what should i do??

[demjor19]

that is why i was asking cuz we cant afford to get a bigger tank right now. and thats what i am planning on doing is getting an aerator like richard said.



about a foot. maybe more maybe alittle less.

Ok, freezing would definitely be an issue in that shallow of water. I was thinking it was more like 3' deep. I would just go with richards advice and use a somewhat powerful air stone. What are your typical winter low temps? Do you guys even get much ice?

 

[city_of_evil6661]

Ok, freezing would definitely be an issue in that shallow of water. I was thinking it was more like 3' deep. I would just go with richards advice and use a somewhat powerful air stone. What are your typical winter low temps? Do you guys even get much ice?

the lowest temps are 30 and 20s and sometime in the upper teens. and i do see a good bit of ice like early in the mornings but it melts by the afternoon. its the frrezing at night that worries me though.

 

[E_americanus]

with that shallow of a pond and that cold of temps, i would consider either getting them a deeper pond OR bringing the fish inside and into a bigger tank. if left as is they will likely freeze to death, at least that's my best guess--
--solomon

 

[city_of_evil6661]

with that shallow of a pond and that cold of temps, i would consider either getting them a deeper pond OR bringing the fish inside and into a bigger tank. if left as is they will likely freeze to death, at least that's my best guess--
--solomon

yea i really dont want him to freeze to death and i didnt raise him to that size for that to happen, you know what i mean. and with money the way it is right now i cant really invest in a bigger tank or pond/pool.

 

[demjor19]

yea i really dont want him to freeze to death and i didnt raise him to that size for that to happen, you know what i mean. and with money the way it is right now i cant really invest in a bigger tank or pond/pool.

Then i would try fabricating some type of heater or de-icer. It doesnt have to be in the 70's or anything, but i would try to keep it decently above freezing.

 

[E_americanus]

if you don't want the gar to freeze to death but can't afford the new tank or pond setup, then i would start considering getting rid of some of your smaller fishes in the 75g that could be eaten and just move it back there for the winter. the tank size is inadvisable for a fish that big, but since you can't properly house it outside and the GA winter shouldn't be horribly long, then you could likely get away with it THIS season.

if you pull it off (aka the fish survives, doesn't break its back, etc) this time around, you should look into larger quarters by the time the next winter comes as it won't work again--
--solomon

 

[demjor19]

if you don't want the gar to freeze to death but can't afford the new tank or pond setup, then i would start considering getting rid of some of your smaller fishes in the 75g that could be eaten and just move it back there for the winter. the tank size is inadvisable for a fish that big, but since you can't properly house it outside and the GA winter shouldn't be horribly long, then you could likely get away with it THIS season.

if you pull it off (aka the fish survives, doesn't break its back, etc) this time around, you should look into larger quarters by the time the next winter comes as it won't work again--
--solomon

This sounds pretty reasonable to me. None of the options are that great, but it obviously needs to be worked around.

 

[city_of_evil6661]

if you don't want the gar to freeze to death but can't afford the new tank or pond setup, then i would start considering getting rid of some of your smaller fishes in the 75g that could be eaten and just move it back there for the winter. the tank size is inadvisable for a fish that big, but since you can't properly house it outside and the GA winter shouldn't be horribly long, then you could likely get away with it THIS season.

if you pull it off (aka the fish survives, doesn't break its back, etc) this time around, you should look into larger quarters by the time the next winter comes as it won't work again--
--solomon

that is probably what i will end up doing. i will just wait until it starts getting colder outside before i move him and possibly getting a bigger tank at tax time in february for him and the other 2 gars. i know the 75 is very inadvisable and would never suggest this to anyone but under these conditions of keeping him alive it might be best for right now. and if i dont have a bigger tank i will move back outside as soon as it starts warming up. BTW thanks for the help.

 

[perfect_prefect]

i would say to get 2 powerheads and 2 submersibly heaters, 200-300 watts each and 2 pieces of pvc that the heaters will fit inside. attach the powerheads to the pvc at one end and slide the heaters in from the other end and then set them in the pool. should keep it above freezing maybe not by much but above if you put them at opposite sides of the pool. an aerator will help the process also but i think the 2 heaters and powerheads should be plenty. if financially that is too much go with 1 powerhead, 2 heaters, 2 pieces of pvc and a pvc Y. you get the picture, just to make sure the water is fully circulated over and around the heating elemants.