Depending on where you reside, the weather has begun to change and cold air is blowing in. While it’s a nice change of pace from the heat, the cold can take a toll on our ponds if we live in areas where temperatures can reach freezing levels. Because ponds are a year-round responsibility, it’s important that, as pond owners, we take the necessary steps to ensure our ponds and aquatic life remain healthy. When it comes to winter prep and maintenance, a solar-powered pond aerator and de-icer can both keep your pond healthy and potentially save you money on your energy bills.
The Dangers of a Winter Wonderland
There are plenty of reasons why this is the most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, even for those who love the cold, the winter months can do a number on our ponds. With all that goes into maintaining a pond during the hot months, it’s easy to overlook pond care in the winter; however, this is one of the most important times to invest in pond maintenance.
Without proper pond aeration in the winter, your aquatic life can suffer. Fish need an appropriate amount of oxygen to survive. One of the biggest hazards they face is when there is a buildup of carbon dioxide due to the air they breathe not being able to escape through the ice. Further, proper pond aeration is needed to keep your pond’s water free and clear of debris.
So, how can a solar pond aerator help keep your pond maintained during the winter?
To answer that, it’s important to understand the necessity of pond aeration in the winter. When the temperature drops and begins to freeze, the surface of your pond becomes a solid. In order for carbon dioxide to escape, there needs to be a hole in the surface that should remain open until the pond thaws and the surface melts.
While pond aeration is the most basic form of pond care, it’s not uncommon for it to be performed incorrectly during the winter. There is the idea that breaking the ice open is beneficial to the pond but this is actually false. Did you know that the sound waves caused by the banging of the ice can be detrimental to the health of your fish? That’s why we recommend a de-icer and proper pond aeration with the use of products such as solar power pond aerators like surface aerators.
To create a hole necessary for the survival of your fish, a good quality de-icer is the way to go. A de-icer is a small generator that floats on the surface of the pond and keeps the water warm so that it doesn’t freeze solid. A de-icer is also a great tool to have as it can act as a backup in the event that your solar pond aerator stops working.
It is not recommended that you keep your de-icer running continually as it can drive up your electricity bill in a way that your solar-powered fountain cannot keep down. Instead, keep an eye on your pond. Utilize your de-icer when a hole needs to be created and, once it’s done its work, let your solar-powered pond aerator do the rest.
The Right Pond Care Products For You
At Air-O-Lator, we specialize in solar-powered pond aerators and carry various types such as solar-powered fountains. Our solar-powered pond aeration products are designed to keep your pond and aquatic life healthy and thriving no matter what season we’re on. To learn more about our products and how they can help you maintain your pond, contact us today at 866.471.1614!