The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

THE BIG FREEZE

crissue

By crissue

17 comments


-14 degrees here, and even though we have our Pond Pump running through every Winter, never have we experienced our pond/ponds freezing over. Such was the case 36 hrs ago, and it was all hands to get a holding tank ready for our two Fish that were slowly being engulfed in ice. Thankfully they were saved and, and are slowly recovering from what could have been a different outcome.

I know lots of you have Ponds, so please check your Ponds regularly, even if you have pumps running as we did. This freeze almost caught us out, and be ready to remove your fish, if necessary. Thanks for reading this.
Take care, keep warm everyone.

More blog posts by crissue

Previous post: Homemade Fat/Seed Balls for your Garden Birds

Next post: Little 'Nutella'



Comments

 

glad your fish are ok sue, i check mine each day and even though frozen, not as bad as you have it and no snow here, but good advice, take care :o)) x

10 Feb, 2012

 

Been having to thaw mine out every day for a week now, hope they are all ok, too many to fish out!!

10 Feb, 2012

 

Lovely new avatar, Sue. :))

10 Feb, 2012

 

So glad your fish were OK - we have managed to keep our pump running - so water is running through the millstone into the pool - we don't have fish but the blackbirds drink and bathe in it - Marigold

10 Feb, 2012

 

oh no Sue - wasn't aware it was that cold there - hope all will be okay for you - take care in this weather :))))

10 Feb, 2012

 

Hope your fish will be ok Sue, we run our pump continuously, like Olive we have far too many so it would be panic stations if anything went wrong...

10 Feb, 2012

 

Thank goodness you were able to save them. I don't have a pond but good advice for those who do.
I hope everyone else's fish are ok - especially those who have too many to evacuate!

10 Feb, 2012

 

Agree with Sheilabub :)

10 Feb, 2012

 

My pond freezes over most years and my fish are still alive :)))))) but i dont run my pump ALL the time.. I see them swiimming about way deep down at the bottom :))

10 Feb, 2012

 

My pond and fish are 14 years old now they are way down at the bottom (4ft deep) although it freezes every year we just make a hole each day with boiling water to let the gases out. If part of your pond is deep enough at least 3 feet they will be fine as long as the gases can escape. Gases or being fed and shallow water in the deepest winter is what kills them.

10 Feb, 2012

 

Hi everyone, on yet another wintery day. Thankyou for taking the time to read our little experience. When I see our Cats that love the outdoors choosing to stay in and use a litter tray rather than go outside, then you know it's freezing cold. Our Chooks have heating and loads more straw in their yard, yet they don't venture past their covered outdoor shelter, (mind you the eggs are still coming) bless them. How are yours Barbara?...
The Fish welfare is just as important in, what are adverse conditions for us. and if the sea can freeze so can an itty bitty pond. Prevention, as my old Mum would say.....
Thanks Sheila/Kat...it's last years Pansies, and baby Bee, I wonder where he is now....;)))))

11 Feb, 2012

 

I'm glad you saved your fish. It sounds horrendous weather that you've got :o( I think I would have died in that ... I hope it gets warmer for you soon.

11 Feb, 2012

 

Mine are very cold and have been for the last week or so, very cold last night, but the chooks are all ok, having to defrost the water drinkers on all outside drinkers, according to forecast it is going to get a little warmer over the weekend. Fingers crossed. I am melting a hole every day in my pond but I am dreading when the snow has gone what I shall find, it is frozen solid the pond and covered in snow about 5/6 inches deep. Only managing to get a hole at one side to release the gasses hope they are ok, but not a lot you can do in these very cold conditions.

11 Feb, 2012

 

Happy Sunday all,
It's not been very kind to me either Hywel, and I only go out if I have to...
Hi Barbara, OH is changing water for the chooks everyday, its freezing outside. Certainly been a supprise this weather, but after the long mild months we've had I suppose something had to give.
The Fish are ok, and seem happy enough, I hope yours, and everyones fare ok...

12 Feb, 2012

 

Hi , Sue , I missed this blogg , thank goodness you saved those fish .
Hope that you two are staying warm !

16 Feb, 2012

 

Hi D, it's still very cold, but the snow has finally gone...and yes trying very hard to stay warm lol....

The Fish are fine, their body temps are slowly rising, and they're making a little movement now around their holding tank...we've fitted a small pump for them too for extra oxygen...so all's well that ends well..
Will pop a PM in for you soon...
Sue xx

17 Feb, 2012

 

Lol!

17 Feb, 2012

Add a comment

Recent posts by crissue

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    18 Sep, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    8 Apr, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    22 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    25 Jul, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Oct, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    18 Sep, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    1 Feb, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    12 Apr, 2009