Pond & Water Garden Articles > Koi Pond Heater or Aerator
Koi Pond Heater or Aerator
Koi Pond Aerator or Pond Heater??
You must keep your koi pond water from freezing over, the most popular
methods most pond keepers use are a pond heater and/or pond aerator. You
already know that it is important to keep a hole open in the ice that forms
over your water garden during the winter months. This provides an outlet for
harmful gases and an inlet for new oxygen-rich air. The question now is which
device do you choose to get the job done.
When we talk about pond heaters we are referencing units which do not heat
the water in the pond but instead keeps a ring of water open allowing gas to
escape through the vent in the top of the unit. Since most ponds deeper than
18" do not freeze solid this is all that is needed to allow oxygen exchange
while the fish are dormant. When running a pond heater periodically check in on
the pond to make sure ice does not form over the vent hole. To reduce
electrical expense most pond heaters are thermostatically controlled to run
only during a given temperature range.
Aeration keeps a hole in the ice during the winter by producing bubbles and
water motion to slow the ice from forming. This allows for the same gas
exchange created by a pond heater, however your Aeration System will circulate the entire pond volume and
infuse it with dissolved oxygen making it more efficient at oxygen/gas
transfer. People will sometimes run pumps beneath the ice trying to create this
same effect but it is the tiny air bubbles that boost dissolved oxygen levels
and create the friction that prevents ice from forming. Your pond benefits from
aeration year round making an aeration system a helpful and highly functional
tool regardless of the season. The installation process is simple and
straightforward and aeration systems are available in various sizes and shapes
allowing you to select a system that best fits your pond. When selecting a
system make sure you purchase a unit that is rated for your ponds volume in
order to provide enough outlet for proper gas exchange.
The performance of both pond heaters and aeration systems vary depending on
how cold it gets in your area. Even when vented properly, ice could form over
your vent hole. If this occurs temporarily, and is short in duration while the
coldest temperatures and wind are present, there should not be any cause for
concern, as a calm or sunny day will give the pond the help it needs to re-open
the hole in the ice. If it is necessary to manually reopen the air vent do not
try to break through it by hitting it with hammers or heavy objects as this
creates vibrations that can harm your fish. If necessary pour a bucket of warm
water over the vent hole to melt it back open.
Whichever unit you choose to use will perform to keep your fish safe for the
winter months and ensure that they will be healthy, happy and ready to go in
the spring.