"John Bachman" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:41:53 -0500, Köi-Lö $##$$@$##$$.#$$ wrote:
I was told NOT to put the bubbler near the bottom where the warmer water
is
in winter. It goes nearer the top to keep an opening in the ice. It
should
not be deep enough to be roiling and mixing the colder and warmer layers.
===================
I have heard that too but do not buy it. Water is funny stuff. It is
most dense at 39 F. That means that as still water cools below 39F it
rises to the surface leaving warmer water at the bottom.

Now if you put your bubbler in the warmer, denser water at the bottom,
it will carry some of that warmth to the top producing a hole in the
ice.

It can also super-chill the bottom which is stressful for the fish -
according to what I've read and was told. I drop the airstone about 6"
below the surface and it keeps a hole open all winter. If I were further
north 6" may not be enough. However I wouldn't want to drop it close to the
bottom. What usually doesn't make the winter in my ponds are the bullfrogs.
Every spring I have to net out at least one dead frog.

I believe that putting the bubbler near the top will result in more
ice build up there than if it were at the bottom.

In my experience that has never happened.

As it is, during
real cold weather I have to break open the hole with a shovel or
something so I really do not plan on moving my bubbler to the top as
that would result in more frequent and denser ice-overs.

This system has worked well for me for three winters now so I do not
plan to change.

Whatever works for YOU. :-)

Your mileage may vary.

This is true.
--
KL....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
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