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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
        
(Message started by: Kris_in_SJ on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:31pm)

Title: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:31pm

OK - So I live in Michigan, I've bonded with my pond fish and am trying to overwinter them outside.

Someone advised me to keep a pump running so the water doesn't freeze all the way to the bottom and use a small heater to keep a hole in the surface ice.

That's what I've done so far.

This morning, however, I noticed the pump wasn't circulating. When I went outside, imagine my distress to find one of my VERY sluggish fish had been sucked to the intake vent of the pump! I was able to free him/her with the net and the stupid fish is actually still alive - but now I'm afraid to turn the pump back on for fear this will happen again.

Very long story, made a little less long. Any advice?

Kris

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Jonny on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:46pm

Sorry, this is all I could come up with real quick....I will search some more.

Popsicle Toes and Fishes!

Some folks whose ponds are too shallow, too exposed to the elements… and find themselves in very inclement weather, are faced with the possibility of their pond freezing all the way to the bottom. This is very bad for your plant and fish livestock. If you are uncertain whether your pond may freeze altogether, it’s a very good idea to remove and store your livestock in another setting (garage, sunroom…) in a large-enough, covered, filtered kiddie wading pool or such rather than risk their becoming non-living ice-cubes.

An alternate strategy is employing various means to keep a good part (a couple of feet plus) of the bottom liquid… by covering the pond with straw, perhaps erecting a plastic dome, securing some sort of heat source (floating heater…), possibly using a fountain and pump during winter… to allow circulation and aeration at an open area of the pond. Several types of devices are available and offered by pond supply companies that can be visited (if you’re luckily situated nearby) or ordered through catalogs or the Internet.

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by pattik on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:51pm

Kris, I don't know how many fish you have, but here in Wisconsin, many people who raise koi actually board them for the winter at pet stores that sell fish. You may want to look into this possibility where you live. :-/

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by burnt-toast on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:53pm

Is is possible to put a small mesh screen around the intake for the pump leaving an inch or two clearance so the lethargic fish can't get caught in the suction?

Tom

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:55pm

on 12/12/05 at 20:51:20, pattik wrote:

I bet packing thier little suit cases is a hoot. ;;D

Tom's idea should work to stop them getting sucked in.

Barry

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by broomhilda on Dec 12^th, 2005, 8:58pm

Kris, my sister brings her fish from the pond into a larger tank into her home for the winter, good luck and keep us posted!

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by totka2 on Dec 12^th, 2005, 11:32pm

We use a heater and a basket over the leak 'cos our cats love ice-fishing ;;D

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Mr. Happy on Dec 12^th, 2005, 11:40pm

on 12/12/05 at 20:31:22, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

Very long story, made a little less long. Any advice?

Turn the water off, and check back in April. If they're still swimming, you got a winning program. Boarding them for the winter is plain fucking nuts. You'd be better off eating them.

Just don't name `em first.
RJ

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by cootie on Dec 12^th, 2005, 11:42pm

My freinds have a big tank they set up in the basement and bring the fish in there for the winter. Suppose it depends on how DEEP your pond is to wether it will freeze up solid or not and kill them......fish sticks to go Pam

Sounds like a cruel way to go............

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Dec 13^th, 2005, 12:14am

First, you need a floating heater that will keep a hole open in the top of the ice to allow dangerous gases to escape. vergitation on the bottom will continue to rot (although at a slower pace) and will kill them if the top freezes over completely for too long.

2nd, do NOT use a pump that will bring the water from the bottom, to the top (like in a water fall or spout). This will bring the warmer water to the top where it is below freezing, and freeze the pond solid. Keep the warmer water at the bottom where the fish are living.

If the pond isn't overcrowded, since they are in hibernation, they don't need much 02. No need to order a clustermasx for them.
On days where its warm enough (above freezing) you could add a little water now and them. Just don't dump a bucket of HOT water in there.

If the pond is on the small side, its easy to pick up some netting that you could cover the pond with. you could cover the pond around the sides (leave the center open for sunlight that will warm the water below the ice) with leaves. This will stop some of the cold air from blowing across the top of the ice, freezing it deeper.

In the midwest, you really need to be 36 inches deep to make sure you won't freeze through. If you're 36-42 inches deep, you probably don't need to worry about anything at all.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/psiloscribe/pondfish2.jpg

Don't forget....do not feed them until it's 50 degrees again!!

Bobw

Title: Re: Help from other Pond Fish Owners?
Post by Mr. Happy on Dec 13^th, 2005, 12:19am

on 12/13/05 at 00:14:37, Pinkfloyd wrote:

No need to order a clustermasx (http://clustermasx.com) for them.

This thread has achieved social redeeming value. The judges give two thumbs up.

++
RJ