DIY Pond Vent and Reef

[Dave in Innisfil]

We live near Barrie, and had over 24 inches of ice to contend with in venting our main koi pond, and unusually bad predation of our fin-kids. The vent is a twist on another member's idea, Canadian-ized to account for our colder temps.

I took a black 20L pail and cut the bottom out of it. The pail was then snugged into a 12-inch car inner tube. The tube was then inflated until it firmly gripped the base of the pail. A water-tight octagon junction box, with a plastic lamp holder, was fixed to the lid of the pail, and snapped back into place. I covered the entire unit in a black nylon sleeping bag cover, for extra insulation. At night, we could see the white lid glowing to verify the unit was working, and would periodically remove the light lid to check ice depth. The pond froze over 100% around the floating pail, thus giving no access to our mink visitors.

In the past, we've also had problems kingfishers and herons. The fake heron has worked so far, but not against kingfishers. This fall I made an artificial reef using milk crates and weights. By tie-wrapping four together, it floated about 8 inches off the bottom all winter giving our fin-kids a safe haven. This spring, I lenghtened the anchor ropes on the weights to allow the unit to float in the centre of the pond. It won't be a permanent fixture, but will do until we can get some surface coverage from water plants. I just can't stand the look of netting. The fish seem to like it.

[Koidaddy]

Well... look who's back!! Where the heck have you been? - My fish still with ya?

Great little inventions you have there, Dave. Hope you manged better this year than last. Guess like everyone else you're anxious for Spring - Think we're all loosing it with this on again off again Winter!:flamer:


Happy Easter!
KD
:)

[Jackie Ramo]

Hey Dave!!! Good to see you.

My fish would like that contraption now. Not that they live in the dangers you fish but instinct tells them that they do. They feel exposed after being in the cacoon of the ice.

You certainly are thinking outside the box. I had never considered an underwater cover for them....

[Northern Pike]

Hi Dave in Innifsil

I'm living in Parry Sound Ont now but used to live in Innisfil near Sandy Cove back in the '80's...

However, I just lost all my koi (including several beautiful 18"-ers that w were getting quite attached to ) this winter to mink predation and was interested in reading your article on the pond vent.
It's funny because I have been thinking of building something similar this fall.
Before I had an airstone in the water, I lost some fish to gas build up. Then after I started venting the pond there was ofter a larger opening in the ice in thw winter and I assume that that's how and when the mink starting accessing my pond and getting the koi, shubunkins, and goldfish in the winter. I also have a large number of lake chub (fairly large minnows) but these always seem to be untouched. I guess that they are much more active in cold water than koi and so much harder to catch..

So, thanks for your article on venting. I am still thinking of using the airstone system but putting an inverted funnel over it and buiding a small floating pyramid (on pontoons or something similar) so the gas can vent but the ice should freeeze right up to the edge of the contraption and keep those mink out...

I assume that they come in to the pond before freeze up as well but most of their fishing is done in the severe months of the winter.
Have you had any more problems with mink since you built your vents?
Also, do you think putting black pond dye in the water in late fall would help make the fish harder to see for predators before the ice clsoes in?

Thanks
Robert