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Protect fish from ice

If the surface of the pond remains covered in ice for prolonged periods, poisonous gasses released by decomposing vegetation will build-up underneath and will eventually harm the fish. To prevent this from happening, keep at least part of the pond ice free at all times. You can achieve this by either placing a pool heater in the water at this time of year or melting a hole in the ice-sheet when it forms by standing a pan of hot water on the top. Do not try to break the ice by hitting it with a hammer because this will cause shock waves through the water underneath that may kill the fish. During really prolonged sub-zero spells, the thickness of the ice-sheet can build up. Once over several centimeters of inches thick you can stop any more water freezing by siphoning out a few centimeters of water from beneath the ice-sheet using a hose. The water surface will remain ice free – protected by the insulating layer of air below the suspended ice-sheet.

Tools required

pool heater

Skill rating

easy

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