2006-10-03 04:27:12 · 12 answers · asked by Linda H 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Go to a L&G Center or a pond supply store and get a pond heater. The good ones have a thermostat so you're not heating the water when it doesn't need it. It keeps an open hole in the ice so the fish can breathe. They cost between 30-50 bucks but your fish are worth it.
2006-10-03 04:38:32 · answer #1 · answered by college kid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think that they would freeze to death. Fish are suppose to be in the water right. Think about this. What do the fish in the ocean or a lake do? They stay there when it is winter. Even if the water is frozen, doesnt mean that the fish are. But since the pond is only 2 ft. deep then I dont know. I am no fish expert. Maybe someone else on here can give you better advice than I can. Sorry. Good Luck to you and your fishies.
2006-10-03 11:31:11 · answer #2 · answered by Katherine S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably not. You could try buying a pond heater if your pond is tiny. If it's a reasonable size just remember to float a plastic football in it when you expect freezing conditions. The water will compress the ball when it freezes and you can remove it to let air in instead of cracking the ice. Don't crack the ice as the shock may kill the fish. Most reasonable sized garden ponds don't freeze all the way through in England. Otherwise bring the fish in to an indoor aquarium over the coldest period.
2006-10-03 15:10:19 · answer #3 · answered by wendy k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Goodness, you got all sorts of answers for this one.
Seeing as you ask about freezing I will assume you live somewhere that the water may freeze.
If taking the fish indoors is not an option....??
If you have gold fish they will be OK.... even if the water freezes to the bottom of the pool. We lived in Northern British Columbia for years and the gold fish survived many a deep freeze winter.
However, if you have Koi - they need oxygen and CANNOT freeze
- you will need to purchse a pond heater - NOT a cattle water heater as that would be too warm.
You set the pond heater to cut in just above freezing so that it keeps an open area on the surface of the water and thus ensures an oxygen supply.
Do not areate, in fact turn your pump off and pull it - to prevent it from freezing. If it gets really cold and you are areating, the water will freeze above the pond and build ice sculptures. If you pump freezes you'll need a new one next year!
BTW: NEVER try to crack or break ice that forms on top of your pond as this will kill your fish.
2006-10-03 15:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by Barbados Chick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless they're tropical fish and live in a heated pool they should be OK. Fish are 'cold-blooded' which means that they adapt to whatever temperature the water is. If the pond freezes it will only be the top inch or so and the fish will lie on the bottom hibernating. If the ice stays on the pond for a long time break it up periodically so that the water can remain oxygenated and you may want to sprinkle some fish food for them. Take advice from your nearest aquatic store.
2006-10-03 11:37:04 · answer #5 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can winter fish over in just about any depth. What you need to get is a floating pond de-icer. It looks like a stock tank heater for cattle, but is liner safe and thermostatically controlled. There are a couple good models out there right now. 2 I know of are the Pond De-icer and Heated Pond Saucer by Farm Innovators (about $45 each). You still need to check them during the winter to make sure they are functioning properly.
2006-10-04 08:30:20 · answer #6 · answered by The Iceman Cometh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what type of fish are in your pond. Do you have just goldfish or koi? Or do you have tropical aquarium fish? If you have just goldfish or koi they should be okay depending on where you live. If you live in a northern state where snow is likely and it will get a good bit below freezing you will need to move them inside. If they are tropical aquarium fish you will need to move them inside regardless. If you live in a southern state make sure the water is well circulated and hook up an air pump and air stone to aerate the water during the winter and bring the water from the bottom to the top. You should also consider making your pond deeper if this is doable. 3 foot min. is a good rule of thumb to go by as it gives enough insulation from the surrounding ground to keep the fish alive to certain temperatures.
2006-10-03 14:19:45 · answer #7 · answered by Liam 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fish will be OK, as long as the whole pond doesn't freeze up solid. If your pond is small, and there is a possibility of all the water freezing up, then put an aerator in. This will cause bubbles and keeps the water moving, so it won't freeze up solid. My dad does this every year, and has had his goldfish for five years. Good Luck
2006-10-03 11:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by Average Joe 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do a google search with the words "fish ponds, winter" minus the quotation marks of course. There are several sites here with good advice on what to do for your fish pond. Good Luck
2006-10-03 14:38:01 · answer #9 · answered by swt_tulips 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will have to get a fish tank with an air tube during the winter months hopefully your fish arent to big but yes they will freeze to death much like alot of fish do in shallow lakes and rivers hope i have given you the info u need i also have a pond 10 ft circ. and only 2 ft deep the water isnt deep enough not to freeze all the way living in south dakota here so it gets plenty cold im also going to school for marine biology when fish die in lakes and rivers due to freezing its called winter kill the lake freezes solid. NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF FISH U HAVE THEY MUST BE BROUGHT IN FOR THE WINTER OR YOU WILL HAVE A FUNERAL FOR THE FISHIES
2006-10-03 11:37:53 · answer #10 · answered by rob a 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋