I live in Milwaukee, WI zone 5 rarely more than -15oF. I have tried various things
which worked as long as the electricity WAS ON. And then came the electricity to the
whole house was off, or the circuit blew, last year the brand new air pump ($279
reciprocating air pump!!!) simply quit at 2 months of age, the ponds froze shut (3'
and one was 5.5' deep) and I lost all my fish.
Then there is the problem with keeping fish healthy when not fed for 6 months or
longer and having to go thru up and down temp swings and having to go thru low oxygen
in spring, etc. etc.

That was when I decided to cover my ponds.
http://weloveteaching.com/mypond/winters/winter.htm
Just putting plastic (bubble wrap cover is better) over the pond about 1 foot
(slanted or hooped to keep the snow off the cover) keeps the water open with just an
air pump (put air stone just below the surface 3-5 inches) and running the water
pump. I use a bucket filter and let the hose come out just below the surface so it
doesnt shoot up so much as "boil" the surface of the water.

my pond, which is 1.5 feet above ground, 2.5 feet below has a 500 watt "tank" heater
in a casing that protects the liner. that heater is like running 5 light bulbs.
that keeps the water above 50oF for all except 1 month in winter. and my fish eat
(not every day, not as much) all winter long. my lily doesnt die back completely
either. and even if I lose the electricity completely the pond would barely skim
over (in below zero weather) before the electricity comes back on. it is simply
easier on the fish, and my pond was built FOR my fish. Ingrid


In S. Ontario, with temperatures down to -25C, I could keep a hole open
with a 15W aquarium air pump and one of the long (6") air stones, suspended
6-12" below the waterline.
--
derek

Derek,
I just created a pond (rather late in the season) in Hamilton ON.
How do you keep your air pump from getting wet? My max depth of my
pond is about 4 1/2 feet. Will 6-12" below the water line be sufficient
for me too?
I was looking at the pond de-icers and I am hesitant about running it
with the cost of electricity these days if I don't need to. I have
about 30 gold fish between 3-5 inches.
Thanks
Lawrence



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