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Post by parker002 on Feb 21, 2017 12:28:05 GMT -5
In light of all of the issues I've been having this "winter" I decided to examine my overall setup. I'm going to figure out a way to put a net over the thing for the fall/winter and see if that helps with with water quality. I'm also going to have to re-examine my setups so that I can run UV filtration for as long as is feasible without risking temperature damage to the unit. I do have one lingering problem, though. I've put up with it until now and it probably wasn't very smart to do so but: I've tried a half dozen different brands of cattle tank and purpose-built pond heaters and ALL of them get extremely hot at the plug, resulting in melted plugs and melted outlets. I'm sure I'm headed for a fire at some point. My question is this: Could I just as effectively keep the pond from icing over by using vigorous, ample aeration with some like this? |
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Post by parker002 on Feb 21, 2017 13:45:03 GMT -5
My 2nd question would be "does AAP sell a pump like this?" I don't see one.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 21, 2017 14:56:16 GMT -5
All we have are the Fusions, which are close. 5.6 L/min vs 8 L/min. $26.99 vs $47.98
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Post by parker002 on Feb 21, 2017 15:02:22 GMT -5
How would they hold up outside though?
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Post by Carl on Feb 21, 2017 18:45:12 GMT -5
I have used the Fusions and more so the Million Air outside on ponds and they held up just fine as long as they are covered well by a rock/cave, box, etc. I used air pumps many times for aeration. I would also note that UV Sterilizers are less effective in colder water as are a Plant/Bog/Veggie filter. However while a bog filter is less effective as per plant roots uptake of water greening nutrients, the bacteria living in the volcanic rock shuld continue to work, so I am not sure why not in your case. Make sure to prefilter your water before entering the UV (the bog filter can work here) and then even consider a simple aquarium heater (300 to 500) watt) right before the water enters too. A few old school methods such as magnets placed in areas of high water flow may help (by removing iron from the water that many algae consume) The difficult part as I see it and where my experience is more limited is the cold and the unpredictability of your weather right now. Resources: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_heater.htmlwww.americanaquariumproducts.com/PondAlgae.htmlCarl |
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Post by parker002 on Feb 22, 2017 10:20:13 GMT -5
Well the good news is that I think I've made some headway against the green water. Now I'm more focused on aeration in general. From reading various sources, it appears that vigorous aeration WILL prevent a pond from completely freezing over, even in potentially very cold climates like mine. We also have a 4500gph waterfall that never freezes so I think I'm done with the pond heaters. I don't want to burn my house down.
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Post by Carl on Feb 22, 2017 10:42:45 GMT -5
Well the good news is that I think I've made some headway against the green water. Now I'm more focused on aeration in general. From reading various sources, it appears that vigorous aeration WILL prevent a pond from completely freezing over, even in potentially very cold climates like mine. We also have a 4500gph waterfall that never freezes so I think I'm done with the pond heaters. I don't want to burn my house down. I agree with the aeration As for the heater, the only aspect of using a heater is right before the intake of of water going into the UV. I do not see any dangers here, as these have auto shut offs. Never had one cause a fire. Carl |
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Post by parker002 on Feb 22, 2017 10:43:50 GMT -5
And wouldn't you know it.
72 today, 22 by Friday.
I really need to move.
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Post by Carl on Feb 22, 2017 12:30:24 GMT -5
And wouldn't you know it. 72 today, 22 by Friday. I really need to move. It's your carbon footprint my friend. You need to live in a cave, have no vehicles, and you will not be having this problem!  Carl |
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Post by parker002 on Feb 22, 2017 14:27:11 GMT -5
Well the good news is that I think I've made some headway against the green water. Now I'm more focused on aeration in general. From reading various sources, it appears that vigorous aeration WILL prevent a pond from completely freezing over, even in potentially very cold climates like mine. We also have a 4500gph waterfall that never freezes so I think I'm done with the pond heaters. I don't want to burn my house down. I agree with the aeration As for the heater, the only aspect of using a heater is right before the intake of of water going into the UV. I do not see any dangers here, as these have auto shut offs. Never had one cause a fire. Carl You're talking about a submerged heater though, not a floating heater, right? The floating heaters are the ones I'm having issues with. I've actually tried like 4 different ones - they all end up getting hot enough to melt their plugs. |
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Post by parker002 on Feb 22, 2017 14:27:48 GMT -5
I agree with the aeration As for the heater, the only aspect of using a heater is right before the intake of of water going into the UV. I do not see any dangers here, as these have auto shut offs. Never had one cause a fire. Carl You're talking about a submerged heater though, not a floating heater. The floating heaters are the ones I'm having issues with. I've actually tried like 4 different ones - they all end up getting hot enough to melt their plugs. ROFL A cave would be a climate-controlled 62 degrees year-round! |
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Post by Carl on Feb 22, 2017 20:06:10 GMT -5
You're talking about a submerged heater though, not a floating heater, right? The floating heaters are the ones I'm having issues with. I've actually tried like 4 different ones - they all end up getting hot enough to melt their plugs. Yes, just placed near the intake to warm water going into the UV and lower the risk of freezing damage during a cold snap Carl |
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