Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Hobden
"kathateria" wrote ..
islaygardener;921479 Wrote:
Thank you for your speedy reply.
I've just measured it - 50cm / 19 " deep.
Good idea about moving them inside in those conditions - possibly in the
shed in a large (cleaned out) plastic cattle feed bin.But then would
have to artificially oxygenate that ? Would be a problem as there is no
electricity out there and I don't want to install any either.
Maybe install a pond heater to be activated during a harsh spell - that
would keep the filter etc from freezing, yes ?
Get some oxygenators (plants). I reckon it would be easier and cheaper
to bring them in, change the water every few days, 50% at a time.
heaters for out doors would be expensive to run in such extreme
temperatures too.
Good plants are hippuris vulgaris,and wa ter milfoil. Just build up an
edge,put some gravel in,and plant the hippuris,and the milfoil will root
itself,just throw it in. Have you got any other plants in there? Plants
will do the work for you.
NOT in the winter they won't, indeed plants die back and their debris rots
in the winter which will only add to your problems. Too many "oxygenating"
plants in a pond if often the cause of the total wipeout of fish over night
especially during hot sultry nights. They make oxygen during the day but
breath like us at night breathing in oxygen and pumping out carbon dioxide.
--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK
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Thanks so much, everyone, for your really helpful replies. I must admit it never occured to me that the sides of the barrel would freeze as well- doh ! but of course they would ! Well - I think the new plan so far is to stick with goldfish, move them inside in icy conditions,replacing water as suggested. I'll forget the heater, I think but I would like some sort of water filter / oxygenator for the fish and also for water clarity - I have plants in there but it's still murky. Can anyone recommend some kit please ? And are water oxygenators / filters totally different things ? ( I did explain I am a complete novice ...)