Nedra wrote:
You can buy an air pump, attach an air hose to it... and an air stone at the
end. This will keep a hole in any ice that forms and keep aeration going in
the pond. Be sure to cover the
air pump with a bucket or something similar. Total output of dollars -
probably under
$15 or 20. You'll save a bundle! Very cheap to operate.

Nedra in Missouri
zone 6


So, you're saying if I can just keep the water from freezing over, it
won't matter how cold the water will get, the fish should survive?

SeaRobin
Alabama, zone 7b


"SeaRobin" wrote in message
...

I've read a couple of overwintering guides, but they all focus on bigger
ponds. I've got a 50 gallon kidney shaped pre-formed pond that's set
into a raised bed about that's about 2ft. high. The pond itself is just
a bit less deep than that.

Can I keep a couple of regular goldfish in there with winter temps
typically at 45-50 F during the day and about 30 F at night? Of course,
we can get temps in the teens and twenties on the odd winter day, but it
wouldn't last long. I have a pump running a bubble fountain that I plan
to remove the fountain head from to make a fatter stream of water just
gurgling up from the pond to make it less freeze prone. Do you think
the fish will survive in such a shallow pond, or should I go invest in
an aquarium and bring them in?