Fish pond in winter question
08 January 2010, 07:59 PM
#34
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Most of the surface of mine is frozen except around the bit of the pump that comes out of the water. I assume the bottom water is slightly warmer so that is melting the ice as it comes out of the outlet. I think mine is about 2ft deep. I have 2, 2/3" koi in there that i have had since the summer. so far so good.
So could David turn the pump off and install a heater near the filter? Would it stop the fish from being frozen?.
So could David turn the pump off and install a heater near the filter? Would it stop the fish from being frozen?.
David could turn the pump off and have some form of heat to keep the ice away but then the pond debris that would usually get filtered (and in my case flushed to waste) would increase, even in winter.
08 January 2010, 08:14 PM
#35
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With these daft temperatures outside now any temperature stabilisation above 5 degrees has to be better than ice everywhere.
08 January 2010, 08:19 PM
#36
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Spoon, yep I do have an oldish pump with no flow dampener. But it will be losing quite a bit of head as water gets to the filter. e,g. 9 metres of pipe, sharp bends into UV filter and then spray bar not to mention debris clogging up the pump casing! So perhaps 60% efficient?
David
David
08 January 2010, 09:06 PM
#37
The latter 
I m not sure, but i remember its Baggon or something like that. I didn't set it up and havnt touched it since it went in. I was going to have water circulating to another pond in my woodland garden but didnt get that far. It is too powerful for what i need it for so it is on the lowest setting. My neighbour cleaned it or emptied it out at the end of the summer. I remember when the fountain was put on the water shot up so high the pond nearly emptied in 5 minutes
I didnt think that there would be too much debris this time of the year, especially if the fish are not fed and they are not moving about much. If the pump has been working effectively, surely to pond would be ok to come off for a short time.
I didnt think that there would be too much debris this time of the year, especially if the fish are not fed and they are not moving about much. If the pump has been working effectively, surely to pond would be ok to come off for a short time.
08 January 2010, 09:14 PM
#38
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Well i've never been so insulted,
not since the last time anyway, i'm telling Matron.
Plenty more fish in the pond as they say, (unless they're yours by the sound of it).
That's the last time my intelwotsit brain capacity is used on you madam. Good day!
ps. Could you lend me a fiver for the fare home?
not since the last time anyway, i'm telling Matron.Plenty more fish in the pond as they say, (unless they're yours by the sound of it).
That's the last time my intelwotsit brain capacity is used on you madam. Good day!
ps. Could you lend me a fiver for the fare home?
08 January 2010, 09:15 PM
#39
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The latter
I m not sure, but i remember its Baggon or something like that. I didn't set it up and havnt touched it since it went in. I was going to have water circulating to another pond in my woodland garden but didnt get that far. It is too powerful for what i need it for so it is on the lowest setting. My neighbour cleaned it or emptied it out at the end of the summer. I remember when the fountain was put on the water shot up so high the pond nearly emptied in 5 minutes
I didnt think that there would be too much debris this time of the year, especially if the fish are not fed and they are not moving about much. If the pump has been working effectively, surely to pond would be ok to come off for a short time.
I m not sure, but i remember its Baggon or something like that. I didn't set it up and havnt touched it since it went in. I was going to have water circulating to another pond in my woodland garden but didnt get that far. It is too powerful for what i need it for so it is on the lowest setting. My neighbour cleaned it or emptied it out at the end of the summer. I remember when the fountain was put on the water shot up so high the pond nearly emptied in 5 minutes
I didnt think that there would be too much debris this time of the year, especially if the fish are not fed and they are not moving about much. If the pump has been working effectively, surely to pond would be ok to come off for a short time.
Debris is more pond size dependent this time of year. I was referring more to David's larger pond and things that could possibly blow in it. My ponds are larger still and get all sorts of things blown in that will settle on the bottom without a pump running 24/7/365.
08 January 2010, 10:03 PM
#40
[quote=Quasi Modo;9144774
ps. Could you lend me a fiver for the fare home?[/quote]
Is it time to get your coat?
If you want to split you can have a lift in my banana
Blagdon sounds right, i know it was expensive but it is meant for a much bigger set up than i have.
Part of my pump is in a plastic box in the ground and the other part is in the water. The pump takes the muck out of the water and puts it back in cleaner. I can see the bottom of the pond, the water is always crystal clear.
ps. Could you lend me a fiver for the fare home?
[/quote]Is it time to get your coat?
If you want to split you can have a lift in my banana
Are you talking about your filter or pump or do you have an all in one? As long as it is filtered and maintained. I was just wondering if you kept koi in their own toilet that's all. It'll be a Blagdon at a guess.
Debris is more pond size dependent this time of year. I was referring more to David's larger pond and things that could possibly blow in it. My ponds are larger still and get all sorts of things blown in that will settle on the bottom without a pump running 24/7/365.
Debris is more pond size dependent this time of year. I was referring more to David's larger pond and things that could possibly blow in it. My ponds are larger still and get all sorts of things blown in that will settle on the bottom without a pump running 24/7/365.
Part of my pump is in a plastic box in the ground and the other part is in the water. The pump takes the muck out of the water and puts it back in cleaner. I can see the bottom of the pond, the water is always crystal clear.
08 January 2010, 10:10 PM
#41
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Blagdon sounds right, i know it was expensive but it is meant for a much bigger set up than i have.
Part of my pump is in a plastic box in the ground and the other part is in the water. The pump takes the muck out of the water and puts it back in cleaner. I can see the bottom of the pond, the water is always crystal clear.
Part of my pump is in a plastic box in the ground and the other part is in the water. The pump takes the muck out of the water and puts it back in cleaner. I can see the bottom of the pond, the water is always crystal clear.
08 January 2010, 10:23 PM
#43
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If you want to split you can have a lift in my banana?
That's disgusting, what a hussie.
I'll think about it, and the lift too.
Filthy beast, you've got me at it now. really, the things you put in my mouth.
I'll keep your insane offer in mind, just incase i have a space in my diary.
No need to thank me, your love is felt (along with the DMS size 13).
I know what it is ya know, women see my hump and think "Doesn't he look like Brad Pit?" I've got all his bits, just in the wrong places.
That's disgusting, what a hussie.
I'll think about it, and the lift too.
Filthy beast,
you've got me at it now. really, the things you put in my mouth.I'll keep your insane offer in mind, just incase i have a space in my diary.
No need to thank me, your love is felt (along with the DMS size 13).
I know what it is ya know, women see my hump and think "Doesn't he look like Brad Pit?" I've got all his bits, just in the wrong places.
08 January 2010, 10:28 PM
#44
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Blanket weed has to be controlled using chemicals and duck weed is an absolute pain in the ear lobe but can be filtered.
Can you see a blue light in your pond? Like a sunbed light colour?
08 January 2010, 10:36 PM
#45
Some models do but I haven't seen yours (filter). A simple UV should keep your water from turning green. Water passing through it helps single celled algae (planktonic) clump together and hopefully then is dumped into the filter.
Blanket weed has to be controlled using chemicals and duck weed is an absolute pain in the ear lobe but can be filtered.
Can you see a blue light in your pond? Like a sunbed light colour?
Blanket weed has to be controlled using chemicals and duck weed is an absolute pain in the ear lobe but can be filtered.
Can you see a blue light in your pond? Like a sunbed light colour?
I had to get rid of the blanket weed with chemicals but it went really quickly, just a couple of days. Is the duck weed the one thats tiny, like 4 leafed clovers? I just fished that out with a net when i saw it. I didnt think about it choking up the filter. The blanket stuff was a nightmare, it was like candyfloss and was stuck to everything.
I havnt had the pond long but i am learning. I will extend it soon but i had to cut down a North American Pine that i had growing next to the house so everything went on hold.
08 January 2010, 10:50 PM
#46
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Definitely no light. I will ask my neighbour when he next cleans it for me. I havnt a clue about what i am doing so its best i leave it alone
I had to get rid of the blanket weed with chemicals but it went really quickly, just a couple of days. Is the duck weed the one thats tiny, like 4 leafed clovers? I just fished that out with a net when i saw it. I didnt think about it choking up the filter. The blanket stuff was a nightmare, it was like candyfloss and was stuck to everything.
I havnt had the pond long but i am learning. I will extend it soon but i had to cut down a North American Pine that i had growing next to the house so everything went on hold.
I had to get rid of the blanket weed with chemicals but it went really quickly, just a couple of days. Is the duck weed the one thats tiny, like 4 leafed clovers? I just fished that out with a net when i saw it. I didnt think about it choking up the filter. The blanket stuff was a nightmare, it was like candyfloss and was stuck to everything.
I havnt had the pond long but i am learning. I will extend it soon but i had to cut down a North American Pine that i had growing next to the house so everything went on hold.
I have never had any until this year when a duck must have brought it in on his feet. I spent a fair time netting it and the filter ate the rest. I then opened the filter valves daily to waste in the field.
What you haven't got out sinks to the bottom in the winter and comes back up in the spring and starts all over again.
Last edited by Spoon; 08 January 2010 at 10:51 PM.
08 January 2010, 11:08 PM
#48
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[quote=sarasquares;9145090]
That wasn't bad for you, bint.
Bulbs should be changed every year even if they still show. Their effectiveness reduces over one season. I turn mine off for the winter though as they aren't necessary and replace every spring.
It is highly possible yours is broken, they are fragile.
Bulbs should be changed every year even if they still show. Their effectiveness reduces over one season. I turn mine off for the winter though as they aren't necessary and replace every spring.
It is highly possible yours is broken, they are fragile.
08 January 2010, 11:16 PM
#49
[quote=Spoon;9145120]
Mwaa
Where would the bulb be and is it meant to be on 24/7 or just in the summer?
Can fish see in the dark?
That wasn't bad for you, bint.
Bulbs should be changed every year even if they still show. Their effectiveness reduces over one season. I turn mine off for the winter though as they aren't necessary and replace every spring.
It is highly possible yours is broken, they are fragile.
Bulbs should be changed every year even if they still show. Their effectiveness reduces over one season. I turn mine off for the winter though as they aren't necessary and replace every spring.
It is highly possible yours is broken, they are fragile.
Mwaa
Where would the bulb be and is it meant to be on 24/7 or just in the summer?
Can fish see in the dark?
08 January 2010, 11:30 PM
#50
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[quote=sarasquares;9145140]
Well your filter isn't that big!! I have a twin UV fixed on brackets to the side of the filters. Water passes through them on route to the vortex so look where the pipe goes and follow it with your pinkies.
In your case having an all in one filter you don't get the flexibility you can get with separates. I can switch anything on and off via several outdoor switches. I doubt you could turn your UV off without turning the whole thing off but I might be wrong. If you're going to replace the bulb every year anyway and it is all built in then it hardly matters. Mine is 110watts so it pays to turn it off when not in use.
Look yourself and don't ask the fish to look.
In your case having an all in one filter you don't get the flexibility you can get with separates. I can switch anything on and off via several outdoor switches. I doubt you could turn your UV off without turning the whole thing off but I might be wrong. If you're going to replace the bulb every year anyway and it is all built in then it hardly matters. Mine is 110watts so it pays to turn it off when not in use.
Look yourself and don't ask the fish to look.
08 January 2010, 11:41 PM
#52
I think its about time i knew what i had going on in my pond. I only have one power thing, no switches but i know that there is something i can adjust under water. I dontl ike putting my hands in there cos i have frogs and not long ago i was staring into the water trying to see something and a frog jumped out and nearly hit me in the face
I dont know who was more scared
I will get my neighbour to show me what i have got when the weather is better
I dont know who was more scared
I will get my neighbour to show me what i have got when the weather is better
08 January 2010, 11:47 PM
#54
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The frog.
HTH.
Send me a picture bent over and I'll point out what you have got. Then post a picture up of your pond. 
After you've stopped gathering Clown Watch evidence for the High Court that is.
HTH.
After you've stopped gathering Clown Watch evidence for the High Court that is.
09 January 2010, 03:43 PM
#55
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09 January 2010, 03:44 PM
#56
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Oh great, i can't stand up now.
Last edited by Quasi Modo; 09 January 2010 at 03:49 PM.
12 January 2010, 08:10 PM
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Thought you fish geeks might be interested in this.
BBC News - Who have been the winners in the big freeze?
The standard advice to pond owners during freezing cold spells has long been to break a hole to allow oxygen into the water for species like common frogs, dragon flies, shrimps, water beetles and flatworms to breathe.
But new research by environmental group Pond Conservation suggests oxygen levels could actually be higher in a pond that is frozen over.
How much it helps will depend on the pond, says Dr Jeremy Biggs, director of policy and research at Pond Conservation.
"Ponds that have a lot of plants under the water are more likely to have higher oxygen levels because the plants go on photosynthesising.
"And ponds that are quite shallow will too, because a higher proportion of the volume of the pond is generating oxygen."
Beyond brushing snow off the surface to allow light through for photosynthesis, pond owners are best advised to do nothing, he says, because breaking a hole will have a negligible effect.
But new research by environmental group Pond Conservation suggests oxygen levels could actually be higher in a pond that is frozen over.
How much it helps will depend on the pond, says Dr Jeremy Biggs, director of policy and research at Pond Conservation.
"Ponds that have a lot of plants under the water are more likely to have higher oxygen levels because the plants go on photosynthesising.
"And ponds that are quite shallow will too, because a higher proportion of the volume of the pond is generating oxygen."
Beyond brushing snow off the surface to allow light through for photosynthesis, pond owners are best advised to do nothing, he says, because breaking a hole will have a negligible effect.
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