On Sat, 5 Jan 2008 20:24:33 CST, "Peter Corser"
wrote:

If the fish are at the bottom of the pond where the water should be at least
4 deg C they will be fine as long as the freezing conditions don't last too
long.

Don't, under any circumstances use an air pump/air stone to bring water to
the surface - this will do far more harm than good in allowing the overall
pond water temperature to fall to too low a level (still water will have 4
deg C minimum - a characteristic of water which is why ice floats). If the
cold spell is likely to be extended buy a simple floating electric pond
heater (tether it so that it can't touch the liner of the pond and damage
the liner) which will keep a hole open. I have heard of problems with fish
resting against the heater and suffering burns, but have never experienced
this when I have used this method. I have not experienced prolonged icing
over here in cental UK for several years although it has been a problem in
the past

If you have a problem which need solving immediately without access to pond
suppliers, try lowering the level of the pond by a couple of inches, melting
a hole using hot water from a kettle and filling the ice hole with a large
diameter ball (in the UK we normally use a soccer ball) to ensure that the
hole stays open. Enough air will pass the ball/ice interface to prevent a
problem (may not be perfect, but will be enough to work).

Thanks for being helpful Peter, but I'm not in trouble, just bragging
about the ice since it is such a rare occurrence for me. Actually
the ice is all gone this morning and the water temperature is 36F or
2.2C at the surface this morning and it warms quickly in that pond.
It may take it a few more days to reach temperatures high enough to
begin feeding again, but the fish are in good health.

--
Hal Middle Georgia, Zone 8
http://tinyurl.com/2fxzcb