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Ponds in winter
I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with
three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#2
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On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 01:27:01 GMT, Keith Nuttle
wrote: I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? If you turn the pumps off what holds the water in each level? First Law of Plumbing: "Water [well, I'm paraphrasing here, it's a family group] runs down hill." Are there fish in any of the levels? -- Crashj |
#3
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Should or can I let this pond run all winter? You should. A stock tank heater in top level would be sufficient to keep the water from freezing. |
#4
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One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during
a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#5
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Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving.
We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#6
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I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond.
"W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#7
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Take if from a winter failure... be prepared and watch the weather. Too many times we've had a sudden and dramatic cold snap and I've been attempting to turn the valve and shut down the waterfall and it won't bloody turn and dragging my poor 15 year old out of his warm bed to turn it for me and then tearing through the shed trying to find the floating heater and the air bubbler and wondering where in the heck DH put them last time he cleaned the shed out.... kathy :-) in zone 7a, SE WA |
#8
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#9
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OOoooooo ..... I can understand that. :-)
Ka30P wrote: Take if from a winter failure... be prepared and watch the weather. Too many times we've had a sudden and dramatic cold snap and I've been attempting to turn the valve and shut down the waterfall and it won't bloody turn and dragging my poor 15 year old out of his warm bed to turn it for me and then tearing through the shed trying to find the floating heater and the air bubbler and wondering where in the heck DH put them last time he cleaned the shed out.... kathy :-) in zone 7a, SE WA |
#10
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Monument STILL seems to get the worst and most extreme weather in
Colorado! LOL. Movning to Memphis, good move! tim chandler wrote: I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond. "W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#11
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Yeah, but Memphis doesn't have those beautiful mountains! And it's a LOT more humid here, too! Of course my water bill here is only about 75 cents per 1000 gallons, whereas in Monument it cost around $13 per thousand gallons IIRC...
"W Dale" wrote in message ... Monument STILL seems to get the worst and most extreme weather in Colorado! LOL. Movning to Memphis, good move! tim chandler wrote: I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond. "W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#12
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Actually I just let the my pump run all winter long. I don't have an
airstone, however I do disconnect the host from the waterfall, turn off the UV light and bring it inside. Then I aim the hose to the center of the pond and it runs all winter long. Considering the temperatures in Ontario drop considerably, I'm actually amazed that the whole thing doesn't freeze. However I've always heard water trickling and come spring, the fish are still kicking. Kinda amazing at times. - Nick "tim chandler" wrote in message ... I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond. "W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#13
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Actually I just let the my pump run all winter long. I don't have an
airstone, however I do disconnect the host from the waterfall, turn off the UV light and bring it inside. Then I aim the hose to the center of the pond and it runs all winter long. Considering the temperatures in Ontario drop considerably, I'm actually amazed that the whole thing doesn't freeze. However I've always heard water trickling and come spring, the fish are still kicking. Kinda amazing at times. - Nick "tim chandler" wrote in message ... I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond. "W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#14
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I think a lot of ponders will stop feeding the fish and shut down when the outside air temps and the water temps are around 50 or so and getting colder for the season - to keep running a waterfall then and when the temps are in the 40s and below will just make the water colder faster. Here in Memphis (we basically don't have winter at least compared to the Springs, LOL, I used to live in Monument) I can use a stock tank heater to keep the water from freezing except at the extreme ends of my pond.
"W Dale" wrote in message ... Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving. We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
#15
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Here in Colorado Springs, we 'shut down' our punds around Thanksgiving.
We keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange and 'winter the fish'. Some ponders report losing zero fish. I have lost some to wintering. I would like it if I could keep things going all winter long. I think it just gets too cold here. W. Dale tim chandler wrote: One of the problems with letting it run all winter is that especially during a cold night, ice dams can form which can divert water outside the pond, possibly causing a catastrophic loss of water and subsequent loss of the fish. For this reason it is always advisable that your pump not be located at the lowest level on the pond, so that in the event of something like this happening, all the water is not pumped out. It's also advisable to run an airstone or other aerator during the winter, perhaps coupled with a stock tank heater, to keep enough oxygen in the water and avoid a complete freeze-up on the surface. Happy Ponding, Tim "Keith Nuttle" wrote in message ... I live in central indiana. My pond is about 1400 gal 120 sqft with three levels and sluice to from each level to the next and the bottom level is pump to the top level. Should or can I let this pond run all winter? If not when should it be turned off? |
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