Bubbler or heater?

[mgmine]

Would a bubbler do a decent job of keeping a hole in the ice? I'm thinking that a heater would be expensive to operate all winter.

 

[dieselplower]

I believe a bubbler will work and is the cheapest to operate. I use 300 gph water pump pointed at the surface to keep a hole open. Yes a heater would be the most expensive option. How big is your pond?

 

[addy1]

I just run a bubbler, for here does just fine.

 

[sissy]

I use both here but don't really shut my pond down .I put the heater over my pump and the bubbler hanging down in my pond on 2 sides about 6 inches down .But it does not get that cold here for long .

 

[mgmine]

I'm in Upstate NY so that would make it zone 5. My pond is about 2800 gallons I think. I think I will also add a thermocube to the mix so that what ever I get It will only go on when it is cold enough.

 

[dingdong]

Yes a heater would be the most expensive option. How big is your pond?

 

[mgmine]

It's about 12 x 15 but an irregular shape so maybe 2500 gallons.