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Old 06-02-2012, 02:00 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Martin Brown Martin Brown is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2006
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Default Outdoor thermostat and pond heater

F wrote:
Management is concerned that the goldfish in the pond are, as last year,
going to die if the pond is frozen over for anything more than a few
hours, so it looks as though I need a heater, a thermostat to turn the
heater on when the temperature drops to ~0ºC, and an outdoor socket.


A quicker and fairly effective passive device would consist of a largish
chunk of polystyrene packaging with a modest hole in it vertically and
another piece loosely on top so that the water under the float doesn't
see open sky but air can still get in. The float bobbing about will
delay freezing a fair bit. You may have to adjust the bouyancy and shape
for optimum results. A black rubber ball works in a similar fashion
although it also works better when under a polystyrene cover.

Toolstation do a suitable socket
(http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p77440), Seapets sell a heater
(http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/po...ef=googlebase),
but I can't find a thermostat.

Anyone able to suggest a source for the thermostat? Comments on the
socket and heater would also be welcome.


I'd go for a passive solution first.
Don't whatever you do break the ice with a hammer!

Regards,
Martin Brown