Winter Pond Temps

[Dave 54]

Ours still has its covers on but and the heater was switched off days ago but we are steady at 16.4c with an outside air temperature tonight of 6 c
Hopefully it'll still be around the 15c mark in the morning .

rgrds

Dave

 

[MitchM]

Location: Water Valley, Alberta
Pond Description: approx 29' X 32', 3' - 4' plant shelves
Style:
Approx. gallons/liter: 6000 gallons
Max depth: 5'
General Notes: 6 - 8" goldfish in there for this winter, minimal algae, tree leaves have not fallen yet. Last winter had 6 months of ice cover, koi did not survive, goldfish did. No koi this year. Have stopped feeding the fish for the year. Trying a different type of heater, recirculating pump hanging submerged from floating platform with heated tube to expose recirculated pond water to the air. Product is called a "Pond Breather".

Date:October 9
Time: 6:30 PM
Outside air temp: 39F/4C
Surface pond temp: 46F/7C
Bottom pond temp: 46F/7C

 

[waynefrcan]

Hey Mitch, if that's the same unit I used 2 years ago it isn't enough to oxygenate your pond. You will need 2 maybe 3 for 6,000 gals. What is your water surface measurement? What model is yours?

 

[callingcolleen1]

Pond is getting ice cold, everything freezing pretty hard now that half the leaves have fallen from the trees. I need to go outside on my next day off and swtich some of the big pumps around and slow the water flow down a bit, to simulate a natural reduced flow of water like in the river, and that will keep the fish happy for another winter, that and the big heater....

No ice on ponds yet.

 

[MitchM]

Hey Mitch, if that's the same unit I used 2 years ago it isn't enough to oxygenate your pond. You will need 2 maybe 3 for 6,000 gals. What is your water surface measurement? What model is yours?

Hi Wayne,

I don't know the model number, I threw out the box. My pond is about 29 x 31, 5' deep with a 3' plant shelf.
I put a picture of it on my build thread...https://www.gardenpondforum.com/topic/10656-pond-in-the-foothills/page-16

 

[waynefrcan]

Yes thats the one I have. I think it only covers 250 sq ft surface area if I remember correctly. Also at -20 C or -25C [can't remember exactly] and colder the whole thing freezes solid.

IMO another product that doesn't hold up in our zone. Check it out some more, maybe contact the manufacturer.

If you still will go with them and If you or friends/relatives come to Edmonton, I'll give you mine, that will give you 2 at least. It works good, just that I switched to a better air pump system.

 

[MitchM]

Thanks for the offer, Wayne.

 

[waynefrcan]

Sorry to bring you bad info on them. I was sold on them also when told how great they were. But in this case I'm not just a talking head, I put it through the paces. I'm sure it will work up to the -20's but you will need more then one.

I switched to an air pump with micro bubble air stone and it did it's job all winter. And a bottom heater. Only had some goldfish deaths, but all the koi made it.

 

[MitchM]

If this thing works down to -20C, I'll be happy. Constant temperatures below -20C rarely last for more than a couple of weeks.
I'll get a second one for backup in case the first one clogs or otherwise fails.
I was thinking of getting a small shelter for it, for when the wind blows and there's a greater chance of it freezing over.

 

[waynefrcan]

How does free shipping and free pump to your door sound? SAve you about $70 beans.

I was going to put it on kijiji for $25 bucks, but it's yours if you want it.

A shelter sounds brilliant!!

 

[MitchM]

How does free shipping and free pump to your door sound? SAve you about $70 beans.

...

Like an offer I can't refuse? :beerchug:

I'll send you my details.

 

[addy1]

How does free shipping and free pump to your door sound? SAve you about $70 beans.

I was going to put it on kijiji for $25 bucks, but it's yours if you want it.

A shelter sounds brilliant!!

How darn nice of you!

 

[waynefrcan]

Ok, I'll pond test it today, and send it out Monday. I think for your area this year freeze up is in November?

Mitch is only 4 hours drive from me so postage is not bad even at 5lbs. :claphands:

No biggy addy on my part. You guys have helped me out lots and saved me some money. For sure, one is Brandon whom guided me through the electrical hookups last year. No electrician required, that saved me $200 +.

 

[waynefrcan]

Pond tested and working great. That's more then I can say for the K & H heater that stopped working after 2 years.

Got your info and will ship it Monday.

 

[MitchM]

... I think for your area this year freeze up is in November?

.....

Yep, will probably happen in the next couple of weeks. The pond has already had a couple of ice covered mornings.
Thanks again!