Pond is frozen in Chicago

[shanezam203]

Hi everyone, I've been lucky and my Koi have survived 4 cold winters in Chicago. I have an air stone in the back behind the waterfall but it's so cold it freezes still even with the bubbles going. How often would you poke a hole in the Ice to keep the oxygen flowing?

 

[Faebinder]

Hate above water ponds cause of the freezing risk.

Why not just buy a pond breather and put it in every winter? No more poking holes.

 

[shanezam203]

I have an air stone in the back but that's not big enough or heated so it froze.

I may check out this Pond Breather, has anyone used similar?

https://www.amazon.com/8PB-Breather...&qid=1482087491&sr=8-1&keywords=pond+breather

 

[Faebinder]

I have an air stone in the back but that's not big enough or heated so it froze.

I may check out this Pond Breather, has anyone used similar?

https://www.amazon.com/8PB-Breather...&qid=1482087491&sr=8-1&keywords=pond+breather

I don't use a pond breather cause my pond doesn't freeze more than a couple of days a year with my tank heater and the set up. Others here have used the one you linked.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Do not use force to poke holes in ice!!!!
This force is magnified underwater and can severely stress your already otherwise temperature weakened fish.

 

[Faebinder]

Do not use force to poke holes in ice!!!!
This force is magnified underwater and can severely stress your already otherwise temperature weakened fish.

What he said!!!

 

[barryian]

As

Do not use force to poke holes in ice!!!!
This force is magnified underwater and can severely stress your already otherwise temperature weakened fish.

Or kill some :-( ... No hammer hole poking! Just sit a deicer on top!

 

[Meyer Jordan]

As


Or kill some :-( ... No hammer hole poking! Just sit a deicer on top!

Or a pot or two of hot water.

 

[Tula]

I like the Pond Breather and use one; but am wondering if you might find a de -icer locally, since you really do need an opening in the ice. You could check some tractor supply type stores, then add the Pond Breather later.....I actually use a Pond Breather, small aerator and a de icer.....call me paranoid!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I may check out this Pond Breather, has anyone used similar?

Quite a few forum members use them, including myself. This is my third winter with one. I use nothing but the breather and have had great success so far.

 

[shanezam203]

Thank you all, I got the Pond Breather/ heated aerator ordered and I will have it in the pond Tuesday or Wednesday. thank you all.

 

[MitchM]

I have an air stone in the back but that's not big enough or heated so it froze.

I may check out this Pond Breather, has anyone used similar?

https://www.amazon.com/8PB-Breather...&qid=1482087491&sr=8-1&keywords=pond+breather

That's the only pond breather made, that I'm aware of.
I have 2 running each winter

 

[MitchM]

Hi everyone, I've been lucky and my Koi have survived 4 cold winters in Chicago. I have an air stone in the back behind the waterfall but it's so cold it freezes still even with the bubbles going. How often would you poke a hole in the Ice to keep the oxygen flowing?

View attachment 96560 View attachment 96561

Just the fact that you're pumping air into your pond water under the ice will help a lot.
The extra air will find it's way out somewhere but my fear with using an aerator only during the winter means that you are running the risk of having the airline freeze up and stop working until spring thaw.
I would go with something more reliable. Like a pond breather which I'm glad to hear you you've ordered one.
But - you're now going to have to open up a hole for the pond breather to fit in.
Don't chop a hole open! You could set a trough heater on the ice, plug it in and it will melt a hole big enough for the breather to fit in. Depending on your ice thickness, it could take a couple of days though.

.

 

[shanezam203]

But - you're now going to have to open up a hole for the pond breather to fit in.
Don't chop a hole open! You could set a trough heater on the ice, plug it in and it will melt a hole big enough for the breather to fit in. Depending on your ice thickness, it could take a couple of days though.
.

Thank you, I will do that and update everyone mid week/ next weekend once I have it installed. Thank you all for the suggestions.

 

[morewater]

Come the Spring, don't forget to take that breather apart and give it a good cleaning. They dis-assemble fairly easily.

Pay close attention to the pump itself, because once that pump is toast.......the whole thing is toast.