Small Air Pump does a Big Job with Ice

16 years ago

When I turned off my waterfall last month, I added an aquarium air pump. My goal was to continue to provide oxygen to my fish. I purchased the largest air pump available at my local Walmart. The pump has two air outlets, so I also purchased two fifteen inch air stones.

I've been running the four watt air pump for the past month. I also have a forty watt pump set up with a bubbler, but I have not yet turned it on.

Last night the temperatures dropped down to about five degrees Fahrenheit and my pond is frozen over except for two holes above the suspended air stones. I didn't expect the temps to drop as low as they did and I dug out my stock tank heater when I saw the readings on my outdoor thermometer.

It was a nice surprise to see two holes in the pond ice. I'll keep the stock tank heater on stand-by, but I'm going to rely on the air pump for now. Four watts is a lot less then one thousand five hundred watts.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

comettose
16 years ago
Bubblers are great unless you live in a very cold zone and have extended freezing temperatures. Extended frigis snaps taxes their effectiveness so you are smart to have two backups (pump and stock tank heater).
maryo_nh
16 years ago
John, I did the same, and the effect is much better than I expected. I have probably the same pump, with its two lines and a total of three little air stones hanging down and bubbling away. I hung these off of my little island of three 45 Watt Tetra de-icers. We had our first real cold snap, and the air bubbles keep a very nice hole open. The de-icers are the back-up.

Yeay for the low Watt air pumps!

:) Mary
Related Discussions
Which air pump to buy????
Q
Comments (8)
I do the same thing Zinniachick does - cheap Wal-mart double outlet air pump, silicone tubing, two backflow preventers, and two air stones. I bought a plastic box with lid (the size of a shoebox) and cut holes on each end for the tubing/electric cord to come out and the air pump is inside the box. I wrap the whole thing loosely with scrap rubber liner so it will stay dry but allow air in, and place the box on on a few raised bricks to it keep off the ground, and a paver on top to hold it all down. It sits outside the pond about 6" away from one corner and is not heated. The air bubbles keep a nice size hole open and if it dips to sub-zero for a week the hole gets smaller and may even dome up, but once it warms a bit more the hole opens back up again. It makes a great spot for birds to drink too. They walk out over the ice to the bubbling hole. I do not recommend putting your bubbler under the de-icer. Let the deicer freeze into the ice and keep a small hole like it is designed to do. Bubbles splash a bit and could cover the deicer bubbling up around it. I was lazy and left my bubbler in since last winter and it is out there bubbling right now. Now I won't have to do anything, just leave it. The fish like the bubbles. I twist the tubing (remember I have a double outlet air pump) so two tubes shooting out air, and the tubing is twisted lightly so the two air stones are near each other (a few inches apart). I get stronger bubble action in a small space that way. The air stones are about 12" down in my Zone 7b pond.
...See More
JennAir Ice Spills ?
Q
Comments (4)
We have a G.E. Profile FD that has the same problem. I learned a new shimmy&shake move while opening the ice drawer to reduce the problem. Slowly, open the drawer a few inches then abruptly push it in, but not all the way. It shifts the ice in such a way that it reduces the jumping ice. Sure seems silly to do this being what we paid for the fridge.
...See More
heat pump vs central air
Q
Comments (25)
dabbindan, Yes, I got a Bryant system and they are indeed 100% the same as the Carrier ones. Only the brand sticker is different. So get a quote on the same models from each side and pick the cheapest. As for the heat pump vs a/c... heck, if you are that unsure about the heat pump reliability with it turning on and off all the time, just use it as an a/c only. But still buy the Heat Pump. If you only use it in a/c mode, then it is using the same mechanical components as a normal a/c. The reversing valves just won't activate to heat mode. With regard to the 90 furnace though, I'd be more concerned over getting an above 80 high efficienecy furnace's reliability than the heat pump. Make sure you ask about and read up on their known quirks and issues too. Just cause it's just a burning flame doesn't mean it doesn't have LOTS of complex circuits and parts that can fail as well. I know the 80 AFUE furnaces are simpler and more reliable than the 90+ ones. That difference might be small, but it's no smaller than worrying about a heat pump's reliability. Hope that gives you some more to think about...
...See More
Just a small electrical fire, no big deal
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks. I believe it will actually be two new motors and not complete pumps. The first bad pump, he pulled the strainer out and stuck his hand in (presumably to feel the impeller?) and said "yup, frozen," so had it on the list to be replaced before the other one decided to get all dramatic. I am going to contact the home warranty co about the electric again. I'd mentioned it before the pool tech came out, and the home warranty co thought the pool tech should be able to service it. I told them that in my state (OK) I think there are pool people and electrical people but they are not the same people. Home warranty co disagreed. I brought it up with the pool tech, and he said he is not an electrician and is not licensed to do more than hook up the pumps to what is there. And while he couldn't be sure anything was wrong with the wiring, there were definitely things that were "hinky" with the whole electrical set-up. Many of the wire conduits are unscrewed from the pump body, exposing the wires inside the conduit sleeve. There is a total rats' nest of wires with connector nuts resting on the concrete pad in front of the pumps, sitting in the water that is leaking from the pool pump's bad seal. He surmised that there used to be a junction box with switches at the equipment pad, but at some point it was taken out and the wires were all just wired up with connectors and left laying out. The breaker panel is located at the equipment pad, so maybe the owner figured it was just as easy to use the breakers to control the switches. I'm not sure what the warranty co will cover with regards to the electrical. Contract says "above ground plumbing and electrical." Got good news today that they will cover two new pump motors and three sets of seals. That will fix leak in pool pump, plus replace the spa circ pump and spa jet pump. Once that gets going, we can see if the heater and filter for the spa are operational.
...See More
newbirdman
16 years ago
I've been doing the same thing for many years with the same pump from walmart . The pond will freeze enough to satnd on but that little air pump always keeps an open hole for rhe bad chemicals to excape . Thats the reason for the pump , not to give oxygen to the fish . They dont need much in cold weather . Be sure to cover the pump to keep rain and snow off . Rick
maryo_nh
16 years ago
And my air pump keeps bubbling! So far, in spite of really low night temps, the air bubbles have continued to find their way out. My pump sits on a brick, under an upside-down shoebox-size plastic box, on the little bridge, right over an opening between the boards. That way air can always get in, but moisture stays out.

The 45-Watt deicer islands are still plugged in since the last cold snap. I'll get my snowboots on and trample over to the outlet box one of these days, I really don't think the bubbler needs the help.

One more month and things will be looking up!

:) Mary
johnkr
Original Author
16 years ago
Mary, My air pump has not let me down as it continues to do an impressive job. I've had a few nights of near zero temps and although the holes were smaller, the bubble continued to maintain two openings in my pond ice.

While I was in Walmart to purchase my air pump, I passed through the sporting goods department and spotted a boat battery box which I also purchased. The battery box is made of heavy plastic and is intended to transport and contain a car battery for use in a boat. It has a roof like lid with and open area on the side for battery cables. The openings allow plenty of oxygen in , but keep the rain and snow out. I did drill two small holes to run the air hose out, but that was easy. The box is doing a great job and cost me about $7. The equipment cost is easily recovered in reduced electricity usage.

So far, I'm very happy with the setup. I wish I had tried it years ago.

Small Air Pump does a Big Job with Ice

Comments (5)

comettose

maryo_nh

Related Discussions

newbirdman

maryo_nh

johnkr
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Small Air Pump does a Big Job with Ice

Comments (5)

comettose

maryo_nh

Related Discussions

newbirdman

maryo_nh

johnkrOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

johnkr
Original Author