How is your winter set up coming?

[carcha koi]

If and when people have time, please post with pics if possible their winter set ups. I think it is a great idea to see different ideas and designs.

[philly]

Haven't done a thing yet but I'm leaning towards putting Styrofoam on top of the pond. :grin:

[marla]

Well I have all my lilies and most of my marginals cut back.....Usually I wait and do the cattails and tall grass till after it freezes. Jerry wanted to close down the falls/skimmer and blow the lines before Thanksgiving as our out of town kids and grandkids will be here for the holiday and this is usually when we do it.....but he has been working weekends cause so many are gone for deer hunting, so it may have to wait till the first weekend in Dec. The last time we closed that late it was Dec. 3 and on the 2nd we got 12" of snow overnight. Made for some very pretty pictures of the falls and snow surround, but a very cold shut down. Thinking of putting in 2 small pumps this year to keep holes in the ice as the fish are so much bigger and the holes do tend to get small at times

[Jackie Ramo]

The weather forecast here for the next week is wonderful, about 50F each day with a bit of rain but mostly sunny. Of course that makes us procrastinate about doing things. I put the vac in the shed so doubt I'll be motivated to pull it out again unless things look bad. I am wondering if I should run the notsoeasy pod all winter... probably not as I think the 3 flows into the pond will be too much for the fish. Supposed to be a colder than normal winter when it gets here. Lots to do outside but more to do inside.... only one of me.

[Marg]

:yup: Yesterday on our way home from Cambridge, we saw ice at the sides of waterways..ditches, ponds if it was in shade and calm water.:banghead:

We are talking about taking the pump out soon. Hate to do it with the warmer days still coming.:crybaby: We are good procrastinators.
Marg

[philly]

Who doesn't procrastinate at some time or another it's just that some of us { Me } does it all the time in the end we pay dearly for it. :lol:

[carcha koi]

Still have more to do. Just put plastic wrap around the sides. Hoping to help keep the heat in and wind out. Raised a section or 2 to help with heat and air exchange.
The pond that is not covered has iced up. Cold nights.

[Jackie Ramo]

Fish are closer to the bottom. I moved the output of the filter so it ran across the top and second shelves, the fish moved to be in the current....

[carcha koi]

Covered pond now as it has been getting cold now. A few flakes came down the other day. Fish are still active and very hungry. Wanted to hold the heat it for a few more weeks so I can still see and feed them. Have a few spots still open.

[Ahhuhz]

Mine looks the same winter/summer. Check out the Heron Chaser in the background.

[carcha koi]

Maybe in 5-10 years I will be able to say the same. Thinking of doing the retirement thing somewhere in the South, Arizona, Carolina's, Georgia. Some where I don't have to think of Snow and property is not out of reach $$.

[Ahhuhz]

We love it here in Georgia. July & August are very hot but the rest of the year is great!

[marla]

Wish I could bring some in....still working on Jerry for an indoor pond or maybe a fish house....no luck yet so the fish will again have to take their chances in the cold...we are going to add a heater to the end they normaly winter and some extra aeration.
Would LOVE to move somewhere warmer, in a flash....but will have to wait till Death do us part...I'll be someplace warmer one way or another:HAHA:

[Jackie Ramo]

Well certainly I am looking for a warm hereafter Marla but I doubt we are going to the same place as you are an angel.

[clm]

All we do for winter the last few years is remove the intake hoses from the filters and have them discharge directly back into the pond to keep good size holes open in the ice. Won't do that until we have consistently freezing temps. It's more fun to disconnect those hoses with your hands freezing. :HAHA:
We will also fence the pond to keep the dogs off the ice.

I sure hope we don't have a colder than normal winter. Last winter was a lot less snow than normal, but it was still mighty cold. I remember going out in January and February for a number of days each of those months, with 5 gallon pails of hot water to open up the holes in the ice as the pump discharges could not keep the holes large enough in the extreme cold. It's a long way to that pond hauling 5 gallon pails of hot water. :HAHA:

The sand on the bottom of the pond makes it easier to net stuff out to keep it clean, so any algae and leaves on the bottom are netted out regularily through the season, so the bottom is clean. Been netting out lily pads almost daily now as they die back. Have cut all the large marginals around the two sides back to 18" tall now. The bullrushes, loosestrife and hibiscus were all huge and too tall to control with a snow load, so I hacked them back last week.

Pond hasn't dropped below 54 yet. Below 55 and the fish stick pretty close to the bottom. They have been coming up to feed in the evenings and do get fed if the water is above 55. Yesterday the pond hit 60 again and I expect it will stay in the 60's the next few days. They were a lot more active yesterday for sure.

Removed the planters from the raft on Sunday. Have left the naked raft in the pond though. The fish like to have it for cover, although once the water gets below 50, then spend the winter on the bottom around the lily pots where it's so much harder to keep a good eye on them in the really cold water.:banghead:

clm

[Marg]

DH and I have cleaned the pond, taking out as much of the stems and leaves as possible. Our pond has been under attack from the heron almost every day since he got some of our koi. More of our fence posts are strung with 40 pound fishing line too.

We have three sheets of styrofoam floating on top and ziptied together to give them a place to hide. Hopefully, this will keep the koi safer and some heat in as well when the temps go down. We had one sheet the last two years.

The pump is still going, although the filters have been taken out. It will stay in till ice starts forming and then we will revert to the deicer and a bubbler down part way. Pond temp is 65 today.

We are on guard for more heron visits till the ice comes. :mad:

All of my perennials are cut back and I am finally done.:yup:

Glad to have that all done before it got really cold.

How is everyone else doing? Hopefully you are almost finished as well.
:greatday:

Marg

[Jackie Ramo]

I should have been out doing mine today but .... well I'll be doing it when the snow flies I think

[marla]

got a good vacuum on the lily pond but couldn't bring myself to cut off all the lily pads and buds, so I will be back in
will have to do another vacuum yet on the main pond but most things in there are cut back
Have so many little leaves, seeds and even spruce needles this year due to the wind the last few days....and we have nets on.

[Jackie Ramo]

I hope we still have good weather next week as that is when I will be able to get the pond work done. Do need to at least clear the skimmer today it is full of leaves.

[luke frisbee]

Covered pond now as it has been getting cold now. A few flakes came down the other day. Fish are still active and very hungry. Wanted to hold the heat it for a few more weeks so I can still see and feed them. Have a few spots still open.

So you're willing to tell us that you missed showing us the first flakes of Winter..I hope at least a few of you start documenting what a wonderful event happens each year through pictures ....come on SHARE

[luke frisbee]

Mine looks the same winter/summer. Check out the Heron Chaser in the background.

prove it...I don't think so....Winter is in just two months

[Marg]

So you're willing to tell us that you missed showing us the first flakes of Winter..I hope at least a few of you start documenting what a wonderful event happens each year through pictures ....come on SHARE

Those first flakes looked more like a heavy frost here. Not much to show. They didn't stay and now pictures wouldn't capture the very brisk winds we are having.

Usually the first snow comes around the middle of November. That's soon enough.

[luke frisbee]

:har::har:work on your photography skills...by taking pictures that are challenging

[Peg]

Sorry no update pics for me for awhile. Had to loan Amber my camera, she was doing a photo shoot for school when a huge gust of wind took out her tripod and camera. So off it went to see if it can be repaired or scrapped. Will update when I can. Koi are doing well though :)

[Jackie Ramo]

Bummer for Amber. How is she liking school and being away from Mom?

[carcha koi]

The Covered main pond is doing well. Fish are still feeding and active. (worms and fall feed.) Water is still around 50F (49.4). Temp has been -7C for the last 2 nights. Uncovered ponds are frozen over.(thin layer) Shut down my falls 5 days ago. Have only one pump going and 2 filters plus a air pump.
Thinking of putting a small light bulb inside a container where the air pump is. What are your thoughts that it will pump warm air in so I am not pumping cold air in. Will it make any difference? Trying not to use my aqaurium heaters as they cost too much. Any thoughts?

[Jackie Ramo]

For myself, I don't think it would make much difference but it may stop the air line from icing up, which I have read about. We've had 3 hard frosts now and there is ice on the totem pond. Winter Yuck!

[Marg]

Ice? You have ice?
My pond is staying above 50'. I'm hoping to avoid it at least another week.

Next week looks like it will be decent as well. My pump is still going for now.
The fish are still looking for food in the afternoons.

Marg

[Peg]

Bummer for Amber. How is she liking school and being away from Mom?

She is loving school. The only time she misses me is when she needs something.:lol::lol:
Pond is covered and all the pumps are still running, still sitting at fifty but the boys could care less about food they are enjoying the salad.

[Marg]

Guess our decent weather is coming to an end.:crybaby:
We had below zero temps and saw S*&&^&^$$* this week.
Time to put in the deicer and bubbler.:(

Am I the first? Certainly not the last......
Guess we missed the warm opportunity to put up Xmas lights too:roll:

Hope it isn't too chilly tomorrow.
Marg

[Peg]

Cold and cloudy here today. Time to shut down all the pumps and the bottom drain. The only pump running will be in the skimmer for a small return to the pond. That's one nice thing about the cover over the pond, I get to stay out of the wind :) Longest part is the final filter cleaning :( Ambers home this weekend with my camera so I'll try to get a few pics.

[Ahhuhz]

prove it...I don't think so....Winter is in just two months

Still 61 in my pond Luke. Air temps gonna be 70 all week. I love the South!

[luke frisbee]

to all of you
THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL PHOTOS

[Marg]

:-? 7*F :eeeeek: Wow! Now the snow is going to crunch!:snow:
I will be keeping an eye on my pond.

[carcha koi]

Still an opening. -20C without windchill. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Warmed right up to -15C now:roll:

[Jackie Ramo]

Nice to live in the south, a balmy 16F here

[Koidaddy]

My fish are nice and toasty.... They were munchin on some peas late last night, which they LOVE!! Also did a nice water change yesterday - Water is crystal clear!

KD
:grin:

[philly]

OK buddy rub it in as you know most of our ponds are frozen so am I had to work outside last 2 days wish I was in the Bahamas. :banghead:

[Marg]

Does your ice have a hole in it yet, Philly?
They need it now.:yup:

[philly]

Did have it open a few days ago as I added some water a small change compared to what they use to get, have to go out with some hot water again, probably have to buy another air pump as this one seems to be losing it's air flow capacity. :banghead:

[Koidaddy]

Does your ice have a hole in it yet, Philly?
They need it now.:yup:

Marg, No hole in his pond, as it's currently in his head!!!!!:grin:

[philly]

Marg, No hole in his pond, as it's currently in his head!!!!!:grin:

KD, the hole in that area is for venting. :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Men are not allowed to vent, that is for women only.!!

[philly]

Equality my dear. :frisbee:

[flywheel]

Here is an easy cheap way to keep a hole open in your pond. Can't really tell from photos but there are about 2 dozen pencil sized holes in the plywood to allow moisture to escape and not blow out the 40 watt lightbulb. The plywood is siliconed to the innertube. I used it for 2 years with 0 problems, now the koi come inside for the winter. Very cheap to operate also.

[philly]

I should have done something like that instead of playing around with the air-stone which get plugged, that will be my project at work on Monday but will use Plexiglas so I can have a peek inside. :thumbsup:

[flywheel]

I like the plexiglass idea, I had a couple bulbs "pop" when I would check it from a drop of water hitting them when hot. I did learn to unplug it and give it a few minutes to cool before moving it around. Also thought about adding another tube to get the electricity a little farther from the water. Lets see pics of yours with plexiglass when you get it done and operating.

[philly]

The double tube is good insurance preventing the bulb being too close to the water. I will have to get 2 tubes and fill them both with nitrogen gas as that type of gas does not change very much in hot or cold weather and holds no moisture, will take a few pics of course I will have to get Jackie to post it for me not being too computer savvy you know. :HAHA:

[Marg]

Why not do what is posted here
http://backyardpuddle.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104&highlight=tote

[carcha koi]

Still -28C and have openings in the pond. Can't see the fish but I am pretty sure they are fine. Lots of insulation to protect them from the sharp temps.

[philly]

Why not do what is posted here
http://backyardpuddle.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104&highlight=tote

Thanks Marg some great ideas, now you got me thinking hope it doesn't damage any of my brain cells or what is left of them. :lol:

[philly]

Still -28C and have openings in the pond. Can't see the fish but I am pretty sure they are fine. Lots of insulation to protect them from the sharp temps.

You can keep those temp up your way it's about -17c and it's cold as the dickens, :brrr: maybe I'm just getting older and need the warmer climate to enjoy life will have to think about moving somewhere warmer like Aruba. :grin:

[Marg]

Still -28C and have openings in the pond. Can't see the fish but I am pretty sure they are fine. Lots of insulation to protect them from the sharp temps.

-28C or -18.4F outside in the air. You leave your ponds covered with styrofoam and snow...correct?

We have put three adjoining sheets of pink styrofoam on this year, up from part of a sheet, the last two years. So far my temps have stayed around 44.6*F or 7*C. This surprises but pleases me. I hope this continues. Our last remote thermometer died so this is a new one this winter. It is reading the air temperature outside correctly so I think down in the pond is correct.

There also seems to be more snow this winter. I could not see the pond deicer due to the heavy snowfall and so moved the snow off of it. It was floating free with a large area of open water, under a shelf of snow. Beside this, where the bubbler tries to keep an area open, is an area of water covered in ice. This freezes and thaws, opens and closes because it is exposed to the air.


On another site, someone said you should scrape off the snow due to it affecting the water quality......do you? I feel it keeps the temperature moderated.

When things start to melt in the Spring, do you clean it off?

What do other members do?

[flywheel]

Why not do what is posted here
http://backyardpuddle.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104&highlight=tote

That unit works very well also. Both same principle, flotation ring is basically different shape and material, pvc pipe version is more durable but looks more time consuming to build. Cost difference to build I'm sure is slightly higher as well. Depends also what you have laying around or readily available. Greg brings his fish all in for the winter so he doesn't use one anymore either. That's the best option!

[Jackie Ramo]

I never clear the snow off the pond, it acts as insulation and keeps it dark so the fish are not stressed. Right now holes are opening up in the pond with the warm temps.

[Marg]

I never clear the snow off the pond, it acts as insulation and keeps it dark so the fish are not stressed. Right now holes are opening up in the pond with the warm temps.

Good to hear you say what I thought!
Do you have a thermometer in your pond Jackie?

[Jackie Ramo]

Only in the inside pond. After two remote ones breaking after a few months I decided I didn't really need to know what the temp outside was, other than 'man that's cold'!

[Koidaddy]

Ja Kay, Hope your fishies are ok!
:grin:

[Jackie Ramo]

The fish were fine when I saw them about a week ago, may get to see them again next week. Spring is a more stressful time than now for them.

Old Tweet got a 60% water change today.... I need to learn to focus on what I am doing and not wander off

[annie]

The fish were fine when I saw them about a week ago, may get to see them again next week. Spring is a more stressful time than now for them.

Old Tweet got a 60% water change today.... I need to learn to focus on what I am doing and not wander off

Lol...when you get that focusing thing figured out can you let me in on your secret!:grin: