Originally posted by trialsguy:
Any thought on something that would keep the ice off with out alot of circulation? I was thinking about something like a soaker hose or something to allow air or even pumped water through it that is floating on the surface in a circle say 10 to 20 foot diameter, Kinda like a soaker hose that is fashioned in a smaller diameter for a diffuser only floating on the surface causing a surface wake thus keeping the ice open. Or even some of the black water line with holes drilled on the inside of the circle so that theres not too much deep water circulation just whats at the surface then run a submersible water pump. I guess that would be limited to those that have electricity down out the pond, I doubt that a air pump blowing bubbles at the surface would cause enough wake to keep the ice cleared now that I think about it.
I've used a diffuser to keep ice open and you'd be surpised what a few bubbles can do. From my experience it depends on air temps on how big a hole a diffuser will make. I've had them as large as 20 feet in diameter just fron one diffuser of about 1 CFM.
The reason I have been leaning away from the use of a diffuser in winter is I've had fish stress even with a hole near shore. However by keeping the ice clear of some snow I have no signs of stress.
