Pond in the foothills

[CountryEscape]

I think I tried a hose clamp, but the air line hose is so rigid, it didn't hold it on any better, so removed it. Maybe if I try again when it's warm outside, I'll have better luck. I usually store it not connected, and when I put it together, the weather is usually cold.

 

[callingcolleen1]

I always fret and worry when weather is really cold, and check the ponds "morning, noon and night". Last week when the wind chill was down to minus 40, I check the level of my bottom pond constantly, cause when the ice grows very thick in the top two ponds, the water level in my bottom pond can drop quite a bit, as water is displaced and turned to thick ice on the top ponds. Good thing too, cause one night the level was falling below the filter and then the pump started slow big time and then I had close to a foot of ice on thatpond. So then I ran a hose out of bathroom window and topped off the bottom pond so the filter would have more water, and then the pump could flow and exchange more water with the warm upper ponds and melt that massive ice berg. Life is a struggle when you winter ponds in the minus 40 temps.

 

[CountryEscape]

But you do a wonderful job taking care of them, Colleen, and keeping us up on your tricks! I'm contemplating connecting my ponds this summer, but still thinking that I also like that if one pond has a huge problem, I would still have the second pond to go to in case of emergency. So, still thinking on that ....

 

[sissy]

Yeh thinking you are better with 2 ponds unless there is a way to keep what ever is happening in 1 to not go into pond 2 .I have been thinking about all the if's and when's with the new pond .Trying to avoid any problems .

 

[callingcolleen1]

No problem with the top two ponds and my biggest fish are up in those ponds cause the water is freshest and flows good the way I have it. I just have to keep an eye on the bottom pond and make sure it is always topped up. The bottom pond should be ideally way bigger than the top ponds but it is about the same size, and it is pumping water to middle pond, which pumps water to top pond. I could just have one pump to the top and free flow down, but I have two big filters to catch the stuff coming out of the top pond, and another big filter in the bottom pond. If I had more room back there I would have made the bottom pond bigger. I got that liner a few years ago for free from my friend, but someday I will dig it deeper. The filters I use actually work really good for winter, and they can run for months before they need to be cleaned, so that it good. Too cold for above ground filters, I think they lose too much pressure once the water goes into the box, and then freezes, where as a hose does not lose pressure cause the hose is small, and if the filter is below the ice it will not freeze either. Except last week the water level dropped in bottom pond and then half of that filter froze.

CE the beauty of having connecting ponds is that the tops ponds will deice sooner, and you still will have separate ponds, just one body of water moving between all ponds, and then your smaller goldfish pond will stay fresher too. Although the smaller pond will have to be the top pond to work good. Then some of the goldfish might escape down the stream into the koi pond....

 

[addy1]

I think I tried a hose clamp, but the air line hose is so rigid, it didn't hold it on any better, so removed it. Maybe if I try again when it's warm outside, I'll have better luck. I usually store it not connected, and when I put it together, the weather is usually cold.

The air hose I am using is the black irrigation stuff, thin walled 3/4 inch. It clamps on real nicely.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Mitch! Long time no hear from you. Hold on just a little bit longer, spring is on the way this weekend! You should be up above freezing this weekend, and sun should be out too!

 

[MitchM]

I'm still here, Colleen!

Nothing new with my ice cube of a pond and I've run out of jokes.
I see +11C/+52F coming this weekend from jw's part of the world, so definitely looking forward to that!

.

 

[callingcolleen1]

look at the bright side, you can shovel the snow off the pond and go skating! The other day the ponds were froze so hard that the dogs were walking across the ponds!!

 

[j.w]

Glad to send some warmth your way but hope all the moisture we are having doesn't come along w/ it or you will be swimming in it

 

[MitchM]

What a gorgeous day today!
I took the puppies out for a walk and took some pictures.
I also wanted to show everyone how many of us can call ourselves neighbours.

This is a shot of puppies (Mykka and Bear) on our dead end road today. The snowbanks further along the road are about 4 - 5 feet high. The snowplow came by today which is handy.
This is a shot looking north.

A natural gas pipeline crosses our property and heads down to the US.
This is our pipeline right of way, looking east. From this fence to the other side of our property is 1/2 mile.

This pipeline probably crosses a few of our GPF member states.
Are any of you aware of it's existence?
Here is the distribution map:

We have so much natural gas up here it's not funny. (just ask my wife!....)

This is a picture of our driveway on the way back home.
We got about 4 inches of snow today.

The pond breathers have almost been overtaken by the ice and snow.
I'm pretty sure the snow will be receding as of this weekend.........phew!

.

 

[addy1]

That is a bunch of snow! I like those pond breathers, might just try them next year

 

[MitchM]

addy if the fish survive this harsh winter, it's gonig to be pond breathers from now on.
If they don't, I'm going to try to analyze why not.

I'm pretty impressed that the pond breathers never stopped working.

 

[addy1]

That is darn impressive esp with your sucky weather.

 

[MitchM]

eh, it's normal.

You guys get better healthcare and we'll move to the states! lol