Suggestions on how to stop my small pond from freezing completely

[Heruga]

With cold temperatures coming in the way in my area of zone 7a northern NJ, I want to start preparing things that will keep my pond healthy over the winter. My pond freezes every winter so this year I want to have some portions of it unfrozen.

So my pond is very small and is a tub, not a liner. It is 4 feet wide horizontally and like 1 1/2 feet vertically and 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep. I currently use a 90gph pump which will definitely not stop my pond from freezing so I am going to take the pump out for the winter. I know there are many things you can put in the pond and each with different effects such as the pond de-icer, pond heater, aerator etc... which one would suit best for my small pond? I prefer not something that will cost me high electricity bills. Are there any ways I can keep a small portion of my pond unfrozen so my fish won't die?

 

[Lisak1]

Did you not like the answers you got here:

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...small-pond-from-freezing-in-the-winter.20327/

 

[Heruga]

No they were great but this thread asks a slightly different question. Now I am asking for which specific tool would be best for keeping ponds unfrozen or partially unfrozen

 

[sissy]

How about a stock tank heater .I saw some t southern states here that were for 100 gallon stock tanks .One was a 25 watt and one was a fifty watt .Or you could use a regular light bulb like they use in well houses .100 watt light bulb under a hoop house would provide a lot of heat .But will have to be secured good so it will not fall in the pond If you are handy it may work .Even a butch of old windows screwed together to build a house over the pond can make it like a green house

 

[MitchM]

This question was answered in the other thread.