Im building a outdoor pond this spring. I would like to keep the pond going all winter but Im not sure what I need to do. I know I need it to be fairly deep but I wasnt sure if the pond is ok to freeze over or not. I have a 24 inch albino channel cat that I would like to put in the pond permanently and a couple big koi. I own a backhoe so digging the pond wont be hard. I would like to hear some experience from people that have ponds in the great white north!!!
outdoor pond in canada
- Thread starter Garlover
- Start date
You'll need to go deep.
Here in Northern Illinois, we need to be over 2 feet deep to avoid a total freeze. In your area, that will be even deeper. You also need to plan on keeping the ice open all winter. Just a hole for gas exchange. We can use donut type heaters. I'm not sure how you would do that.
My pond is too shallow, so my fish come inside in the winter. I set up a livestock tank in the garage. I used an aquarium filter and a large submersible heater.
Here in Northern Illinois, we need to be over 2 feet deep to avoid a total freeze. In your area, that will be even deeper. You also need to plan on keeping the ice open all winter. Just a hole for gas exchange. We can use donut type heaters. I'm not sure how you would do that.
My pond is too shallow, so my fish come inside in the winter. I set up a livestock tank in the garage. I used an aquarium filter and a large submersible heater.
We dig tons of ponds at the store, mostly in the Toronto area. I'd go at least 4 feet deep. You must also keep a hole in the ice somehow, to allow CO2 to escape. I'd use a pond heater/air bubbler combo, like you'd have around a dock or boathouse to keep the ice from damaging in.
Thanks guys. Im thinking of digging it aroundthe 6 foot moark or so. Is it nessecary to use pond liner if the hole I dig holds water? I have a bit of a wet spart in my yard I was thinking of putting the pond. It seems to hold alittle bit of water all year. I was sure if putting pond liner where the ground is always soft would be a good thing or not. I havent made my final decision as to where the pond will go.
I would def. use a liner. To many variables to risk lossing fish and water w/o a liner. Might not have to go 6' either, 4' should be sufficent and would allow for a larger dia. pond.
Winter care is easy provided a small hole in the ice remains. This can be done several ways. A small pump can do it, a decent air pump will also do the trick. Or do as Simon said and use a combo of both. I hate using floating de-icers. I myself have never had one work properly, but not to say they all su*k, I just don't trust them. There are corrosion issues and the ones with plastic housing can crack. There are newer stainless steel models that are supposed to address those issues, but the don't come out til fall of this year.
If putting the pond in an area that is constantly wet, you should consider a pressure relief valve in the bottom. This will prevent liner lift down the road.
Winter care is easy provided a small hole in the ice remains. This can be done several ways. A small pump can do it, a decent air pump will also do the trick. Or do as Simon said and use a combo of both. I hate using floating de-icers. I myself have never had one work properly, but not to say they all su*k, I just don't trust them. There are corrosion issues and the ones with plastic housing can crack. There are newer stainless steel models that are supposed to address those issues, but the don't come out til fall of this year.
If putting the pond in an area that is constantly wet, you should consider a pressure relief valve in the bottom. This will prevent liner lift down the road.
Once the snow goes Im going to make the final position. I want to get everything else thought of before I start digging. Im probably going to do a diy filter and probably tie in a uv somewhere. Is there any cheap places to get liner in Ontario?
not to hijack but i am in minnesota and have been thinking about an outdoor pond and would like to keep fish in it all year round. My question is tho what fish are you able to keep there im not a huge fan of koi i was thinking maybe some cats but what else is there?
Im not sure what species your allowed either. Im going to put my big channel cat and a couple of my gars out for the summer time. The channel cat is going to make the permanent move to the pond though