Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? aerate all winter?

Hello. I have a small pond. 1/4 acre maybe. Last year I left the aerater on all the time. I read that this might not be a good idea. If it is not a good idea, would it be allright to let it run for 2 hours and off for 4 and repeat the cycle? Or should I only run it at night? I just want to prevent a freeze over. Last winter it remained open where the water was churning. Maybe 3 feet at the smallest and coldest times. I know I still have some catfish and some blueguill in there. I just don't want to lose any.
Thanks for this great forum.
Homer

A small pond of 1/4 ac will get super chilled below the 39F temperature if you run the aerator continuously. If you are determined to run the aerator during winter try the on - off cycle. But if you use the on - off cycle be sure you take the precautions that I mentioned in earlier posts regarding check valve at the diffuser and presure relief valve on the compressor. (see posts under Questions&Observations, topic: Winter Management / De-icer or Aerator by jakeboxer back on November 5, 2003). If you do not have one or preferably both of these items then run the aerator continuously.

The time needed to run the compresssor will be dependent on the severity of the winter you have this year. The more snow and below 0F you have the more or longer the daily "run time" will have to be to keep an open hole in the pond. I would start with 4 - 6 continuous hours of "run time" each day. See how that works and adjust run time from there. As I said earlier as long as the hole freezes closed with clear ice on top you will not need to run the compressor. Ample Oxygen will be made by microalgae under the clear ice.

Well, I decided to turn the aerater off because I was affraid of loseing my fish after your reply about the water tempeture. We finally got some rain. It rained for about 2 days. Raised the level of the pond at least 8 to 10 inches. But still about a foot below the overflow. The little creek that runs behind the pond was running real good so I used an old sump pump and let it run for 4 days to fill it within 2 inches of the overflow. Now there is ice on the pond and a little snow. I guess now I need to wait and see how thick the ice gets and how much snow will cover the pond. How do you know how thick the ice is? Cut a hole and measure? I know that is probably a stupid question.
Anyway, thanks for your reply.
Homer

Homer - Guys that don't ice fish check thickness with a portable drill and a long bit. Once ice gets over 12" thick you will probably need a bit extension. I used to check ice thickness with an Ice spud (long handled chisel) with a blade about 2" wide. It's a lot of extra work getting through 8" to 12" of ice with a spud.

I now check ice thickness with my manual ice auger. New ice fishing augers have two cutting bits; one on each side of the spiral. For examples check on eBay.com for styles and prices in the fishing section. These bits are razor sharp and can drill through 8" of ice in about 15-20 seconds. There is also an auger out now that is called lazor style which has a little larger bits and cuts a little faster & abt $10 more. Auger diameters come in 3", 4", 5", 6" 7" 8"; most common style is 6"& cost abt $32-$45. Ice augers are sold in sporting goods stores, Dicks, Gander Mountain, Cabelas, & WalMart.

Get your self an auger and do some ice fishing for those bgills. They bite good under the ice and I have caught the occassional catfish while ice fishing. Good baits are waxworms, spikes, moussies, 2 lb test line on a small ice rod w/ a tiny float bobber or spring bobber (WalMart). Fish close to the bottom & 6" to 12" off the bottom in the deeperst part of the pond. As long as you are catching fish there you know oxygen is still there in the deep part. Its like having an oxygen meter as long as the fish bite.