Pond De-Icers
Pond de-icers, also known as “pond deicers”, are devices needed for ponds if one live in an area where snow is inevitable. The pond will need to be winterized, and among the best ways of doing this is using a pond de-icer. Pond de-icers are simple and don’t need inconvenient maintenance all through winter.
What Is A Pond Deicer?
Pond de-icers are basically devices that regulate the pond’s temperature during winter, heating a certain area of the pond that keeps its water above 40ºF. This prevents ice from forming over the pond. Pond de-icers are different from pond heaters, so it should not be confused with the latter.
The main role of pond de-icers is preventing ice from totally covering the pond, as ponds require releasing toxic gases, usually methane, which comes from decaying organic matters. Pond de-icers allow the pond to receive the oxygen it requires –this is particularly essential for ponds with fish.
A pond deicer is designed for small garden ponds that’s no bigger than 35’x35’. Most manufacturers of these units set its default temperature, and is typically about 42°F.
Types Of Pond Deicers
There are two common types of pond deicers –submersible and floating. One can plug these types into the “power control center” of the pond.
Floating Pond De-icer
A floating pond de-icer creates a little and round hole on the ice covering the pond’s surface. This permits harmful toxins to be released, while allowing oxygen to enter. They’re good options, as they can move around the pond, opening up a big area of the ice, and allowing chemical build-up to be released into the air. On the other hand, this device operates using electricity, thus only ideal for ponds that can easily be reached by electrical outlets.
Floating pond de-icers are safe to use for every type of pond, whether rubber, concrete or plastic. They’re highly necessary for ponds, particularly for the hole it provides that balances the receiving-and-releasing process of oxygen and toxic gases.
Take note that floating de-icers don’t actually “heat” the water, so if the pond has fish or other pond animals needing heated water temperature during the winter, then a submersible heater will be needed.
Submersible Pond De-icer
These types of pond deicers are controlled by the use of thermostat, so one saves money in due course, particularly during winter when warm spells happen. Submersible types are better choices for ponds that are shallower, as they sit at the pond’s bottom on top of a platform and warms from bottom going up. Apparently, ponds that are too deep can’t use submersible ones, as they’ll not be effective in gas release; however, they do help bigger fish to hibernate.
Pond deicers work best if placed at the pond’s deepest point. The majority of pond deicers automatically boot on when water temperature goes below 40°F. Remember to clean-off snow on the pond’s surface after big snowstorms, to make it a lighter task for de-icers.
Pond de-icers are helpful devices, but they will not be necessary if one has a pond heater. Just remember that the two devices are different, and they perform two different functions as well. Pond de-icers typically vary in prices, but start from $50 to $70. One may also consider a Thermo Cube where the de-icer can be plugged into –this will control the de-icer to work at required temperatures.
An inexpensive and easy way of helping the pond get through winter, pond de-icers are essential pond devices that ensures one doesn’t have to purchase an all-new pond life when winter leaves. They’re simple and needs no effort to let the pond and its inhabitants survive the “freezing” winter.