Took their winter cover off today!

[Detritus Mulm]

Everyone is present and accounted for, although the one Wakin with the droopy tail seems to be struggling a bit. They came right up for a feed, which surprised me, as they have not seen the sun for months.

I've been heating the pond all winter (39), but I've been bumping them up slowly the last few weeks to 60 now. This is supposed to get their immune system started faster, give the good bacteria a boost, let me start feeding faster and make them less susceptible to Aeromonas. The article I read here: http://www.usakoi.com/Over-Coming-Aeromonas-Alley-a-1.html is more related to Koi, but I figured it could not hurt the GF. I also dosed them for Flukes a couple of times before boosting their temp.

I put up a Hoop House in place of the cover. Hopefully this will let the sun heat them during the day and prevent a bit of the night time cooling. Although I suspect it will be a struggle to maintain 60 over the next couple of weeks, as we're in for another cold snap.

I'm planning a Solar Heater for the Fall, to see how much I can reduce their blackout period. It was supposed to happen this Spring, but the backlog of projects is growing. :)

[CACAdmin]

Wow! That's cool... or or should I say warm (weather :wink: ). Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I'm guessing the 'Hoop-House' is domed clear plastic?? Would love to see a pic of how you've set this up.

[Pamelajo]

Would love to see a pic of how you've set this up.
Ditto!:Smile:

[Detritus Mulm]

Wow! That's cool... or or should I say warm (weather :wink: ). Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I'm guessing the 'Hoop-House' is domed clear plastic?? Would love to see a pic of how you've set this up.

I did not take any pics of the skeleton. I put the receptacles (18" ABS pipes) into the ground last fall and made the ribs (20' 1" PVC conduit) then too. The ribs slide into the holes and the tarp gets clipped to the ribs. It has three ribs the length of the pond and two ribs that cross over the narrow part of the pond (5 ribs in all). I just Duct taped the joints where the ribs cross. I eyeballed the shape and cut the ribs to length, so that they all touched where they crossed. Except for one rib, they were all pretty much perfect. It's sorta shaped like a giant half egg; I'm sure the neighbours appreciate my impromptu igloo. It would be nice if I could use this as a winter cover too, but I'm skeptical. I just hope the wind does not get under it or I will be on the news talking about my fish be carried away by a large balloon. :err:

I could not find a UV resistant woven clear Poly tarp locally, so I went with white, which is supposed to be the next best thing (translucent). I will likely order a clear Poly tarp from the US for the Fall, as the one Canadian distributor did not answer my email.

[Detritus Mulm]

Ditto!:Smile:

I'm going to put a tarp zipper on it for feeding RSN, so I'll snap a pic of the inside when I do. This is the concept here:

http://www.pondexperts.ca/winter_pond_cover.htm

Except I put my pipes in the ground, so I could leave them in place permanently (The receptacles, not the ribs :-) ). Too many pipes and wires in the ground to be driving stakes in willy nilly. My house is a little flatter than they recommend, but the pipes seem no worse for wear.

[CACAdmin]

A great job...Just like they do for gardens to give them an early start in the season. We'll all keep any eye out for flying fish (in a balloon) if the wind picks up too much. :wink:

[Detritus Mulm]

A great job...Just like they do for gardens to give them an early start in the season. We'll all keep any eye out for flying fish (in a balloon) if the wind picks up too much. :wink:

Thanks, you're a good Egg. :twitcy:

[CACAdmin]

Thanks, you're a good Egg. :twitcy:
:laugh: Egg-actly... just like you! :wink:

[Pamelajo]

Thanks for sharing that site.