For what its worth in this reigon, as it really never freezes, and if
it did the ice would be gone by 9am once sun is up , the folks in the
high rent district use those solar panels of what looks like bubble
wrap...(blueish green with silver mylar reflective area) thats used to
heat up swimming pools etc by solar power. The local swimming pool
supply stores here sell it in large rolls that they can piece to
gether to make a cover essentially in the shape and size of your
swimming pool, or inthe case of a pond the shape and size of your
pond. I had a bout a 3 x 3 foot piece of it and will say it does
absorb heat and direct it into the water, and it does make a
difference.

On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 20:41:58 GMT, ~ jan
wrote:

On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:20:49 GMT, wrote:

I cover my pond with plastic in winter and I use a 500watt heater in 1600 gallon
pond so I can feed my fish a little bit every 4th day or so almost all winter. last
time was Jan. 5th. been too cold since then. My ponds are netted all year. I
havent had to treat my pond since 2000. Before the plastic and heater my fish
wouldnt eat for nearly 6 months, I think that is very hand on them. also, once it
warms up the temp stays even so there isnt so much up and down which also prevents
problems. Ingrid

One of our members also covers with plastic, I think he used an 800 watt,
for 4,000 gallons and managed to keep it around 50F (Zone 7), so he's been
feeding all winter. His fish were large last fall, can't wait to see this
summer the difference. I know that is his goal, to grow some big ones. :-)

Spring is coming, just got an E to get my order of Manda Fu requested. One
of our members orders them all in so we save on shipping. :-) ~ jan



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I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!