"CorporalJones" wrote in message
om...
Was it in this NG that I read that with ponds it was no longer required to
clear a hole in the ice to protect wildlife.
Followed that recommendation and ended up with multiple floating frogs and
goldfish.
So much for the experts!!!

I recall some discussion on one of the NGs.

However as suggested already this probably applies to well constructed and
healthy ponds i.e. those with a part which is deep enough to have a good
reserve of unfrozen water when the surface freezes and which do not have
heavy organic deposits at the bottom which encourage anaerobic activity
which depletes the oxygen levels.

One simple way is to get an electric pond heater - just a small heating
element inserted into a float so that most of it is below water.

This provides just enough heat to keep a small area unfrozen.