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Post by rowanberry on Feb 11, 2021 21:21:53 GMT
The pond has been frozen over for about three days now- I don't know how thick the ice is, but when I gently pushed on it with a bamboo cane it's got no give to it at all. According to the Met Office our temps are going to stay at -6c tomorrow, so it's not going to thaw out until next week when they go back up to a balm 3c. One of the birds appears to have come to a sliding-stop landing in the snow on top of it. Frozen Pond Feb 2021 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr Landing Tracks on the Pond by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr
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Post by Harold Smith on Feb 12, 2021 10:37:33 GMT
Hi Rowenberry,
Depending on the depth of your pond having a thick layer of ice can cause gases from the decaying detritus to build up. This can lead to reduced oxygen levels which could be detrimental to any amphibians and invertebrates living in the bottom.
Before it gets too frosty place a smallish ball in the pond. This will help to prevent the pond from becoming ice bound and lets harmful gasses escape.
As your pond is already iced up, quite solidly from the sound of it, place a bowl, with a rounded base, on top of the ice and fill it with hottish water. The heat will gradually melt the ice allowing any harmful gasses to escape. Depending on how thick the ice is you may have to top up the bowl with warm water several times.
Hope this is of some help.
Harold.
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Post by rowanberry on Feb 12, 2021 22:34:05 GMT
That's extremely useful advice Harold, thanks!
I do have a floating plastic duck decoy I thought might help to act like a ball is supposed to do, but it's frozen in place, (you can see it in over on the left of the pond.) I will try that with a bowl first thing tomorrow morning.
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Post by Harold Smith on Feb 13, 2021 10:27:01 GMT
Hi Rowenberry,
I think the problem with the duck is that has a flat bottom and floats on the water surface. Whereas a ball being round becomes partially submerged, particularly if it is a bit heavy. As the ice forms around it will compress the ball. The ball will push back creating small amounts of agitation preventing the water around it from freezing completely. Winter sun will also help by heating the air inside the ball causing it to expand and contract creating more agitation.
Harold.
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Post by rowanberry on Feb 14, 2021 10:35:32 GMT
Part of our problem is that because of an extremely high hedge and tangle of trees to the right, (and to the south-east side) of the pond, it won't get any sunlight falling on it until April. I know spring is really here when it shines on the pond for the first time. The hot water bowl worked a treat this morning. I've got an old chipped but strong enamel bowl found several years ago at a campsite that I hated to throw away because I knew one day I'd find a good use for it. It's now discovered its purpose in life. Thanks, I shall remember this technique for future winters!
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