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Rockworld Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 54 Location: KILDARE
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:05 am Post subject: Frozen pond |
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Hi all
Having seen upto 2 inches (60mm) of ice on ponds over the last week, its time for all pond owners with fish to be aware of the dangers of a frozen pond. If ice forms over the entire surface of the pond there is a real possibility that fish will die. This is because
1.the ice blocks oxygen entering the pond (fish need oxygen)
2. rotting debris etc below the ice cause gases produced to be trapped below the ice.
So we need to keep an area of the pond surface free of ice. Thermostatically controlled pond heaters are a extremely cost effective method of maintaining an area free of ice.
Alternatively running a stream or waterfall will also work once the water continues running constantly. _________________ Happy aquascaping |
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medieval knievel Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 1010
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:10 am Post subject: |
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where do you live?
i've not seen much more than a couple of mm of ice on puddles in dublin! |
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Rockworld Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 54 Location: KILDARE
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: |
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medieval knievel wrote: | where do you live?
i've not seen much more than a couple of mm of ice on puddles in dublin! |
Hi medievel knieval, Whilst I'm not trying to turn this post into a weather report, 60mm measured on Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12th in Kildare on 4 seperate ponds. The ice has melted today.
The point is not how thick the ice is, rather the fact that permanent ice over the entire surface of a pond acts as barrier. This ice barrier traps harmful gases below and prevents oxygen entering. Prevention is better than cure. My point is to alert people to the possibility of dangers to their fish from a frozen pond.
For those who have no pond ice preventor and find themselves with a frozen pond it is important to keep an area ice free. One tip is to melt an area of surface ice using hot water in a pvc bowl. Make sure the bowl floats though, or else use a saucepan with a string attached so you can get it out again without hassle. Avoid cracking ice open and naturally do not add car anti-freeze to a pond with plants or fish.
So we cant predict the weather, these are just a few tips in case of ice. _________________ Happy aquascaping |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3131 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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We had 61mm is that a record any chance of snow or do you think it could freeze again, we had a whale keeping ours open opps it was a wheel with a puncture silly me. |
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Rockworld Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 54 Location: KILDARE
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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Greengage wrote: | We had 61mm is that a record any chance of snow or do you think it could freeze again, we had a whale keeping ours open opps it was a wheel with a puncture silly me. | Yes Greengage you got the record, congratulations  _________________ Happy aquascaping |
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Rockworld Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 54 Location: KILDARE
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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Greengage wrote: | We had 61mm is that a record any chance of snow or do you think it could freeze again, we had a whale keeping ours open opps it was a wheel with a puncture silly me. | Yes Greengage you got the record, congratulations  _________________ Happy aquascaping |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3131 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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I was only winding you up iits colder out there in Allenwood by the schew bridge |
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djh Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 33 Location: Co Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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It is probably better to use a small oxygenator pump to keep an area clear of ice. |
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