Winter Pond Temps

[MitchM]

Received the pump yesterday, Wayne.
Hopefully the ice will clear off a bit so I can get it in before the cold temperatures that are coming this weekend.
:beerchug:

 

[waynefrcan]

GReat!!! Sry again about my delay in shipping.

What ice? It's perfect here!

You know for a shelter, a 5gal pal upside down would work with some pink insulation or old sheets etc. Just cut some air holes in the side.

 

[MitchM]

We've had 100% ice cover on the pond since last weekend.
I think we're probably more exposed to the elements than you are in the city, plus we're on top of a hill.

 

[waynefrcan]

It can't be to thick. Just get it in somewhere.

 

[addy1]

our pond went from 44 back up to 58, not freezing up soon

 

[MitchM]

It can't be to thick. Just get it in somewhere.

I was surprised, the ice is still an inch thick today.
I'm using the cattle heater to open up a hole. They're about the same size.

 

[waynefrcan]

I just checked th google map. Are you in the Rocky mountains or just outside them? I though your location was south of Calgary, sorry.

 

[MitchM]

About 1-1/2 hours northwest of Calgary. In the foothills, just on the northeast edge of the Waiporous creek wilderness area.

 

[waynefrcan]

Ya, we still have no ice. Hope you get it in. My apologies again for the 4 day delay in shipping. I spent time cleaning it and should have just sent it as is. I did run it through soap and water inside the house and tube cleaning brushes to get the stuff out of the plastic tube and several rinses to make sure no traces of my pond were on it.

 

[MitchM]

No worries, I got it installed just in time.
I'm going to keep it running all winter alongside mine. I think if it had 8" of ice in it, the little heat strip wouldn't be strong enough to open it up to run properly.
The cord you see should melt it's way through through the ice eventually.

Here they are this morning:

 

[callingcolleen1]

I thought things were bad down here Mitch, I see you have full blown winter going on up there in the Rockies! At least you have a beautiful view up there and lots of very fresh air too!

 

[waynefrcan]

Good! When the ice is safe, get some wire and tighten up the heat strip on the clear plastic piece. Looks like it's coming away a little compared to the other. As you can tell by now it's a good concept, but not good enough for harsh climates.

One other thing, how thick does your ice get without a heater? These things only will work up to 15 " of ice. Once the white ball and pump get frozen in that's it. Lol.

 

[MitchM]

Yeah, I'll check on them regularly when it's safe.
I've only really seen pond ice get to maybe 10" - 12" thick. This is only my second winter with this pond though.
We have a nartural 1 acre pond on another part of our property.

 

[addy1]

burrrrrrrrrrr you guys are cold up there. We are still bouncing up into the 60's even at times the 70's.

 

[MitchM]

Maybe this weather has driven away the hunters at the end of the driveway.
I might go check it out!....... h34r: