20 replies to this topic

[rdk]

Here in Ct we just had our first large snow fall. The pond is loaded with snow no ice. I have my air pump running but the hose is covered deep with snow. Not exposed to air, Should I do something about this or just leave it. RDK

[CliffandJoann]

We keep our pump motor in a plastic peanut butter jar. Cut a hole in the
jar lid, and run the tube through lid into the pond.
wire the jar to a stake a couple/few feet above the ground to keep it safe
from the elements.

[koikeepr]

someone may have to check me here, but your air hose has air in it--not water--so you're okay. Air can't freeze.

I confess I've never thought about or worried about my air like that. LOL! It's certainly is something interesting to ponder.

You do have your pump protected, right? Should be covered in some kinda insulated container. Even one of the them styrofoam coolers would work as long as you stake it down.

[oldmarine]

Here in the northwest, we've had temps down into the teens (f), But still no ice forming on my pond. Yesterday at about 0800 I checked the water temp in my pond, and the water temp was at 34 degrees F with some ice forming around the water return opening in the spillway.

[rdk]

My air pump is safe in a cold garage. The air hose comes out of the garage into the pond. We talk about ice all the time, being bad for trap gasses, but we never talk about snow. The air pump keeps the ice from forming but over it is a ton of snow. Should I worry about my fish? Please let me know RDK

[CliffandJoann]

I'm just across the water from you on LI ...snow has never been an issue.
I would say your fish are safe.

[koikeepr]

rdk said:

My air pump is safe in a cold garage. The air hose comes out of the garage into the pond. We talk about ice all the time, being bad for trap gasses, but we never talk about snow. The air pump keeps the ice from forming but over it is a ton of snow. Should I worry about my fish? Please let me know RDK

Ah, I see what you're saying. I thought you were worried about your air hose freezing. That's fine since the snow will act as an insulator over it.

But it snowing in the pond is fine. It's just like rain--no different.

[oldmarine]

Koikeeper,

I know what you mean about the snow. Last December of 2008 we had a rare snow fall about a foot deep here in the Tacoma/Seattle area. I failed to get a picture of the snow in my back yard, but there was a hole in the snow where my pond was. I was using the 150 watt heater last winter, and where the snow fell into the pond it thawed and left a hole the same shape as my pond. There was no mistake as to where the pond was.

[rdk]

Thank you all very much. Don't panic about snow just a full layer of solid ice. RDK

[koikeepr]

right! as long as you've got a de-icer, heater or air pump going, it will keep a hole in there. And the hole doesn't have to be very big to do a gas exchange.

Oldmarine, too bad you didn't get a photo of that! Am sure it must have looked cool!

[CliffandJoann]

I got a couple of snow pics

evening snowstorm



2 months later, another snowfall

[koikeepr]

if there's one thing I miss about growing up in NYC it's when the trees look exactly like your bottom photo. Such a winter wonderland!

Now, if the trees could look like that in 65 degree weather for just one day, I'd be happier. LOL!

I swear I hated commuting in Manhattan with all the slush! Agh!

[rdk]

Great airplane Joann

[newday3000]

I had the same dump of snow up here. I would not leave the snow covering the area where your air stone bubles up. With a little rain, snow will turn into ice or at least a crusty layer of ice now covering your pond. This will just get worse over the winter with snow and then rain which happens in Ottawa all winter and I suspect in New Haven as well.

You need to remove the snow over the area you want the hole open or it will get sealed for you with wet snow followed by freezing temp. I just removed the snow over my pump to ensure I see water where I want the hole kept open.

[pebcpa]

Hey Joanne, Was that from last night? I'm on Long Island too but my yard didn't look like that this morning.