Just how cold can it get?

[myjohnson]

can we get some temp readings plz.

[imagirlgeek]

I moved all the Off Topic posts to a thread in the lounge called 'Fishing and cold weather'. Let's keep this thread about how to deal with your ponds when it gets cold please.

Thanks!

[imagirlgeek]

The plecos will begin to float in a couple of days if there are no heaters in the pond. I have lost many that way. Last year I put 2 300 watt heaters and they survived..

How big is your pond?

[pt lavell]

Cold rain and snow is coming down, my pond is covered in 10mm poly carbonate so most of the cold stuff is not going directly into the water supply.

Last night water temp was @59f - 9pm
This morning @ 54f - 9am
Dropped 5 degrees in 12 hrs. From all the experts advice this temp drop so fast is not good for the koi. So far no signs of stress and they are all hanging around the bottom of the pond.

[pt lavell]

Any other stats from others in the area?

[pt lavell]

I'm no expert but pouring hot water into a cold pond could have adverse effects on the well being of the Koi. You would be taking them from a certain temp that they have adjusted to and then shocking them with warmer water. Then the hot water will turn cold and then taking the fish back the other way. I have seen on the web where individuals HAVE tapped into a hot water heater for their pond. But it's a primary unit specifically for that application. Other than that I have no other clue. I am always looking for more experienced advice so by no means listen to me.

Pond temp @ 10:10am - 53.5 f and dropping
pic of the pond and my jewels @ 10am

[imagirlgeek]

It's snowing here, but nothing is sticking. I don't know what the temp is in our pond, but I peaked out and the fish are staying low. We have some large root beer plants that have grown over the pond (provide shade in the summer, and now apparently keeping snow from directly hitting the water). I'm going to set up a tub in the garage to prepare to bring them in if we need to.

[pt lavell]

It's snowing here, but nothing is sticking. I don't know what the temp is in our pond, but I peaked out and the fish are staying low. We have some large root beer plants that have grown over the pond (provide shade in the summer, and now apparently keeping snow from directly hitting the water). I'm going to set up a tub in the garage to prepare to bring them in if we need to.

Have you ever had to do the tub in the garage thing before? We don't have no other choice but to let them acclimate to the weather. Some of the smaller ones could be put into the house tank. I believe we are just going to leave them alone and let nature work itself out.

[Mzungu]

Do you guys have any other kinds of fish out in the ponds besides koi and/or goldfish?

Thank goodness they're technically a cold-water fish, so they can survive these conditions. But if there are tropicals in there I would definitely prepare to move them if needed.

I read an article a couple of years ago where a guy was detailing his pond misadventures. One thing that killed his fish was when he struck the ice over his pond to break it up, because he was worried about his fish. That's what killed them - they would have otherwise been fine if not for the reverberations underwater he caused. (What I read, and what I remember, so not firsthand experience.) Apparently they go into a sort of hibernation mode when ponds ice over.

[pt lavell]

Do you guys have any other kinds of fish out in the ponds besides koi and/or goldfish?

Thank goodness they're technically a cold-water fish, so they can survive these conditions. But if there are tropicals in there I would definitely prepare to move them if needed.

I read an article a couple of years ago where a guy was detailing his pond misadventures. One thing that killed his fish was when he struck the ice over his pond to break it up, because he was worried about his fish. That's what killed them - they would have otherwise been fine if not for the reverberations underwater he caused. (What I read, and what I remember, so not firsthand experience.) Apparently they go into a sort of hibernation mode when ponds ice over.

For me and my wife we have Koi, and Comets. What I am concerned about are the 3 Plecos we have somewhere in the pond. We can't find them anywhere? We have large caves in the rock walls of the pond that we wish were not there. 2 of the Plecos are approx 15" and have not seen them in over 1 month. We had a outdoor tank years ago and had a Pleco live there for 2 years outside. These are giving me concerns though. Any advice?

[imagirlgeek]

We have koi, shubunkin, a couple of fancy goldfish, and 1 pleco.

We've used the tub before when our roofers dropped a bunch of trash from the roof into the pond and punctured the liner :furious:(there's a thread about that ordeal).

So far, the fish look like they are doing okay. They are all staying pretty still, but I am a little worried about the sustained cold. I know I shouldn't be, I'm sure they'll be fine, but that's what I do. I worry about the well-being of my fish.

[Mzungu]

That's understandable!

I've been looking around a bit, found this:

http://muskogeephoenixonline.com/blogs/MollyDay/2009/11/your-koi-pond-in-winter.html

Says that at 43 degrees they stop eating and begin to hibernate...

[imagirlgeek]

Good find, MB. Okay, I'll stop worrying.

[Mzungu]

From http://www.pond-doctor.co.uk/longpondfreezes.html

Short term measures As already mentioned, there is no need to treat a frozen pond like a failed pump, or a leaking pond, as fortunately, time is on our side. If nothing else, to ease your mind, thaw a small hole to allow some gas-exchange by pouring some boiling water on to the ice. Ice should be thawed quietly, without banging or breaking the ice with physical force as the pressure waves and noise can shock the koi's sensory systems by stimulating their lateral line (their sixth sense which detects pressure), and their ear. (yes, koi do have ears!). Any noise that you produce is an unnecessary shock, as the koi and other pond fish will be so lifeless, that they are likely to be oblivious to the presence of ice several feet above their heads.

Apparently the big concern when a pond freezes over is the lack of gas exchange and low-oxygen conditions that result. So the koi and goldfish should be fine, but I think you all are right in being concerned for your plecos.

[pt lavell]

The plecos have me concerned as well. We have thousands of $$$$ invested in our koi. 1 alone was 1200. If the plecos die then we will have serious bacteria issues. Any tricks on coaxing them out?