Winter pond cover

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jules I wil be on my 3rd winter with the balls pictured below. I purchased them from the Early Learning Centre buy 2 get 3rd free. They allow plenty of gaseous exchange and if the koi jump they fall straight back through. They do not fight over the food either as it is spread evenly between the tiny gaps. Not every ones taste but saves a lot on the gas bill. Jules

This looks like something out of a fun park, when people jump in for fun...kind of interesting...

[Jules]

Did this little charity stunt on Christmas day last year in aid of charity.

Jules

[marco]

Thanks every body for informations and fun.
Your system looks great Jules, but how do you fix the filtration and temperature during winter ?

[marco]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow here's what I'd suggest based on the following experiences So I gave up, built a fish house with an inside pond and heater and brought everything inside. here's my suggestion tho in your case: get some kind of pellets you could float for insulation. It would still allow gas exchange and if a fish jumped out it would crash thru back to the pond! I would anticipate it would be a chore of clean up in the spring.

I know that the inside pond is the better system,Dick, but I would like to try one winter again without it. If I don't find a good solution, that will be the project for next year.
Thanks

[Jules]

The pool has it's own dedicated boiler system situated in the shed. The pipe work runs into the filter bay and to the heat exchanger. The koi went down to 9 deg C last year adna are currently at 24.5 deg C. It has helped keep the bills down with the balls on and I can and do heat a little higher through the winter when needed.

Jules

[MikeM]

Yes, Dick, I am "winter-deprived". When I see posts mentioning water temps below 70F in July, it really does not compute. My shaded, 6' deep pond at 2pm on Saturday was a pleasant(?) 86F. ... I'm looking forward to the cool days of November when water temps are in the mid-70s.

[Ryan S.]

I made on last year very similar to Dan's. Its tilted on one side with 4x4 posts, so its at a angle. For dealing with snow you would need at a higher angle. Performance is "ok" at best. You can't really keep in warmth that much without completely sealing these off. Its great for leaves though.