Class Of 2014

[Munroco]

Just been out in the cold looking at my pond by the light of a torch. Spotted half a dozen new ones, and given how dense the plants are I'm sure there will be many more. Looks like its been a good year. I usually get 4 or 5 survive each year.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Out of curiousity... new one 'whats'?  Seems that you could be referring to a wide range of critters/plants with this post.

 

[Munroco]

sorry, Baby goldfish

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Ah, well congratulations!!!

 

[Munroco]

TY using a torch at night is the easiest way to spot them. The ice cleared a few days ago so hopefully the ones who survived the winter are through the worst.

 

[Brilly91]

Always nice seeing a pond of fish pull through the winter. 
 
You got any pics of your pond on here? or got any you can share?

 

[Munroco]

I'll have a trawl through my hard disk, it doesnt look great atm, I'll try to find some pics from last summer.

 

[Brilly91]

I'll have a trawl through my hard disk, it doesnt look great atm, I'll try to find some pics from last summer.

 
Yay hope you find some  
 
I miss having a pond so much! 

 

[Munroco]

heres a few from last spring and summer

 

[sawickib]

Ever try putting in a heater for the winter?

 

[Munroco]

No, I've just let nature do its worst. Where I live in Scotland isn't as severe as a lot of other parts of the country, so its a little milder. I have had almost 1 foot of ice though on occasion but the fish seem to do fine. At its longest and widest points the pond is 16 * 10 ft so I would need an industrial size heater I think.

 

[Brilly91]

Pond looks great much prefer a pond that looks natural to an above ground brick one.
 
 

Ever try putting in a heater for the winter?

 
Imagine the electric bill, youd need a whopping great heater to make the slightest difference, I did have a heater like float that prevented ice from forming on the surface to aid in gas exchange in my pond though.  

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I think the key is that the water has to be deep enough that it doesn't freeze completely solid and the fish will be just fine.
 
 
Incidentally, its the exact properties of water and the fact that at about 4 degrees Celsius, the colder water actually becomes less dense than the rest of the water, and then the frozen water (ice) forms at the top of the pond, lake, etc. that is so amazing.  The chemical properties of water (which on the surface seems exceedingly simple) are just so complex and without these properties, life as we know it would be impossible.  Its awe inspiring when you sit back and really think about it.

 

[Brilly91]

I think the key is that the water has to be deep enough that it doesn't freeze completely solid and the fish will be just fine.
 
 
Incidentally, its the exact properties of water and the fact that at about 4 degrees Celsius, the colder water actually becomes less dense than the rest of the water, and then the frozen water (ice) forms at the top of the pond, lake, etc. that is so amazing.  The chemical properties of water (which on the surface seems exceedingly simple) are just so complex and without these properties, life as we know it would be impossible.  Its awe inspiring when you sit back and really think about it.

 
It is an amazing thing when you think about it.
 
I remember reading somewhere that a minimum of 3ft is ideal for a pond in winter (UNLESS IT WAS A DREAM) Although both ponds ive had were plenty deeper.