Winterizing, 2010-2011

Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
152
Reaction score
3
Location
North-Eastcoaster with shovels for blizzards

In my neck of the woods (Tri-State area of NY-NJ-PA), the temperature has been about 30ish degrees. I had winterized my pond for a couple days and got it done already for my 8 fishies :fish::fish::fish::fish::fish:
DSC01587.jpg




First, I moved the filter into the pond's corner, hooked it up with a check-valve and all the fancy piping.
DSC01529.jpg




Next I installed a short 4-nozzle-fountain to provide some water circulation and aeration.
DSC01531.jpg

DSC01535.jpg




Next I used a stainless steel drum to cover the fountain.
DSC01559.jpg

DSC01556.jpg

DSC01560.jpg



Next I installed an underwater light for fishies to see in the dark because the pond would be covered completely by wood beams, plywoods and a tarp.
DSC01569.jpg


DSC01576.jpg


Next I went on covering the pond with wood beams and plywoods to hold up tons of snow ... just in case of the repeated-blizzard-attacks... :wink: :rolleyes: :yikesu: :)
DSC01563.jpg

DSC01567.jpg

Finally I covered the pond completely with a tarp to keep the water from freezing. From time to time, I'll open up the tarp, peek & spy-cam the fishies during the next 5 months, and post them here to share with you guys.
DSC01585.jpg
 

j.w

I Love my Goldies
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
32,948
Reaction score
20,255
Location
Arlington, Washington
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
USDA 8a
Country
United States
Wow they have all the creature comforts of a nice home even in the dead of winter.............but where is the t.v and the lounge chairs :yikesu: I presume they get enough air cuz you are using the fountain for the air circulation. What a cool project :wink:
 

DrDave

Innovator
Moderator
Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
6,851
Reaction score
112
Location
Fallbrook, Ca USA
Johhny
Where did you get those cool jets? Great photo history, I look forward to seeing more as winter approaches.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
152
Reaction score
3
Location
North-Eastcoaster with shovels for blizzards

J.W wrote:
Wow they have all the creature comforts of a nice home even in the dead of winter.............but where is the t.v and the lounge chairs I presume they get enough air cuz you are using the fountain for the air circulation. What a cool project

JW, thanks for your compliments.

stroppy wrote:
great idea, my only worry would be if condensation drips off the wood into the pond, if the woods treated could it harm the fish ?

Stroppy, thanks for your heads-up. As to the ply-woods & treated-wood-beams, I had thought about the chemical-contamination-risk; thus, I had previously soaked and thoroughly cleaned the woods as much as I could. So far, the fishies are still doing OK... No signs of chemical poisoning
fingersx.gif
DocDave wrote:
Johhny Where did you get those cool jets? Great photo history, I look forward to seeing more as winter approaches.


Doc, these cooling & recirculating jets can be purchased here by clicking the smiley icon:

DSC01535.jpg

 
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
152
Reaction score
3
Location
North-Eastcoaster with shovels for blizzards
DrDave said:
BestNest, I'm on their mailing list, thanks.

Doc, you're welcome.



Updating...

After 5 days later, I found out that solar heating has really worked. The Autumn-sun heats up the tarp like a greenhouse. The water temperature underneath was 59 degrees :rolleyes: today.

DSC01585.jpg




Hungry fishies were swimming around looking for food.
DSC01589.jpg




Since the water temperature was above 50 degrees, I fed the fishies lightly. I made a floater and dropped in some pellets.
DSC01606.jpg


:regular_waving_emot

 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,340
Reaction score
29,092
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
Very nice job, your fish must love you.

Mine is too large to cover, but it is deep.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
152
Reaction score
3
Location
North-Eastcoaster with shovels for blizzards
Updating...



After 17 days of covering, the water temperature is still around 60ish.
Fishies are hungry for food
DSC01642.jpg

DSC01646.jpg

DSC01647.jpg

DSC01652.jpg

DSC01657.jpg




Hmm.. how do you feed fishies daily through the tarp and plywoods?
DSC01585.jpg



An answer is the Koi Chef Automatic Fish Feeder. Thanks goodness for this feeder.
CP8111_99.jpg



I made a bracket to hold the feeder next to the stainless drum.
DSC01641.jpg



I insert the feeder right into the bracket. It fits like a glove. Fishies are automatically fed 8am sharp daily under the cover. When the water temperature drops below 50 degrees, I'll remove the feeder and "starve" the fishies :rolleyes::wink:
DSC01649.jpg

DSC01651.jpg

:regular_waving_emot
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,340
Reaction score
29,092
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
Nice job a lot of thought went into that!
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads


Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
30,784
Messages
508,601
Members
13,043
Latest member
cisifom

Latest Threads

Top