outdoor ponds

[Mrs.Smellslikefish]

this may sound like a stupid question but i'm curious. how do people keep their outdoor pond fish from dying in the winter. we have cold winters in southern illinois, nothing arctic but cold, definately below freezing a lot. i figure heaters but what do you use with a foot or two of ice or snow? i like outdoor ponds but i'm afraid it's impossible with cold winters. thanks for any and all advice and info

 

[Fly River]

I have no clue. I live in San Diego and it never gets that cold here. I have a 800 w heater in mine and I cover the pond at night when it gets cold.

 

[Muske]

If it is just Goldfish and Koi or natives, just keep a hole in the ice. This can be done several ways. If you can, let the pond run 24/7/365. That's as long as it does not splash very much when it enters the water. A cow trough heater is really popular option. A small pump, set on bricks just below the surface, will not allow the ice to form. Some people also use a large air stone (4"), this to keeps an area open. And lastly, a heater, but this is the most expensive.

 

[hankn]

In general, the fish kind of hibernate under the ice, provided the pond is deep enough and as Muske has stated that an air-hole is maintained for escaping gases and oxygen exchange.

 

[Mrs.Smellslikefish]

how deep would be deep enough? besides koi and goldfish are there any other fish that can go in an outdoor pond? i would love to see some pics of peoples outdoor ponds. thank you very much for the advice and any future advice!

 

[Red Devil]

how deep would be deep enough? besides koi and goldfish are there any other fish that can go in an outdoor pond? i would love to see some pics of peoples outdoor ponds. thank you very much for the advice and any future advice!

i think the pond should be about 4 feet deep or below the freeze line in your area.. i tried all this with keeping the open hole in the snow on top.. those floating heater devices always gave me trouble... and i would find them not working properly.. so i decided to bring mine in for the winter.. i just put them in the same pond {300 gal rubbermaid } that i use for a pond in the summer outside.. they do fine all winter in the indoor pond with filter {goldies do not need heater} and then spring i put them all out again..

 

[Muske]

24" is the minimum. At that depth fish will be safe, provided a hole is left open, in USDA Zone 4. Zone 4 is Minnesota, so Saluki ville will be OK.

For pics, go to the sticky...

 

[Mrs.Smellslikefish]

wow the pics are gorgeous, almost makes all the money it would cost worth it, if you see smellslikefishes posts (my husband) you'll see i'm a little tight with money but all the gorgeous pics of ponds really make me want one! thanks for all the pics and advice!

 

[Muske]

Do it....

The winter will be a good time to plan and purchase supplies, prrobally at lower costs, to be ready for spring.

 

[jasoneri]

The only thing you really need is a floating heater and a small airation kit. Thermo-Pond makes a nice heater. It just keeps a small hole in the ice and that is all you need. The airator just drops inside the hole at the top. Down about 8". And it's only 100watts. The ice accually insulates the water at the bottom so it stays a little warmer. I got all my stuff from eponds.com.