WINTER/SUMMER
AERATION KIT
Winter
In the winter
decomposition of fish waste and dead plant material produces a toxic gas and
uses up oxygen. If your pond is frozen
solid the gas cannot escape and it can be fatal to your fish, depending on fish
load to your pond size to the amount of decomposing material in your pond. It is best to keep a hole open to allow this
gas to escape as it is produced and absorb oxygen from the air. We like the air
pump as it is constantly putting oxygen into your pond as well as keeping a
“breathing hole” open
Your air stone should
be approximately 2” – 3” below the surface of the pond. (You don’t want to
disturb the warmer layers of water at the bottom of your pond). This will give
it a fizzing effect on the pond surface and making “freeze-over” only possible
in very cold temperatures (-10C or lower) – then you will get a thin “ice dome”
over the spot that was staying open – this dome will melt when the temps go
above –10C or you can melt it with boiling water, or tap it with a stick – DO
NOT hit it hard or you will shock your fish. While the dome is there, your air
pump is still putting oxygen into your pond and there is no reason to panic
The biggest difference between “winter” and
“summer” usage of the “Aeration Kit” is the size of the air stone and how deep
it is in the pond. A larger stone is generally used and is placed on the pond
“floor” to boost the oxygen level in your pond. Warmer water does not hold as
much oxygen as cold water and if your waterfall or other water features do not
give you enough aeration, an air pump will boost the oxygen level. This is
important for biological filtration – the bacteria in your bio-filter need
oxygen to live – the higher the oxygen level, the higher the bacteria count
will be and the better your filter will work
HAPPY
PONDING ACP FILTERS (519) 682-0983