Good morning to those of us in the south watching the weather!

[Lisak1]

A big lesson for those not accustomed to a frozen pond - when you see that cold snap coming, make sure the pond is full full full. We keep a short hose in the basement for this very reason. The ice "consumes" a lot more water than you would expect and can leave your pump running dry if you aren't prepared.

 

[jdale]

Also, even if the pond is deep, if you have a skimmer, it's probably less so. The extra water helps keep that from getting blocked up by ice.

Personally, my pond usually gets pretty full from autumn rain and winter snow, so I don't have to actually add anything.

 

[Pablo]

A big lesson for those not accustomed to a frozen pond - when you see that cold snap coming, make sure the pond is full full full. We keep a short hose in the basement for this very reason. The ice "consumes" a lot more water than you would expect and can leave your pump running dry if you aren't prepared.

Yep make sure you can use your garden hose to fill up the pond. I did not properly put away my garden hose and I had some choice words last night lol.

 

[Pablo]

I know you can take a big pot of hot water and hold it on the ice and let a hole open up but then I have heard after doing that you can place a rubber ball filled w/air and place it on the hole and it will allow the hole to stay open.

Found this info online and I've never had the need to try it so don't know if it really works or not:

Why The Tennis Ball Trick Works
A trick that has been used for centuries involves floating a rubber ball, ping pong ball, tennis ball or inflatable ball onto the water surface, depending on the size of the pond and leaving it, checking each day as the temperature drops.
You can also use a bottle filled with a saltwater solution that floats on the water.
The reason this works is that when the ball bobs and floats on the water, it creates little waves and motions in the water that stop ice from forming, and it will accentuate any movement of the water or anything underwater, helping to keep ice from developing.
The size of the ball you need depends on the size of the pond, with most garden ponds needing a tennis ball, and any larger body of water needing a football or larger-sized ball to be effective.
This, along with careful maintenance of air pumps and other pond tools can keep your pond life safe this winter.

The pan trick worked, but took a long time. The ice ended up being 9 inches deep, was not expecting it to be that deep (3 inches more and we meet FAA guidelines to have planes take off and land lol).

 

[Mmathis]

@Lisak1 Thank you so much for the “adding water” suggestion! There is a “pond group” on FB that, well, let’s just say that the only reason I stay in the group…..is to occasionally offer helpful suggestions (and to get my “eye roll” fix ). Someone posted a pic of their pond, frozen for months, and was curious if their fish could still be alive. One person refuted the “pocket of air” theory, saying that with the ice frozen solid, there was no space for air between the ice and the water……duh! Where did they think the ice came from in the first place! I counter-refuted. Let the battle begin!

 

[sissy]

View attachment 166851

HI ADDY HOW ARE YOU

 

[sissy]

I know you can take a big pot of hot water and hold it on the ice and let a hole open up but then I have heard after doing that you can place a rubber ball filled w/air and place it on the hole and it will allow the hole to stay open.

Found this info online and I've never had the need to try it so don't know if it really works or not:

Why The Tennis Ball Trick Works
A trick that has been used for centuries involves floating a rubber ball, ping pong ball, tennis ball or inflatable ball onto the water surface, depending on the size of the pond and leaving it, checking each day as the temperature drops.
You can also use a bottle filled with a saltwater solution that floats on the water.
The reason this works is that when the ball bobs and floats on the water, it creates little waves and motions in the water that stop ice from forming, and it will accentuate any movement of the water or anything underwater, helping to keep ice from developing.
The size of the ball you need depends on the size of the pond, with most garden ponds needing a tennis ball, and any larger body of water needing a football or larger-sized ball to be effective.
This, along with careful maintenance of air pumps and other pond tools can keep your pond life safe this winter.

hi jw been a long couple of years since i have been on . How have you been . I keep up with colleen in canada on youtube

 

[sissy]

pond last week and had to get a new aerator and could not believe how quite it is and it came with weighted hoses and 2 big air stones off ebay 128 dollars for everything with free shipping and weighed over 22 lbs Way less noise than the laguna . Hate that it was made in china but seems none are made in america anymore . It said low noise well I hear no noise

 

[Lisak1]

@Lisak1 Thank you so much for the “adding water” suggestion! There is a “pond group” on FB that, well, let’s just say that the only reason I stay in the group…..is to occasionally offer helpful suggestions (and to get my “eye roll” fix ). Someone posted a pic of their pond, frozen for months, and was curious if their fish could still be alive. One person refuted the “pocket of air” theory, saying that with the ice frozen solid, there was no space for air between the ice and the water……duh! Where did they think the ice came from in the first place! I counter-refuted. Let the battle begin!

People have strange ideas. They need to get themselves an underwater camera! I can see my aerator bubbling away and from under the ice, you'd think there was a hole IN the ice. Nope. Just bubbling into the space between the ice and the top of the pond water. Fish are alive and well. Just waiting for spring, like the rest of us!

 

[j.w]

Wow good to see you here again @sissy ! I see you are still ponding and finding all the good deals. I watch Colleen on youtube and also have her on Facebook which I know you don't do. Hope all is well w/you and your family and hope you stick around here.
How are the fish and hope no dog problems anymore. It's so cold here now I can't stand getting out of bed!

 

[addy1]

HI ADDY HOW ARE YOU

Doing ok sissy. Upright and breathing it is a good day!

 

[sissy]

Wow good to see you here again @sissy ! I see you are still ponding and finding all the good deals. I watch Colleen on youtube and also have her on Facebook which I know you don't do. Hope all is well w/you and your family and hope you stick around here.
How are the fish and hope no dog problems anymore. It's so cold here now I can't stand getting out of bed!

always dog problems with the dog next door . The dog tried to bite the guy this[ast fall that delivered the tree mulcher i rent from his company . He is doing his business under my front porch and it stinks . so will be putting up a fence under the porch soon . I bought 100 feet of it at lowes and will wire staple it to the 6x6's . By the way HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

 

[sissy]

Happy Valentines day to everyone . Been a long couple of years for hubby and I . He had heart surgery again and 3 hernia surgeries . Then had to have a new roof put n the house and both of my sister got sick and then they both retired so I took them out to lunch . All the work around here keeps me busy . Not sure how Addy and JW and some of you do it all the time . I had 30 ton of gravel delivered yesterday and my wheelbarrow and I have been busy again spreading it

 

[sissy]

out to work again after a coffee break .