Bill, to speed up the process I will go out and drill several 3/4" holes (largest long-bit I have/had) over the diffuser area. It breaks through much quicker! Of course an ice-fishing auger would be preferred, I just don't have one.
But a forewarning: I had my system running which had built up pressure, likely what you have now in your pond, and when the drill broke through the ice,,, well,,,, old faithful went a spewing upwards!
Kinda cool actually, but don't say you weren't forewarned
Oh, and be sure your bit is tight in the drill! Mine apparently wasn't and it slipped right down the hole to the bottom of the pond. So now I'm using my last long-bit which is 5/8"
