How do U winterize a 280 gal. pond (has no fish) in Central Ontario, Canada (lots of snow, to -30 degrees C)?

Answer 1

does the pond have any pumps or filters in it??? If not then let it freeze solid won't hurt anything............if it has then you will need to empty the wtr out of the pond and get the wtr out of the pumps any lines(use air pressure) then put anti freeze in the lines to keep them from freezing and breaking the lines..............no pumps---------------no problem good luck eh

Answer 2

You could use a bunch of RV antifreeze (it's pink and in the camping section generally). It should keep it from freezing, but you'll have to flush and refill it in the spring.

Or, lower the water level by 20% (to allow for ice expansion).
Take out anything that would be damaged (crushed) by ice.
As someone else said, I'd think that pumps would be the main thing. Also anything that has or might have air trapped in it (some kind of ornament is all I can think of).

It's going to be a slow enough freezing that I think that all of the ice pressure will be fairly equal.

To keep it open, constant agitation is cheaper than heating it.
They make such devices that are wind-powered (and look pretty much like an old windmill) for ponds w/o electricy.

Also, air bubbles will keep the immediate area unfrozen.

I'm trying to compare this mentally with my 75 gallon aquarium.

I'd check into the air bubblers to keep the water moving.
One would probably be enough. They look usually like a 1 foot circle (a circular airstone basically).

Might need to winterize the air pump, depending on type you have. Putting it in a box with a light bulb would be enough.

Leaving a fountain on low would also keep it from freezing.

If there are no plants, I would just drain it, or drain it low enough to hold the shape in the liner.

Is there a particular reason you would not want to drain it?

Answer 3

if for h2o supply, the surface pumps come with heaters to keep floating not ice jambed!