Pond De-Icers
Special preparations are required for garden fishponds in cold regions. The freezing winter weather absolutely means life sentencing the fish. For safety, check all PVC piping connections for loose fitting or leaks. Start to vacuum debris from the pond. Please make sure that bottom part is included. Start to store tropical water lilies and other delicate plants of the garden pond indoors.
The most important preparation is to install a thermostatically controlled floating pond deicer to ensure continuous supply of air during the winter season. One of the serious problems encountered during cold season is reduced oxygen concentration which affects survivability of the fish. Thermo pond deicer could very well deal with the problem. De-icing heaters float on pond surface and maintains a very small opening only. This is a significant characteristic of any pond de-icer.
You may leave some of the plants in the pond if the roots are below the ice line. An electric pond deicer avoids accumulation of trapped gases produced by decaying organic matter. The hole in the ice actually helps proper gas exchange and prevents toxic gas build up. It is safe even with pond liners. So even if weather reports are promising warm temperature, it is wise to continue using the pond deicer to maintain the temperature below the water surface. The reward for the winter care will be early and fast growth of the plants in spring. Once the danger of freezing passes, you may remove your pond deicers. However you may help insulate the garden pond by putting Styrofoam, newspaper, straw, or bubble wrap over it.
One thermo pond deicer may cover approximately 1000 gallons. But for excessive plant decay and bigger fish population and sizes, 750 gallons may be recommended. Pond de-icers use only 100 watts. The unit is designed to keep a 12 in. hole. It is very easy to use. Just plug it and let it float side up. So even if the ice is already 1 to 2 inches thick, just let the thermo pond deicer melt its way through. Avoid literally chopping the ice since the shockwaves that are produce in the process are harmful to the fishes.
Ice may form around and up to the unit but never had the chance to damage it. Never move or disturb it in the entire winter. Its elevated heating element prevents direct contact and never burn liners. The unit is tested to work below 30” below zero. Chemical deicers application rates for complete undercutting is 1/8 in. thick ice. The application rates in oz/sq yd. are presented as a function of temperature and time. De-icing chemicals generate different results which more on exhibits harm to the fish than help. Never use chemicals de-icers as much as possible to keep the life of your fish longer. Small ponds may be protected by placing a PVC covered frame over part of the water. For occasional ice, slowly melt a section using a pan of hot water. From the various selections of deicers, the thermo pond de-icer is just the wisest and best selection for Koi garden ponds.
