14 replies to this topic

[JoaniePA]

I bought an aerator with 30 feet of tubing. The instructions said to run it out of the house and into the pond, so I drilled a little hole in a basement window frame and ran the tube out of the house to the pond. For the last three days the nighttime temps have been in the 20s and when I come out in the morning the tubing is clogged up with ice INSIDE. I'm not too happy about standing in the yard with the tube in my hand, thawing out the one or two clogs in the tubing. It must be condensation from inside air. Have others had this problem? Any way to solve this without putting the pump outside?

Joanie

[rdk]

I run my air pump from an unheated garage. I just put in a large air vent in the garage to get fresh air in there. I was told if you have an air stone take it off. You might try running the pump outside in a plastic box. It gets cold in CT too lots of ice but no problem with the air pump. RDK

[rdk]

If you use the plastic box, put holes in it so you get air.

[koikeepr]

Joanie,

I would think it is the mix of hot air transfering withe cold. RDK is on the right path--get one of those landscaper/irrigation boxes they sell at HD or Lowes (it's right in are where the underground sprinklers are), they are black and come in a myriad of sizes. Simply put your air pump on a few bricks to elevate it from any good rain that might come and then cover it up with the irrigation box.

I'm wondering if you got an indoor aerator tho that can't be used outside? Mine is meant to be used outside, but has to be covered/protected. Do you think the cold will damage yours? Is it really for an indoor fish tank or something?

I've got one of the dolphin pumps.

[koiguy1969]

for the summer season,i have been using an aquarium air pump out doors for 2 years, they are 1/2 the price and just as effective...the Lagunas are made by Hagen as are a few others (Laguna pond pump set up $70.00 +... same size Hagen aquarium pump $30.00).. put the pump in a tupperware container put some small holes in the lid.for air input and a hole in the side for the cord and one for the airline. the one for the power cord slice to the opening so you can put the cord in. set the container upside down as to use the lid as the bottom alittle elevated off the ground . i put some river rock down in a slight indentation i dug out, set it on top and cover it with more river rock, this allows plenty of air flow and totally hides it..

[koikeepr]

we're talking about winter here, koiguy. I don't doubt these pumps can make it in the summer, but can they handle extreme cold?

[spangs]

i got 2 small pumps from wal-mart for 11 bucks each found a plastic tub and lid that we ere not using drilled a hole for the cords to go in and out we just got dumped on last night and its working great still and no water in it

[DoDad]

All my air pumps are outside in my pump pit. I run one of mine 24/7/365 with no problems.

[DrDave]

spangs said:

i got 2 small pumps from wal-mart for 11 bucks each found a plastic tub and lid that we ere not using drilled a hole for the cords to go in and out we just got dumped on last night and its working great still and no water in it

Beware the $11 Walmart pumps. I went through more than 5 of them in less than a year indoors. You are better off with the $20 one they sell, I have never had a failure with those and I have 4 of them running now.

[koikeepr]

DoDad said:

All my air pumps are outside in my pump pit. I run one of mine 24/7/365 with no problems.

ditto. me too. my dolphin AV-50 has not let me down and it sits in my pit in hot and cold.

[pebcpa]

I used an 18 gallon storage container to keep my PondMaster AP-40 in. I put a couple of pavers in the bottom to weigh it down and keep it from blowing over. I drilled a hole in one end near the bottom and ran a tube from the pump inside the box up to a manifold. I made the manifold from pvc and a few gate valves and attached it to the side of the container. I also drilled a hole in the side for ventilation and covered it with a piece of screen and an extra shower drain cover from the bottom drain of a skippy filter. I cut a notch in the lip and ran the power cord through it so it kind of works like a drip loop and the lid fits securely.

We have had quite a bit of driving rain and wind. So far it’s dry inside and it hasn’t blown around. We’ve only had a few days and nights of freezing temps but everything seems to be working so far

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[jethro13]

since I don't have a covered pit that does not contain water I used the bucket idea to cover my two pumps. I found out the hard way that once it snows the pumps cannot draw air from under the bucket and burned itself up.So. this is what I did: went to home depo to the gutter/downspout section and bought four plastic 11/2'' round soffit vents, cut four holes in the side on the bucket (bucket sitting upside down of course) that fit the vents and then caulked them in place. Make sure the louvers in vent are facing the right way so rain runs off. Then while the bucket is still upside down drill a hole in the side for the air hose. Pump stays dry you use outside air. no more worries it works great for years to come.

[kirscp]

This was printed with the pondmaster lit.

"NOTE: In winter, damp air can condense onto the inside wall of the hose. This can eventually block the hose completely, therefore, it is important to check frequently during periods of freezing temperatures."

I just leave my pondmaster exposed to the elements. It sits on my skimmer, so it's well above ground and snow doesn't accumulate around it.

I only use mine in the winter.

[koiguy1969]

pebca....clever, clever indeed!

[koikeepr]

i'm with jethro, I don't like sticking equipment in a plastic container for fear air circulation isn't going to be sufficient.

I have my air pump up on a few bricks and then I just cover it with one of those irrigation housing boxes. They have 'em in HDepot where the underground lawn sprinklers are. They make in all sorts of sizes and I think mine was $11 bucks. They're black so you can't even see them by the pond. You just pop it on top of the pump and you're off.