We’ve been getting a good stream of questions asking for advice in how to use an aerator in a small pond or water garden during the winter months.
Oxygen is useful in any pond at any time of course, but for winter use, the real goal of having an aerator running is to help to keep a spot of water open and free of ice build up. You can use a pond deicer for this work, but aerators can be really useful in moderately cold temps and as some people have noted they can cost a lot less to operate when compared to the higher wattage deicers.
For anyone who’s read anything on this blog, you no doubt have come to realize that I love beneficial pond bacteria for all that it can do.
I can’t think of any one thing that will organically work and do more to improve a pond’s environment. From nutrient reduction to limiting organic material build up, and reducing what’s there if you have a good bit already, it’s really a swiss army knife for eco-friendly pond management.
With all of this “power” you’d think it was the best thing since sliced bread. But let me cover a few of it’s drawbacks…and don’t worry this won’t take long.
First, it’s not a quick fix. I find this to be a great advantage, because it means it’s usually pretty safe to use where fish and other wildlife are concerned. But it can try a person’s patience in this day and age of instant gratification. Sadly, there’s usually trade-off’s for the quick fixes and slow and steady usually win’s the race if you can hack that route.
Second, it’s important to note that at certain times of the year, and with some blends of bacteria you’re more than likely just wasting your money if you use them at the wrong time.
Winter ponds and ice just go together. At least that’s what you expect when things get really cold. If you like ice skating it’s arrival is probably welcome.
But ice can cause a lot of problems too.
We know that when some ponds get covered with ice for extended periods of time, a lot of unwanted gases can build up (like methane for instance) and this can create problems for fish. The easy and direct solution to this issue is to simplly open up or maintain a hole in the ice so that fresh air can get in and bad gases can get out. Problem solved.
When you’re dealing with an issue like this, a good quality “standard” pond aerator will do the job. Just a single diffuser at a depth of 5 or 6 feet will create enough bubbling action at the surface to maintain open water.
But what about those situations where you need to maintain open water in larger areas?
It’s been a long hot summer throughout most of the U.S. but as we watch the colors of the leaves turn from green to shades of yellow, orange, and brown, we can finally say the worst for most ponds is over, at least as far as the heat is concerned.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that finally fall has arrived, and it won’t be long before winter will arrive. So as we usually do, it now seems appropriate to talk about how to care for your pond throughout the colder seasons.
In an effort to keep this simple, efficient, and effective, let’s address the main areas that you can focus on in regards to winter pond care to help your pond, fish, and plants get through another frosty few months.
Here’s an interesting story from a pond owner that saved one of his larger catfish from some major problems.
It seems that he noticed a basketball floating in the pond and on closer inspection found that it was looking pretty edible to one large catfish.
Upon trying to swallow the thing, it got lodged in the fish’s mouth and he apparently couldn’t dislodge it. Since the ball was filled with air, every time the fish tried to dive, it would be brought back up to the surface again.
When the fish was found, it was tired and fatigued.
The pond owner tried to help the fish out, but couldn’t get the ball out of it’s mouth simply by tugging on it.
Well ok, apparently some things aren’t fast enough to escape a hungry frog. Watch as this catepillar goes eye to eye with this frog…gives new meaning to the idea of being defiant.
