Pump and Winter question.

[Guest Ferret1959]

Do I leave the pond pump,UV and foutain on over Winter?

[chesters1]

you probably dont need the uv once the weather gets real cold as most of the nasties will have died and also avoides if the pipework to it is exposed freezing and destroying the box, make sure the box is water free,the pump can stay on but beware of pretty ice creations come morning you can buy a low temperature thermostatic switch this detects temperatures going LOWER than a set temperature and swich off instead of the usuall higher temp swich on, this can avoid the pretty ice structures if the water is shallow a pump will bring warmer (in relation to the air temperature) water to the surface where it will cool and make the temperature of the water a little colder than it would be otherwise .A pond heater is well worth getting to keep a little bit ice free ,a) for air circulation and b)also lets airbourne detritus and hardy insects fall in which the fish if not "asleep" can have a snack

and your garden friends the fluffy birdies can get a drink when their usuall bird bath is frozen to avoid poor little rodents getting stuck a little ladder can be made into the hole to allow them to escape and freeze to death in your garden with their now water sodden fur than drown in your pond

 

[ 12. December 2003, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: chesters1 ]

[peter mccue]

Quite agree with Chesters about the uv, however, if your pond is shallower than 4 foot, temp differences are negligible. Do a few checks with a thermometer with the pump off & you'll struggle to find any differences. If your pond is deeper than this, then by all means switch the pump off if you feel it's getting cold enough to start stratifying the water layers

 

If you leave your pump on, the filter bacteria are maintained in good health throughout the Winter. To be truthfull, how long has it been since we've seen the sort of extended freezing temps that are needed to cause serious ice problems with streams & ponds? It's a good few years since I've had cause to worry about ice on the pond & I live in the North East!!

[chesters1]

quote:

---

If you leave your pump on, the filter bacteria are maintained in good health throughout the Winter. To be truthfull, how long has it been since we've seen the sort of extended freezing temps that are needed to cause serious ice problems with streams & ponds? It's a good few years since I've had cause to worry about ice on the pond & I live in the North East!!

---

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO do i detect famouse last words

there is a relativly unknown law that effects myself its called GRANGERS LAW

"anything i say in response to a question ,the opposite happens or nothing at all"

i.e .i say to the head bailiff "a cormorent lands at 8.30 every morning" .....its never seen again

or i say to an angler "try swim 22 its been fishing its head off all day for 3 months"....the angler blanks ,all other swims produce

its not Sods law this effects everyone Grangers law seems to be confined to myself

[billy5000]

Hi all

 

dont forget my car (grangers law)but admititly its half my fault.

 

 

billy

[chesters1]

you are a granger ,even thinking to yourself will start it in action

[peter mccue]

Damn it all Chesters you're right, I hadn't thought that reply through had I. Anyway must go, provisions to be bought this just might be a long Winter.

[Guest Ferret1959]

Thanks peeps.