Just got the P-418 to use this winter on my small (50 gal) pond.
http://www.farminnovators.com/page13.htm
This de-icer is generally made to keep a "hole" in the ice to allow gases to escape, though in my case since I have a lot of flow (waterfalls) I'm hoping (guessing?) it'll just keep all the water thawed. It's designed to cycle on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees.
Any thoughts? Anyone use this and have a thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Someone suggested a feed trough warmer at Tractor Supply - I went there with the idea of getting that, but they had this for about the same price of a decent (plastic-safe) trough warmer, so got this instead.
Since this is my first winter, I don't really have any idea if this will allow me to actually run my waterfalls, or if I'll have to just leave them off and bypass them. It'd be nice if I could leave them on, if this warms the water enough to keep them from from freezing (I'm in zone 6-7 - northern VA.
I don't have any fish or water plants yet - probably next year. This unit is supposed to be safe for both (though a quick cycle of 35->45 seems like maybe a little rough on fish?).
http://www.farminnovators.com/page13.htm
This de-icer is generally made to keep a "hole" in the ice to allow gases to escape, though in my case since I have a lot of flow (waterfalls) I'm hoping (guessing?) it'll just keep all the water thawed. It's designed to cycle on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees.
Any thoughts? Anyone use this and have a thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Someone suggested a feed trough warmer at Tractor Supply - I went there with the idea of getting that, but they had this for about the same price of a decent (plastic-safe) trough warmer, so got this instead.
Since this is my first winter, I don't really have any idea if this will allow me to actually run my waterfalls, or if I'll have to just leave them off and bypass them. It'd be nice if I could leave them on, if this warms the water enough to keep them from from freezing (I'm in zone 6-7 - northern VA.
I don't have any fish or water plants yet - probably next year. This unit is supposed to be safe for both (though a quick cycle of 35->45 seems like maybe a little rough on fish?).