppose to get a killing frost tonight. I haven't seen ice on the pond yet, but know its just around the corner. Boo hoo...