more pond ice

The pond continues to be a source of inspiration and fascination for me. Recently the ice was clear, but a little warm spell followed by some snow and another hard freeze changed that.


The ice is now opaque, white, and very bumpy. I would not get my skates out for this.


***


It's been well below freezing for a few days now and normally I'd start getting concerned about the fish.


When ice forms over the water it traps the "bad" gasses, and the fish could suffer and even die from their build-up. So fish pond owners often use some means to melt a hole in the ice that will allow the gasses to escape.

I've done this once already with a pot of boiling water: just set the hot pot on the ice surface and let it melt through.


I don't need to do it now though, as the rocks are warming up enough in the sunshine to melt the surrounding ice a little bit, creating a "release valve" for the gasses.


Plus it's going to be in the 40's F for four of the next five days, meaning the ice will soon be melted again.

It amazes me that the papyrus looks so green still. It's certainly dead -- at least above the water line -- but looks like it's ready to put out new growth as soon as it warms up. This is one of my overwintering experiments, to leave a few pots of plants in the water.


I don't know if they're deep enough to stay unfrozen (and therefore survive), but I didn't want to move them into the deep part of the water as I have no good way to get them back out. There's already one pot that rolled down there during the summer (with the help of raccoons) and I didn't want to lose more.

Back to the ice... I'm a bit anxious to see how the fish did under the ice/snow covering. I expect them to be fine, but until I see them swimming around I'll wonder.

So pot of boiling water, when will I (and the fish) need you again?

.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Lisa  – (January 5, 2013 at 6:42 AM)  

Our ice looks just exactly like that! Unfortunately one of our dogs seems to have forgotten there's water under that ice and has taken to walking on it. He's the less sharp of our two dopey pets. If he decides to use it as his own personal toilet, he may be the less ALIVE of the pair!

Vesna Maric  – (January 5, 2013 at 6:54 AM)  

Don't you make a hole in the ice for fish to get some oxygen?
I wonder if this Cyperus would survive the cold...
Love to pop up to your interesting blog. Bye!

Cat  – (January 5, 2013 at 6:53 PM)  

That's a good idea to use the rocks to warm up the surrounding water. A lot easier than carrying boiling water across your property. We finally warmed up here today with some sunshine ... it was heavenly. Spent the whole day cleaning up the garden after neglecting it for the last couple of months. Feels better than words can describe!

Anonymous –   – (January 6, 2013 at 8:09 AM)  

omg, how wonderful to have your OWN pond. i will keep dreaming this will happen in my back yard. great seeing you and Melony yesterday. her scones are to die for. and don't worry the larva wasn't squished, just warmed up and came to life! Beth

Jason  – (January 6, 2013 at 9:53 AM)  

Looks like a wonderful pond. I love the rocks. I'm very jealous.

Post a Comment

  © Blogger template Shush by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP