On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:25:26 -0500, "Benign Vanilla"
wrote:


"tg" wrote in message
...
I have about a 75 foot stream in my yard that is about 3 feet wide and
6-12
inches deep at the center. I am using a Sequence 5800gph pump in
combination
with a Savio skimmer. I want to try to keep it running as long as possible
this winter. We have already had temps below 10 degrees (in Kentucky) and
it
has skimmed over in ice with the water running well underneath. It starts
in
a waterfall and I too has iced on the edges, but the flow is enough to
keep
it open. I want to know if I should remove the filter pad from the skimmer
or leave it in and if it would be advantageous to add a stock tank heater
in
the skimmer box near the pump intake? Any ideas?

Tim, if a hard freeze is possible in your area, I'd be wary of running the
water features all winter. Ice can build up over time on your waterfall and
stream, and if left to grow, the ice can redirect the water out of the pond.

The concern of ice deflecting water out of the stream is the only
thing that has kept me from trying to run mine all winter. We have to
drain and shut down all of the outside water in the winter. Refilling
a half empty pond with buckets from the house has is not very
appealing. Guess I just do not know fun when I see it.

John