|
|
Frogs
Feb 3, 2012 8:58:41 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 3, 2012 8:58:41 GMT
Have you broke the ice yet.....on your pond? Last year I was so so poorly (Man flu, wouldn't wish it on a Woman) I failed to break the ice and lost my fish as well as some frogs.
Today I intend to cover the broken ice with a sheet of poli -wotsit to keep it from freezing further.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 3, 2012 9:16:14 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 3, 2012 9:16:14 GMT
If it freezes for any length of time I wil but an odd day or two wont hurt it.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 3, 2012 9:22:54 GMT
Post by Cherry on Feb 3, 2012 9:22:54 GMT
Good advice there Merlin. Our dykes are frozen, but they are very long.
Toads are starting to breed.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 3, 2012 16:46:37 GMT
Post by SueA on Feb 3, 2012 16:46:37 GMT
I haven't had to melt the ice so far as there's only been a very thin coating of ice which has melted by itself in the sun but I do put a hot watering can/pan on it if it gets too thick. Here's a link to advice I got in an email from Froglife. They say just let the light get to the surface or make a hole in the ice by melting with a pan or floating a ball on it & removing to leave a hole. tinyurl.com/8y7azp7 |
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 3, 2012 20:07:53 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 3, 2012 20:07:53 GMT
Your pond must be sheltered Sue, I can walk on mine. I find that breaking a hole every day is easy but only in the same place. Today I've covered it as I find it doesn't freeze then. It's going to get warmer soon  maybe after a bit of the white stuff. |
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 4, 2012 11:27:36 GMT
Post by SueA on Feb 4, 2012 11:27:36 GMT
I spoke too soon Merlin, it's got ice about an inch or two thick on it today & I've had to melt a hole in it, I put some boiling water in a small plastic watering can & stood it on it for a few minutes.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 4, 2012 15:17:46 GMT
Post by seaburn on Feb 4, 2012 15:17:46 GMT
if you have solid, brick/concrete sides dont hit the ice. the shock waves generated will daage the fish. I leave a small football in one corner and bob it up and down. if it does freeze soild I use the hot water method.
we have minus 5 at the moment
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 8, 2012 11:40:47 GMT
Post by SueA on Feb 8, 2012 11:40:47 GMT
More info on ponds/frogs/fish etc. in winter here. It seems it's more important to keep the pond surface clear of snow etc. so that the plants get light & produce oxygen than it is to make a hole in the ice although this might help if you make the hole near the edge of the pond which is what I do as it's easy to reach! www.pondconservation.org.uk/advice/lookingafteryourpondincoldweather.htm |
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 9, 2012 5:35:19 GMT
Post by esther on Feb 9, 2012 5:35:19 GMT
We keep the fountain running and have a beautiful ice chandelier |
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 9, 2012 6:43:27 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 9, 2012 6:43:27 GMT
That is an interesting article Sue.
It sounds like Esther has the answer by keeping her fountain going.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 10, 2012 7:08:12 GMT
Post by Tel on Feb 10, 2012 7:08:12 GMT
When i had a pond, i used to take the electric pump out in winter and replaced it with a floating pond heater, this kept a area the size of a football clear of ice.
|
|
|
|
Frogs
Feb 10, 2012 7:49:29 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 10, 2012 7:49:29 GMT
When i had a pond, i used to take the electric pump out in winter and replaced it with a floating pond heater, this kept a area the size of a football clear of ice. A great idea ! |
|
maybe after a bit of the white stuff.
