Winterizing in S.D.

[addy1]

I just run a aerator to keep a hole open. No way to cover my pond(s) But we don't drop into the real low temps, like the further north people do. Lowest I have seen since living here was a brief -8

 

[Dave 54]

Koi believe it or not are not suited for our types of winter Tula the Japanese have a cold sharp but short winter where as we have a cold long period as such most koi keepers cover and heattheir ponds.
The Japanese breeders take all their fish indoors undercover which we cant do.
So the next best thing is to cover the pond to keep the worst of the winter weather at bay.
Policarbonate does allow for light going through to the pond and acts like double glazing so that the heat doesnt escape.
Weve employed this method since we went outdoors and it works a treat we dont make a tent style covering just lay it flat, but you have to be prepared to sweep the snow off.
Policarbonate is expensive so its better to buy it second hand from a re-cycling centre

rgrds

Dave

 

[Tula]

I have a pond man coming to our house this Friday to discuss filtration and removing gravel from my pond. I will discuss the idea of covering the pond with him. I can see where you'd have to sweep snow off the pond. We get some heavy rains in the late autumn ....how do you keep the plastic from laying on top of the pond when it has large puddle of water on it? Kim

 

[Outlaw]

I like the idea of using multiple layers of polycarbinate over the pond to help 'insulate' / warm the pond! I will be trying that along with a submersible stock tank heater used by farmers / ranchers to keep cattle water tanks from freezing in the winter months up here.

Tula...I plan to lay 2x4's across the top of the pond to span it & then lay the polycarbinate sheeting on the 2x4's. That way they won't sag under the weight of the snow.

A friend of mine has a slightly larger pond that utilizes a stock tank heater with no freezing issues. I think the 'submersible pond heater' I bought last year was designed for slightly warmer climates. Said it would heat up to 500 gallons...yeah right, maybe in the south! Within 2 weeks it was frozen in a block of ice WHILE it was 'heating' supposedly! :dunno:

 

[dieselplower]

I insulate mine with ice. Works good!