how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity

how to keep a large pond from freezing (Winterizing Your Koi Pond)

how to keep a large pond from freezing The snow, ice, and surrounding earth will help insulate your pond from the frigid air. 5. De-Icer: If your pond threatens to freeze completely, you may need to install a de-icer to keep at least part of the water above freezing. Your fish will need a few feet of liquid water in the pond throughout the winter.

Another way of preventing freezing ponds is to try and keep the water moving as much as possible. Using a small pump, with an air stone, will help, especially if your winters don’t drop further than – 10 F

Final Tips To Prevent Ponds Freezing Over · Keep your filter maintained and working, while adjusting the stream to help create a warmer patch

what should i do to prep my koi pond for winter

Here is the list of Koi pond types of equipment you need to prepare for winterizing your koi pond.

[table id=5 /]

The first Item in the list above is Pond de icer

Danner Manufacturing, Inc. Floating Pond De-Icer With 18-Foot Power Cord, 120 watt, #02175

Product description
Size:11″ x 11″ x 4″
The floating winter pond de-icer is for use in those colder locations where typical winter temperatures result in significant or long-term icing of pond surfaces.

Size: 11″ x 11″ x 4″
Made in Switzerland
Fixed Thermostatic Control
120 watts of heating power
Will not harm flexible liners or pre-formed ponds
120 watts of heating power
Extremely energy efficient
Thermostatic control reduces heating time & saves electricity
18-foot Grounded Power Cord
Will not harm flexible liners or pre-formed ponds

How does a pond de icer work?
When a pond develops a layer of ice, a deicer is used to melt a small hole in the ice allowing toxic gases to escape and oxygen to enter the pond

Next koi pond equipment needed for Winterizing Your Koi Pond is an aerator

Keep an air pump running. The air pump will keep a hole on the ice. It will de-gas your pond and also prevent ice to completely freeze your pond and for degassing.

HALF OFF PONDS Patriot Pond Subsurface Aeration System with 2.1 Cubic Feet per Minute Air Pump, 25′ Weighted Tubing, (2) 8″ Diffusers, (2) Ball Valve Manifolds and T – PAK-45K

Whisper Quiet Operation: Reliable, Oil Free and Extremely Energy Efficient
Includes: (2) 8″ Round Weighted Air Diffusers. 25′ of 3/8″ Weighted Tubing. Necessary Fittings & Hardware. Discharge Outlet: 5/8″; Cord Length 6 Feet
Output: 2.1 CFM. Maximum Depth 10’. Noise Rating (dB) 35. Volts 120. Watts 50
Frequency (Hz) 60. Dimensions (L x W x H) 10″ x 8” x 9”. (CFM = Cubic Feet Per Minute).
Indoor / Outdoor Use. 2 Year Warranty. Ships Fast and Free Ground Delivery

Product Description
pump water pond submersible fish koi outdoor electric skimmer filter garden hydroponic kit high
Patriot Pond Series Subsurface Air Pumps and Aeration Kits

The Patriot Pond Aeration Pumps are the perfect choice to create and maintain a healthy pond environment. These highly efficient, low energy pumps enhances oxygen levels and the turnover rate of the water in your water garden or fish pond.

The aerator supplies oxygen to your water feature which keep your fish happy and healthy. During the hot summer months, the Patriot Air Pump’s have an overload sensor that prevents the pump from burning out due to maintaining the needed oxygen levels to avoid oxygen-depleted water.

The Patriot Air Pump Aeration Kit is used to help break down fish waste allowing toxic gasses to harmlessly escape as well as helping prevent the pond surface from freezing over in the winter months by disrupting the water’s surface.

This is the perfect aerator to maintain and keep a healthy water feature. Turnover is very important; moving water from the bottom to the surface reduces thermal layering and helps bring debris into suspension so the filtration system can remove and treat it.

The Important of Subsurface Aeration
The aeration of ponds and lakes is a vital factor regarding the health of your feature. Dissolved oxygen is imperative for a healthy feature and to prevent pond and lake turnovers and fish kills.

Secondly, all ponds or lakes deeper than 6-7 feet will have a thermocline – a separation of cooler water on the bottom level below the thermocline containing poor oxygen

levels, high in methane, hydrogen sulfide and other toxic gases; and the top layer which is warmer and contains most of the oxygen.

Bottom aeration breaks this thermocline up to mix the water together providing oxygen to all the water by breaking the thermocline and diffusing the toxic gases to the surface for evaporation through osmosis.

Bottom aeration should be started slowly at an hour a day and steadily increasing an hour a day during daylight hours until the pond aerator is on 24 hours to prevent instant turnover and mixing of toxic gases.

Pond or lake turnover happens naturally and will happen eventually in every pond – it is just a matter of time, not if, but when.

Fish kills during a lake or pond turnover can happen overnight. Therefore, bottom aeration is so very important.

Large ponds and lakes naturally aerate through plant photosynthesis and atmospheric mixing like wind and rain.

The problem is that most ponds and lakes do not absorb or receive enough oxygen compared to how much is being used and this harms the aquatic system.

All life in the ponds or lakes needs oxygen to be healthy and prevent pond or lake turnover: the disruption of thermocline –

the separation of upper levels of water and lower levels which then mixes toxic gases, nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen,

into the oxygen rich surface water, killing and suffocating the wildlife within 24 hours or so.

The bottom aeration can work up to 40 feet or so without adding to much pressure back on the motor – psi.

Bottom aeration should be used in conjunction with beneficial bacteria except in the case of an ongoing fish kill.

Beneficial bacteria can be added once the pond or lake has adequate oxygen supplied for several weeks.

The beneficial bacteria will eat the sludge layer at the bottom reducing nutrient levels feeding the algae.

The benefits of bottom aeration are many – more oxygen which helps suffocate algae as algae breathes carbon dioxide, no thermocline which removes the chances of lake

turnover, healthier fish, healthier pond and keeps a hole open in the ice for gases to escape in winter as well as allowing water fowl and other animals to drink depending on placement of diffuser.

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity

Here are some answers from Quora.com

  • Mark Goodwillie-If you have a faucet and have public water, you can allow it to drip.

This brings in new water which comes from a pipe that is buried in the ground normally below the frost line.

That is the depth in your area that doesn’t freeze during the Winter.

Of course, in an extremely cold prolonged period, the ground can freeze to a deeper level and freeze your pipes.

If you have sunlight, put a container of water inside your car. The light will heat the air inside and keep the water from freezing.

Alex Rodd– One option is to put it near a source of heat. For instance, you could build a fire under a water tank or install steam tracing on a water pipe.

Another option is to insulate, although this can only delay freezing if the water is static.

If the water doesn’t need to be pure, you can mix it with another chemical to lower its freezing point.

A suitable antifreeze might be alcohol or glycol.

Barry Scheps-If you’re referring to the water in your PIPES, within a cool or poorly-insulated house…we used to shut off the water heater and allow the cold and hot water taps to run at a “trickle” whenever the temperature outdoors dropped into the teens or below.

That worked at my grandmother’s house during my childhood years!

If you don’t mind spending the money, you could also get your walls professionally insulated

(the insulation should be applied to the sides of the water pipes facing the OUTdoors or siding of the house!).
Naturally, this would also save you money in house-heating-cost

Winter is coming, and this will be the first Winter that you go through with your Koi pond.

Think of Winter as a down period for your pond, as less events happen during Winter then any other time.

However, there are special precautions that you need to take before Winter arrives, to ensure that your koi pond and fish survive.

Clean Up- Take about a weekend to completely go over your pond. Clean up and unwanted bulk material in and around your pond.

Inside your pond, clean up all leaves, slit, and other material from the bottom.

Also, remove any plants or flowers that will not make it through the winter. Around the pond, clean up anything that can blow into your pond, as you are not likely to notice this debris until the end of winter.

Taking the time to make sure that as much debris is removed as possible will prevent potentially harmful bacteria and parasites in the future.

Stop Feeding- You must remember to stop feeding your Koi during the winter. When fall begins and the temperatures hover around 55 to 60 degrees, only feed once a day.

Once the temperatures drop below 50 degree for the first time, stop feeding completely. Even if the temperature goes above 50 degrees, still reframe from feeding your fish.

The majority of Koi fish, when healthy and the temperature is above 50 degrees, take at least four days to completely digest food.

If you mistakenly feed your fish to late the food will not digest and will end up killing your fish. Do not mistake you Koi as hungry when they open to their mouths to you.

This is more of a learned reflex then hunger. If you are concerned about not feeding them, remember that fish eat other things besides the food you provide them, especially if your pond contains a large amount of natural plant life.

If they are at all hungry and you are not feeding them, they will fill up on this.

Check Up- Do you seasonal check up on all your equipment. This includes everything from your koi pond filtration system to your store of preventable medications.

Since the majority of ponds in the world lie dormant during the Winter, you are less likely to be able to find the products you need.

Make sure your emergency kit is ready and up to date, which should include medications, bags, nets, and your water testing kits.

Prepare For Cold Weather- Prepare for cold weather by investing in the items you will need during the summer.

Koi have been known to withstand constant temperatures as low 39 degrees, and temperatures slightly lower then 39 degrees, for short periods of time.

When buying a heater, remember to research what size you will need to adequately heat your pond during the winter, otherwise ice will still form, causing potentially dangerous amounts of gas in the water, due to it being trapped under the ice.

In extreme events, it may be a good idea to have an emergency tank inside available.

Turn Off All Water Sources- In colder temperatures, your koi pond heater will be working hard to maintain a water temperature suitable enough to keep your fish alive.

If you have water features such as waterfalls, streams, or constant moving fountains, make sure to turn them off during Winter.

These features will circulate water and constantly bring new, and cold water into your pond. With these switched off, the only water that your heater will be responsible for is the standing water in your pond.

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity how deep should a koi pond be for winter

Winters can be harsh in places where koi originate, and today’s established koi varieties are hardy enough to spend
the winter in an outdoor pond in all but the coldest climates.

An outdoor koi pond must be sufficiently deep, however, to ensure that the fish will not become trapped in any ice
that forms.

Pond heaters can help to prevent the surface from freezing over. As water temperatures drop, koi spend more time at the bottom of the pond, and start to eat less.

Young fish may be better housed in an aquarium over the winter, since spending time in this torpid state temporarily
slows their rate of growth.

Hot weather also brings its hazards. Increasing water temperature can reduce the amount of oxygen in the koi pond to dangerously low levels.

Evaporation increases and the pond is likely to require regular refilling with dechlorinated
water.

Fish should be checked more regularly for signs of disease in summer because infectious agents can multiply more quickly in warm weather.

Screening may also be required in very hot weather, to provide shade over the pond and so help to prevent pale-colored fish from suffering sunburn Canopies fashioned from bamboo matting on wooden supports are a popular
decorative option for this purpose

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity How do you keep a pond from freezing?

The snow, ice, and surrounding earth will help insulate your pond from the frigid air. De-Icer:

If your pond threatens to freeze completely, you may need to install a de-icer to keep at least part of the water above freezing.

Your koi fish will need a few feet of liquid water in the pond throughout the winter.

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity  What happens to the fish in a pond when it freezes?

It is true that some fish can spend the winter frozen in ice and come out swimming once the ice melts.

Not all fish get caught in the ice, of course. Ponds and lakes freeze from the top down, meaning that beneath the icy surface there is usually a layer of liquid water where fish swim

How deep does a koi pond need to be for the winter?

A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater.

Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid.

Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.

What happens to the fish in a pond when it freezes?

It is true that some fish can spend the winter frozen in ice and come out swimming once the ice melts. Not all fish get caught in the ice, of course.

Ponds and lakes freeze from the top down, meaning that beneath
the icy surface there is usually a layer of liquid water where fish swim

Do you keep pond pump on in winter?

If you are in a region that does not get below-freezing temperatures
very often, you safely can leave the pond pump running all winter.

Even in a very cold climate, reasons may exist to leave the pump running. Keeping a pond pump running in winter, however, requires some winter maintenance.

At what temperature does a pond freeze?

Liquid fresh water achieves its maximum density at a temperature of 4 °C (40 °F).

This means that a pond or lake cannot freeze until the entire body
of water is cooled to 4 °C. Only then can the upper surface of the water cool to below 4 °C, and then eventually freeze.

Can koi fish survive in a frozen pond?

Koi are capable of surviving through an entire winter in a frozen
pond, provided their water has sufficient oxygen.

Poor-quality water will not sustain koi if they are frozen on top, as
they will not be able to surface in order to breathe.

Survival under ice is possible for koi; many wild populations do so.

Do fish die when the water freezes?

It is true that some fish can spend the winter frozen in ice and come out swimming once the ice melts. Not all fish get caught in the ice, of course.

Ponds and lakes freeze from the top down, meaning that beneath
the icy surface there is usually a layer of liquid water where fish swim.

Here’s a good blog also

5 Ways to Protect Koi Fish During Freezing Weather

here is the link of the blog https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-keep-koi-fish-in-a-pond-during-freezing-weather/

Ice by itself is not dangerous to koi, as long as your pond is deep enough not to freeze completely (3-5 feet or more).

The danger to fish comes with the reduced oxygen and increased toxic gases caused by the sealed over water surface.

While you could move your fish and plants to a temporary indoor tank for the winter, or install pond heaters that use a lot of energy, in many cases you can overwinter your fish outdoors with a little care. Keep in mind these tips:

1. Aeration: Have an aerator running in your pond at all times to keep the water stirred and promote the exchange of gases. An aerator is a lot more economical than a pond heater, and it will oxygenate the water while reducing ice build up.

2. Ventilation: If you’re aerating the water, all you need is a small hole or two for the bubbles to escape. You don’t need to remove the rest of the ice from the surface.

3. Balance: Koi (and many other fish) go into a sort of dormancy in the winter, using less oxygen and naturally settling to the bottom of the pond where the water is warmer. Your aerator should gently stir the water without upsetting this natural balance. Go for a steady stream of bubbles, not a rolling “boil” or strong current. If your pond is 4-5 feet or deeper, put the diffuser at the middle of the depth range (not the deepest part) so that the fish can retreat to less-disturbed deeper waters if needed.

4. Ice: Don’t break the ice in your pond by hitting it, since the force can cause shock waves that may hurt the fish. Keep an eye on your ventilation hole and remove any thin ice before it becomes thick and hard. If necessary, you can sit a full, hot teakettle on top of the ice until it melts a hole. Otherwise, let it snow! The snow, ice, and surrounding earth will help insulate your pond from the frigid air.

5. De-Icer: If your pond threatens to freeze completely, you may need to install a de-icer to keep at least part of the water above freezing. Your fish will need a few feet of liquid water in the pond throughout the winter.

how to keep a pond from freezing without electricity Further Information

koi pond winter

koi pond in winter

Fall Pond Care For Fish. Goldfish and koi are very hardy fishes; they can survive water temperatures as low as 0°C, which means they can survive in the pond during the winter as long as it doesn’t freeze solid and they have adequate water quality and oxygen. … Remove tree and plant leaves from the pond.

How deep does a koi pond need to be for winter?
3 feet
Koi ponds should be at least 3 feet deep. The ideal depth of a pond that supports a population of koi is 48 to 60 inches, although koi can survive with a minimum depth of 36 inches. That depth offers the koi protection from wading birds and also allows for a more uniform water temperature.

koi fish in winter

can koi fish survive winter in outdoor pond

Fall Pond Care For Fish. Goldfish and koi are very hardy fishes; they can survive water temperatures as low as 0°C, which means they can survive in the pond during the winter as long as it doesn’t freeze solid and they have adequate water quality and oxygen.

Can koi fish freeze and come back to life?
But you want to keep those fish alive, especially during freezing temperatures. Ice by itself is not dangerous to koi, as long as your pond is deep enough not to freeze completely (3-5 feet or more). The danger to fish comes with the reduced oxygen and increased toxic gases caused by the sealed over water surface.

koi from above

Koi from Above, oil on canvas, 15″ x 30″ COLLECTED in 2019 | Koi

A commissioned piece for a private collector. Please visit my blog to see “Details of Koi from Above.” koi fish painting for sale here

do koi fish hibernate

Hibernating Koi in Cold Fall Season Water from Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery, Inc. on Vimeo. Koi should not be fed (and in most cases will not eat) when the water gets below 50 degrees. That’s right, they don’t need to eat at all. Koi will go through your entire winter season without eating pellet food added to the pond.

Do koi fish live through the winter?
Fall Pond Care For Fish. Goldfish and koi are very hardy fishes; they can survive water temperatures as low as 0°C, which means they can survive in the pond during the winter as long as it doesn’t freeze solid and they have adequate water quality and oxygen.

Why a Pond Heater-Deicer Is Necessary

One of the most frequently asked questions in the fall-winter pond season is, “Do I need a pond heater or deicer for my pond?”  

There are several factors to consider before answering that question.  Lets take a look at what happens to a pond in the winter and when a deicer would be needed.  

In the fall, our ponds start to change with the weather.  Debris, which has settled to the bottom of the pond during the spring and summer, is now joined by hundreds of falling leaves.  

Over the winter, this debris will begin to decompose.  As they decompose, a slightly toxic gas is released that harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere after it rises to the pond surface.  

In northern locations, where the pond freezes over completely, the gases have nowhere to go and begin to build up.  

These gases can, over time, harm or even kill your fish.  To avoid the untimely demise of your favorite fish, you will want to keep a hole open in the ice to allow for the release of these gases.

     Now what you do not want to do is go out to your pond with an axe and chop away!  Many people think that this will help but what they are unknowingly doing is sending massive shock waves through the pond with each strike of the axe.  If that doesnt kill the fish outright, it will leave them brain dead.

     A better way to vent these gases is to use a floating pond deicer.  The de icer is a nearly indestructible heating unit that is fish and liner safe.

 The deicer will come with an internal temperature switch that will turn on only when the water hits below freezing and will turn off when water temperature rises to about 45 degrees.

The floating pond deicer will keep a hole in the ice.  A common-sized deicer is about 1250 Watts. 

It will maintain about an eight inch diameter hole in a 600 gallon pond.  For larger ponds, a good rule-of-thumb is to add an additional unit for each 600 gallons of water.

     To obtain the fullest benefit from your deicer you should try to install it in an area that is not exposed to high winds as cold winds can pull the heat off of the deicer thereby decreasing its effectiveness.  Many customers utilize various types of wind blocks and achieve excellent results even in windy weather.

     As a final thought, I would like to address the common misconception that a shallow pond of 12-24 inches is not good to winterize with fish in it.  

While there may be some locations where your water will freeze several inches deep your pond does not become a solid block of ice.  

The fish may perish in the frozen pond but it will likely be from the toxic gases produced by decaying matter.  

For small and shallow ponds I strongly suggest the use of a pond deicer.  A properly placed pond deicer can be the difference between life and death for our favorite Koi or goldfish.

koi ponds in winter

You can leave your Koi in the pond during the winter, as long as it is at least four feet deep. They will require less attention than keeping them in an indoor tank, but you can’t completely ignore them though. As the water in your pond gets colder, things will start to happen.
kia fish


can koi fish survive winter
koi fish ponds in winter
koi fish pond in winter
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koi pond in the winter
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koi pond heater winter

How can I heat my pond in the winter?
Winter Tasks:
Pond surface care: As winter temperatures start creating ice, you should add a pond heater. Pond heaters don’t warm the entire pond, but keep a small circular area from freezing. …
Pond filtration: Keeping your filter on if possible, or at least having some aeration, is necessary for your pet fish’s safety.

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Check out also Koi pond supplies

Learn more about koi pond

  1. what to do with koi ponds in winter

    Danner Manufacturing, Inc. Floating Pond De-Icer With 18-Foot Power Cord, 120 watt, #02175

    There are several ways to take care of your Koi in the winter: Setting up a tank in the garage or house; Moving the Koi to an indoor pond; Placing a de-icer

  2. how do koi ponds work in winter

    how do koi ponds work in winter

    In the wintertime, when the water in your pond is ice cold, the Koi fish’s metabolism slows down to a crawl. … Water reaches its densest point at 39.16°F. In the wintertime, the warmest water is at the bottom of the pond. That is why Koi spend most of their time there.

  3. can koi fish survive winter

    Can koi fish freeze and live? If a Koi is frozen in ice, then it will not survive the winter. Using winter Koi care, you will prevent your Koi pond from freezing the Koi; and thus they will survive the winter. We recommend using a Koi heater if you are in a cold environment.

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