Living where I do, "cold" is not usually a problem, it's the heat. However,
with all the Arctic Blasts we've been hit with recently, my pond water temps
have been bouncing all over the place (from the 60's to a low of 45,
currently 52). The fish have NOT been fed for over 3 weeks, but are still
gobbling the algae on the sides. My biobugs have quit. I'm supporting my
pond on Amquel. I just purchased two 500W submersible heaters for the sump
side of my skimmer box, which I hope will heat the water enough to wake up
the biobugs (the water goes from the sump to an Ultima II to my biofalls,
back to the pond). I don't expect it to heat the pond (except marginally),
but I hope with 1000W in about 20 gals. will heat the water enough to
encourage the biobugs (which will be in direct contact with the heated
water) to wake up.

How will I know when they're awake again? Should I look for a nitrIte spike,
like you do with new ponds? Or will I just not have to use the Amquel so
often? I didn't have to worry about this last year, so I'm not sure.

TIA, Lee