My pond runs all winter, zone 2/3

[callingcolleen1]

I told my hubby about it and he found a way to get an extension cord to basement so we can hear alarm. Got to find that device soon!

 

[Rickybooboo]

I live in Edmonton,Alberta. Can anyone give me tips how to winterize my pond. My pond is a about 7 feet across and the deepest in the middle is 2 feet. I am thinking of putting koi in this pond. Thanks.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Well, Hello and nice to meet another person from Alberta! You should have a deeper pond, at least three feet deep. Then you will definally need to run a 1500 watt heater most of the time, which can be costly to run. Then you should also have a pump and good filter that can run all winter. The pump should be directed at the heater so the the water is circulating and evenly heating the whole pond. you will need to top off the pond all winter, so do not let it run too low. This will mean dragging out the hose and topping the pond up at least once a week, as the heater will cause lots of water to evaporte when temperture is really cold.

You can winter your pond the way I do, but you have to follow instructions carefully as wintering pond can be a lot of work.

If you go back to page one and read this thread, there is information on how I winter my pond. Please feel free to ask lots of questions as I am happy to help and will be posting again this winter on this thread.

Some people use a air bubbler instead of a pump. I prefer a simple pump and pre filter attachment, we can discuss what type of filter that I use if you wish.

I am now back to my Pond in Canada thread, where I have daily updated pictures. That thread is under "Garden Pond Photography" so please check that thread out too

 

[Giese48]

wait for the update...

 

[callingcolleen1]

Hello! Here I am, ponds are doing just great, but I am back posting on my Ponds In Canada thread under "garden pond Photography" I have been posting lots of pictures and regular updates several times a week! Meet me there, at "Ponds in Canada", for the summer, then come fall I will be back posting here....

 

[callingcolleen1]

It is Freeeezing cold here these days!! Tonight will be the coldest night of the year so far, supposed to get to -26C (-18 F), and it is not even WiNTER Yet!

Using the 1250 watt pond heater right now, instead of the 1500 watt heater. I noticed the 1250 watt keeps about half as much water open than the 1500 watt heater. This could be good cause there should be less evaporation in the form of steam when this cold cause the holes are smaller. The heater cord
does not get as hot as it is not drawing as much electricity so that is also good, but will it be able to keep doing a good job if it gets to -26 or colder!

Keeping a close eye out tonight, love those big babies out there under the ice....

 

[addy1]

burrrrrrrrrrrrr we are 54 right now 67 today then turning cold next week, not your cold but cold

 

[callingcolleen1]

Looked out at the pond this morning and it was pretty darn frozen over, just small breather holes half the size of last night, and that does NOT give me a warm and fuzzy feeling!!!

Time for the "Big Guns"!! Out came the power hungry 1500 watt cattle trough heater, and I placed it on the ice and it made a EviL HiSS as it burnt a Hole quickly threw the ice!!!

 

[Tanya]

Oops, thought I was posting in the weather thread! I think all the cold air I was working out in froze my brain a bit.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Breather holes are getting little larger now, since I hooked up the 1500 Watt heater in the wee hours of the very early morning. Days like this, when it is this cold, I jump out of bed, as soon as I wake, Before I even pee, and rush to check the pond!! worked a four hour shift this morning too!!

Currently -11 Fahrenheit, flurries of snow are falling and ice crystals hang in the air. Going down to -19 Fahrenheit tonight, (-28c) and tomorrow a bone chilling -29 Fahrenheit!!! (-34c)

Fish are fast asleep under the ice, visions of sugar bugs dance in their head, as they dream of an "tropical Island" Christmas!

 

[j.w]

My fish actually showed their faces this afternoon when the sun came out but it was still cold as the bajeebers out there.
Good thing you put that bigger heater out there Colleen or your fish would be frozen!

 

[callingcolleen1]

I just let the puppies out to make "yellow snow" and that fat Poppy sniffed the air and would not go outside until I coxed her, have to work soon so she has to make a quick "p" before I go to work!!!

Minus -24 Fahrenheit, (-31 c) stuck my head out the bathroom window, pond flowing well and breather holes are larger now that 1500 watt working nice!!

 

[Tanya]

19F. Lots of powdery snow. The Ozarks are doing a good imitation of Utah right now. I love it!

My pond is starting to freeze over on one end. The pump and aerator are still going. Tonight's projected temperature is 0.

 

[Tanya]

I did it again! I keep on thinking this is the weather thread!

 

[callingcolleen1]

That's ok, no worries! Your pond looks great Tanya!!