Outdoor Pond --- what to do with my KOI???

[rossb]

Go to the UFA and get a horse Trough heater ... it just floats on the surface and does not allow it to freeze up. Good even for Edmonton winters

I tried the trough heater last fall and although it kept the pond clear we estimate it cost 40 bucks to keep a 2000 gallon pond open in November. It would be less if you also covered the pond.

This is my fourth year with an indoor pond and my fish have grown from 1" to 10-20 inches. For the last three years I had a rigid liner that I cribbed with wood and I brought them into the basement. I also have a turtle so the pond works well. Sunnyside has the rigid liners on for 1/2 price right now. I also have a large biological filter to help with the turtle waste.

This year I made a 4X4X2 pond that is connected to a 90 gallon tank and a 60 gallon filter. It works very well and the fish do well all winter. I am just finishing the new pond and it will fit in nicely in the basement.

I have a link to a DIY floating heater that uses a 25 W bulb that also works. The fellow that tried it lives in sylvan lake and he says it kept a 12" square open on the top of the pond..but his pond is 5' deep. it might work if you added some bubble wrap over the rest of your pond. He wasn't worried about the fish...

My call is either be prepared to spend the money on the heater or build an indoor pond. (the new one with liner cost me $150 bucks). I have pictures and plans on request.