Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? How much is too much?

How much snow can be on my pond before it causes a problem? The ice is only a couple inches thick with maybe a inch of snow/sleet on it. I cant safely remove in manually so I am thinking of turning on the aerator, but it is suppose to warm up in the mid thirtys during the week for a couple days but in the single digits at night. I would think that enough light is still getting through but not for sure and would like some advice. Thanks

Trials,

Good question, one that I've thought about in the past but cannot offer any advice. I just reread your "Winter Aeration" post and see that you moved your aerator to a shallow area, 27" below the surface. There was a topic entitled "Warm Weather" a few weeks ago where I commented about turning my bottom aerators on because the weather was unusually warm. Ted advised against it. Obviously, your situation is different. Perhaps Ted will see this and comment.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=003701

An inch of snow/sleet would still allow light penetration, but if you are unsure there wouldn't be any harm in starting up your aeration system for a few hours just long enough to create an opening. Then if it freezes over at night it will be clear.

Good Idea! Once it freezes back over it will be clear! I think I will give that a try. Thanks

Another question! Will I have to worry about start up procedures like I would have to if starting for the first time in the spring? It has 2 feet of water above the diffuser not like it is going to be mixing alot of water.

trialsguy. Just let it fly when opening the ice up in shallow water (shallow being KEY) !!!!!!!! You do not need or want a LARGE opening contrary to what you may read or hear.Expulsion of CO2 in a small pond is over rated vs the likelyhood of letting the water get too cool.Also an inch of dense wet snow is a real sunlight blocker. The light stuff will let some light in however, You will blow a hole in the ice at a rate of approx 6 inches of ice melt off per 24 hours of run time.Once you have a hole in the ice it only takes a few minutes to melt a large area of snow off, refreeze and up goes the DO level.

Sue, Didnt mean to rob this thread but did want to add to it, Ted at FG

Just thought I would show what size hole opened up after about 16 hours of run time, I actually forgot I turned it on so we went down to the pond to have a look, Scared off two mallard ducks
Not sure but I think my wife and daughter were trying to shake the snow off the trees.

How deep is the water where you have the diffusers?

The water above the diffuser measures 27", I shut it down after we left and only figure to turn it back on if the hole freezes over again and we get snow on top of it.