Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Aeration "Supercooling"

I think the key is not to put your air stones in the deepest water... thus avoiding much disruption of any potential 'warmer' water.

Without an open air hole to allow gases to escape there is always a risk of them reaching toxic levels during the winter.

I don't recall the last time I saw ice that was clear enough to allow significant amounts of light penetration... at least not enough to replace the oxygen created by 'anchored' plant life with oxygen created by the various free-floating algae.

I know for sure that without aeration I would have zero game fish left at the end of the winter... the longer the winter the more likely of a big kill from lack of oxygen or poor water quality. With rooted plant decay and very little light penetration I can pretty much guarantee my fish would die without aeration. They benefit not only from the oxygen added to the water by the 'bubbles', but by the open area that then allows light penetration and gas escape.

I don't recall the last time I saw ice that was clear enough to allow significant amounts of light penetration... at least not enough to replace the oxygen created by 'anchored' plant life with oxygen created by the various free-floating algae. I can clear some areas of snow but that still leaves at least 18-24 inches of 'patch-work' ice that doesn't pass light worth a darn.