Hello.
Me too, with my air compressor running 24/7, my holes are frozen.
I would like to know how long I can stay like that, before I will have to make a hole with a hand auger.
A+
IME, I have seen ice dooming just about every winter. It happens with the intermittent aeration systems I'm running and very cold temps. If I don't take care of it, the water with be closed off for weeks. Even after the cold weather subsides. Here is what I believe is going on. Maybe it applies to your situation as well.
First, the aerator shuts off as dark approaches (solar direct drive system). Next, a thick layer of ice develops over the diffuser(s).
Finally, the next day the compressor introduces the same amount of air it introduced the previous day. Unfortunately, the water movement is not enough to melt the thicker layer of ice. Since a frozen pond is now a closed system, and with new air being introduced, the entire sheet of ice is now under pressure.
The more pressure the more the ice rises off the pond. The more the ice rises off the pond the less contact of water movement from the water welling up from the diffuser.
Today we had very mild temps as compared to earlier in the week. I went to my place and "punched" holes above the diffuser. Moments after the air released, the ice was in contact with the water and a hole was once again created. The two pics show a before and after one hour apart.
A word of caution!!! If your water is under pressure and you "punch" a hole, be prepared. The water can spurt very high into the air and you will get quite a winter shower. Also, the ice that was stable below you may become less than stable. I am not kidding here....BE CAREFUL!!!!
