Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations So it begins

Dwight, what type of control do you have in place that the aerator only runs when the temp is below 20 degrees. I would like to do the same on mine. Also thinking of running it less than 24/7. It costs around $35/month to run and would be nice to reduce this.

Think I answered my own question, is this what you use?

http://www.dockbubbler.com/Thermostatically_controlled_outlet.asp

I use the one on the bottom of this page. Kasco

Thanks Dwight looks like a nice unit.

I like having full control of the size of the opening in the ice because of drive on ice fishing. If the circulator were on 24/7 the opening would be much larger and I would worry about "thin spots" showing up at large distances away from the open area.

Also by controlling with both time and temperature you can cut operating costs significantly.

What concerns me is my lycopene input has been zero since last Friday night!!! Bouncing back very slowly. On the bod and brain aerobics, I am definitely in there on the bod, reading PBF keeps my brain sharp as a tack.

The warmwater model thermostat seems to be bass ackward for use in a trout pond if the intent is to only have it kick on for instance when air temps are below 70 F. Or am i reading that correctly? Not that it's designed for that.

I trust this big NE wind is blowing the landing area clear for the winter so Point #2 about a shovel has become moot.

Kasco doesn't have a warm water model, at least on the page I referenced. The object of their controllers is de-icing.

Are you perhaps looking at lassig's link?

That area is protected from a northeast wind so your trust is ill founded. If a northeast wind were strong enough it would concentrate snow there just like a wind from from any direction 225-90 degrees. It is a bad spot for a drive-on but it is all we have.

I just need to win the lottery so we can go shopping for a pay loader with attachable rotary blower for you. Probably should have a nice skid loader for light clean ups too!

It must have been as that makes more sense.

The link I posted had cold water and warm water models. I order the 10 model from Kasco since I already have a timer.

Finally got out on Bremer Pond yesterday. The access to the pond is snowy, but got the house and equipment out on the ice no problem. Slow fishing day. 2 LMB, 2 BCR, and had one of Dwight's walleyes in the hole, but it was a capon. Looked fat, and I would put it at about 16 inches, I'll get one for pictures and length the next time out. New ION ice auger worked great, and I like the new Frabil rods I got. Got stuck on the way out, but fortunately Jeff was there with his new Ford truck and pulled me clear. I killed one of Dwight's access markers while stuck so I will endure any fines. Cold this weekend, so should be able to drive on shortly. Then I can take a run at the access, and be conundrum free.

How thick was the ice ?

Eleven inches. Good ice with little snow cover, should get thicker nicely.

Two ices of snow ice and 2 inches of clear ice on the big pond with some water in between here. I'll stay on the pier for now!

Dwight it's colder than normal for even you isn't it?

Yes colder earlier and longer periods between above freezing temps. Isn't it the first day of winter today?

Did you get any warmer temps in the last few days? Any rain?

Not much warmth and no rain or snow.

I drilled around twenty holes today to check the ice thickness and pinpoint the deep spot on the south end.

This year the deep spot is 12.3 feet as manually measured and double checked with the Barge Sonar. Yellow and black marker placed there.

Red marker placed at the Goose Light.

Yellow and black marker placed at the most southerly X.

The ice is 11.5 to 12.5 inches, mostly 12.

Snow depth averages 4 inches over the entire pond. There are areas with 12". Those are not areas frequented for ice fishing.

I didn't drive the truck out there because we are basically at the minimum ice thickness for driving-on plus the weight of the snow.

I think we should play it safe and wait with vehicle traffic until after the next cold weather that is coming late this weekend.

Pretty much every year around here, you'll hear a story on the news about a Michigan Red Neck who takes his truck (or someone's else) out on crappy lake ice and it ends up on the bottom with a big bill to remove it.

Usually kid's with no common sense that are following parental guidelines

Fishing on the pond today. Click on Bremer Pond Weather to see for yourself.

Nice day for it. Students supposedly have first draft done of your long-term trend set paper. Hopefully will see it soon.

Looking forward to seeing it!