Hi,
With pump running the water should not freeze until temp goes below
about -5C. Usual practice is to place small ball , polystyrene/ or similar
onto top of water in pond then each morning pull it out leaving a section of
surface where gas exchange can take place.
I leave my pond pump running all winter in 1 pond, always have a section of
the pond clear of ice where water re-enters the pond from the small stream
ive built, this also provides fresh running water for the local bird
populace to drink and bathe.

I have a wildlife pond which regularly freezes over during winter,(no pump)
its the first of my 5 small ponds to have spawn in, have also noticed going
down garden at night with torch, that newts are finding their way back
recently.
regards
Cineman

"ForeverArsenal" wrote in message
...
Hi all
A merry Christmas to you all.

Asking question in here because I could not find decent wild life group.

I have in my garden in Essex (Nr Great Dunmow) a small water
feature namely a (approx) 1 mtr wide oak barrel (bottom third)
that a old fashion cast iron pump with small electric fish tank pump.

Now problem is all year there are up to ten frogs living in it rent free
:-)

Now that the cold spell is with us I turn the pump off as the water top
freeze's
and of course it would pump the water out of tub.

I've been breaking the ice 2 or 3 times a day (how do they live in that
temp)
but it does disturb the frogs and I don't know if I'm doing right or not,I
assume
they want to get out some times so break the ice up.

Anyone know for sure please best thing to do ??
--
Barry.