Using Deicers to Keep Your
Outdoor Aquatic Life Safe
Pond deicers are an ingenious way to keep your pond life safe and healthy. A pond deicer basically warms or heats a specific area of the pond so as to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so that the pond does not freeze during winter. But it is not the same as a pond heater, which has a entirely different purpose.
It is essential to use a pond deicer especially during the cold seasons since the pond builds up toxic gases like methane that must be released. In normal weather this is an automatic process. But if the pond freezes up, these gases get trapped inside and decompose the organic matter. By using a pond deicer this can be prevented and your pond will get the oxygen it requires – especially so if you maintain fish like the Koi carp in your pond, in which case you will need Koi pond deicers.
Pond deicers generally work for the smaller sized ponds that have a 1200 square feet area. These deicers come with a preset temperature of around 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pond deicers come in different forms. You can opt for floating deicers, submersible deicers, liquid deicers or convertible deicers. Whichever type you opt for, you will need to plug them into a power point.
The floating type deicers float around the pond and help to keep a larger area of the pond free from ice so that the pond releases its toxic stuff into the air. This is suited for small ponds. The Tetrapond floating deicer comes in a faux stone housing and comes with a built in thermostat.
The submersible deicers use a thermostat to balance the temperature and are more economical. These are ideal for shallow ponds. This deicer is located at the bottom of the pond and warms the water so that it spreads from the bottom upwards. It is not workable for deep ponds.
You also get solar power pond deicers that are energy efficient.
If you already have a pond heater, then a pond deicer is redundant. But the two of them are not identical and deicers cost a lot less. Deicers do not heat your pond, while a pond heater actually heats the pond. The purpose of a deicer is to just thaw a portion of the ponds surface and keep it from freezing so that toxic gases can be released, allowing oxygen to come in.
Pond deicers more or less create a hole for breathing in your garden pond so that you need not worry about your fish being affected by the freezing winter. If there is no oxygen coming in, the fish get stressed out and develop disease and die.
Installing a pond deicer is best done well before the ice forms on your pond surface, or at least when it is a thin layer. The deicer is capable of melting its way into the pond. If your pond has already begun to freeze, then you might want to drill a hole in the ice and locate the deicer.
By keeping your pond deicer plugged into a thermo cube, you can control its temperature at the required level and cut energy costs. It works by regulating the temperature in such a way that when the temperature is more than 45 degrees Fahrenheit, it turns off the deicer. When the temperature reaches 35 degrees, it turns the deicer back on resulting in big saving on energy costs.
Pond deicers can be made even more effective when you use them in conjunction with an air or water pump. It is important to check your pond deicers periodically to ensure they are operating properly especially since they are electrical devices.
Related Links:
API 7621 1000-Watt Floating Pond Heater with 15-Foot Cord
API 15N 1500-Watt Sinking Pond Heater with Guard and 6-Ft Cord
Farm Innovators H4615 1500 Watt Floating Pond De-Icer
API 7521 Floating 1,500-Watt Pond De-Icer/Heater
