Winter Pond Temps

[Craig58]

I thought I'd start a thread where folks who are keeping track of their wintertime temps can post their temps and the conditions of their pond. There is a lot of speculation of what happens under the ice but little in the way of actual facts. So while it won't be a true scientific experiment, it might serve as guidance to people in similar areas. If we all kind if use the same type template, it might make it easier to follow along during the winter.

I'll post a blank template that folks can use to post their info. Once you've posted your pond info once you can just quote your own post and change what is needed.

Craig

 

[Craig58]

Location:
Pond Description:
Style:
Approx. gallons/liter:
Max depth:
General Notes:

Date:
Time:
Outside air temp:
Surface pond temp:
Bottom pond temp:

 

[Craig58]

Location: West Chester, Pa
Pond Description:
Style: Formal
Approx. gallons/liter: 3600 G
Max depth: 4 ft
General Notes: Only running air pump. Airstone located 12" below surface on shelf
15 Koi, 8" - 24"

Date: 21-Nov-2012
Time: 2300 hrs
Outside air temp: 27.3 F
Surface pond temp: 43.7 F
Bottom pond temp: 47.3 F

Craig

 

[Mucky_Waters]

Location: Olalla, BC
Pond Description:
Style: Natural
Approx. gallons/ 2000
Max depth: 5 ft
General Notes: no pump, no air
a bunch of goldfish and minnows, some frogs and some turtles

Date: 21-Nov-2012
Time: 9:30 pm
Outside air temp: 4.4 C
Surface pond temp: N/A
Bottom pond temp: 5.3 C

Mucky

 

[Craig58]

Location: West Chester, Pa
Pond Description:
Style: Formal
Approx. gallons/liter: 3600 G
Max depth: 4 ft
General Notes: Only running air pump. Airstone located 12" below surface on shelf
15 Koi, 8" - 24"

Date: 22-Nov-2012
Time: 1100 hrs
Outside air temp: 62.0 F
Surface pond temp: 43.2 F
Bottom pond temp: 46.4 F

Craig

 

[Craig58]

Location: West Chester, Pa
Pond Description:
Style: Formal
Approx. gallons/liter: 3600 G
Max depth: 4 ft
General Notes: Only running air pump. Airstone located 12" below surface on shelf
15 Koi, 8" - 24"

Date: 22-Nov-2012
Time: 2330 hrs
Outside air temp: 30.2 F
Surface pond temp: 43.2 F
Bottom pond temp: 47.1 F

Craig

 

[Dave 54]

Location: Plymouth UK
Pond Description:
Style: formal ( free standing).
Approx. gallons/liter:1,000 imperial gallons
Max depth:4ft
General Notes: Pond not heated but entire pond and filter housing insulated against the cold with oil heated radiator in the filter housing.
Nothing is turned off but air to pond reduced through spindifter bottom drain, however air to all filters still on full UV-c is on.
Oase dry pump 3500 still running at maximum capacity

Date:24 November
Time:07:33
Outside air temp:9.c
Surface pond temp:13.6c
Bottom pond temp: 13..6c

 

[Craig58]

Location: West Chester, Pa
Pond Description:
Style: Formal
Approx. gallons/liter: 3600 G
Max depth: 4 ft
General Notes: Only running air pump. Airstone located 12" below surface on shelf
15 Koi, 8" - 24"

Date: 24-Nov-2012
Time: 0330 hrs
Outside air temp: 29.8 F (-1.2C)
Surface pond temp: 43.3 F (6.3C)
Bottom pond temp: 46.9 F (8.3C)

Craig

 

[Craig58]

Location: West Chester, Pa
Pond Description:
Style: Formal
Approx. gallons/liter: 3600 G
Max depth: 4 ft
General Notes: Only running air pump. Airstone located 12" below surface on shelf
15 Koi, 8" - 24"

Date: 24-Nov-2012
Time: 1130 hrs
Outside air temp: 25.8 F (-3.4 C)
Surface pond temp: 41.0 F (5.0 C)
Bottom pond temp: 45.3 F (7.4 C)

Craig

 

[Mmathis]

What an excellent idea! But how are you getting a "bottom temp" reading?

 

[Craig58]

I have a wireless thermometer that has a remote 6ft sensor on it. The sensor is dropped to the bottom of the pond. The thermometer sends two temps to the inside unit. The sensors temp as well as the air temperature where the actual unit is that the sensor is plugged into. I then also have a floating wireless thermometer that transmits in the surface temperature of the water, (or at least close to the surface). I tested all three readings with all the units inside before putting outside and while there are minor differences, they were all within 1F of each other.

This is the one I'm using for the bottom temp and the outside air temp.
http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/9029/index.php


Craig

 

[Mmathis]

This is the one I'm using for the bottom temp and the outside air temp.
http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/9029/index.php
Craig

Cool! No pun intended..... So the probe can be submerged? The specs say it has a "dry probe." What does that mean?

 

[Craig58]

Cool! No pun intended..... So the probe can be submerged? The specs say it has a "dry probe." What does that mean?

Got me. Never noticed it referred to as a dry probe. It was advertised as being ok for ponds. So far, no problems.

This is where I actually ordered it from.
http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Technology-WS-9029U-Wireless/dp/B000EM79VC/ref=pd_cp_hi_2


Craig

 

[Dave 54]

Location: Plymouth UK
Pond Description:Free standing
Style: formal .
Approx. gallons/liter:1,000 imperial gallons
Max depth:4ft
General Notes: Pond not heated but entire pond and filter housing insulated against the cold with oil heated radiator in the filter housing.
Nothing is turned off but air to pond reduced through spindifter bottom drain, however air to all filters still on full UV-c is on.
Oase dry pump 3500 still running at maximum capacity

Date:26 November
Time:06:54 am
Outside air temp:7.c
Surface pond temp:13.9c
Bottom pond temp: 13.9c


rgrds

Dave

 

[Mmathis]

Got me. Never noticed it referred to as a dry probe. It was advertised as being ok for ponds. So far, no problems.
This is where I actually ordered it from.
http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Technology-WS-9029U-Wireless/dp/B000EM79VC/ref=pd_cp_hi_2
Craig

Thanks, Craig -- just ordered one from AMAZON. They did say the probe was waterproof.