DIY Garden Pond Update | Water Temps and Winterizing | Part 6

In this video I prep for the first winter. A simple process. The bulk of this is measuring water temps at depth/s and comparing the variations in temperature under different weather conditions. This was mainly to get an idea of how ground temperature effects water temperature.
The cost of this build was around $3k because I did all the work alone. This would cost between $15-$25k to be done by pros. That's not including the well dig either. Well digs are also very costly. It only cost me the tools.
Playlist for this series - • My DIY Pond
Here are some affiliate links for the thing I used:
Water Conditioner - amzn.to/3L2syXw
In-line 12v Photocell - amzn.to/3mEnTS5
in-line 12v Dimmer - amzn.to/3A1lHaz
Utility Pump - amzn.to/3MNNAug
1.25" Flex PVC - amzn.to/408gmc5
Pond Pump - amzn.to/3L47tM6
Liners/Underlayments - justpondliners.com/
12v Lights - www.lowes.com/pd/Portfolio-3-...
Time Lapse Camera - amzn.to/40crxAy
Electric Auger (to dig the well) - amzn.to/44VmCGZ
Pitcher Pump - amzn.to/3QlukGn
Post Hole Digger (A regular spiral auger won't work) - a.co/d/h39Arxu
Pump (not the same brand but same thing) - amzn.to/3K3VBsG
-You can get the Drummond brand pump from Harbor Freight

[@GrowingAnswers]

Thanks for watching. It's been a while since I have posted a video and I have me own reasons for that. I was hoping I could observe the effects of colder temperatures have on the pond but this winter might be more mild than usual during the coldest months for this region. I have some partial data for this video but it doesn't really answer some of the main questions I have. Such as; "Is the pump deep enough in the ground to avoid freezing?" and "How warm will the water be near the bottom during long periods of very cold weather?" and "Will the aerator be sufficient for keeping a spot on the surface from freezing over?" Look for those answers in another future video.

[@MirchiBoy]

I appreciate all your content. I'm trying to overwinter my pepper plants as an experiment. Have a happy new year

[@lightdark00]

I had a 4.5 feet deep straight sides little pond. The bottom was on the bedrock, and it was fridget during the summer at the bottom. The goldfish that were 4-8 inches long sure liked to stay at the bottom.

[@jamess1787]

I remember going ice fishing like, 25 years ago onto a lake. I remember augering more than 3' to break through the ice. 🤯. Deep freeze that year. Reaching to the bottom of the hole and I couldn't touch the bottom before it broke through

[@GrowingAnswers]

Yeah but that’s all dependent on how close the ground is to the surface. In a 12ft deep lake it wouldn’t be hard to see 2ft of ice. But a 4ft deep pond would be hard to freeze to 3ft. Around here 18” is below the freeze line.

[@Kalanchoe1]

if i recall correctly, most algae thrive off of ammonia and struggle when they bacterial system can convert the all the ammonia to nitrates (which plants prefer). managing the nitrogen cycle helps a lot but it isnt everything. ammonia spikes happen easily for various reasons. they also sell animal and plant friendly blue dye to limit how much red light algae has access to.

[@lightdark00]

I used small plecos to keep ponds clean during the summer, and then trade in the now 8-10" plecos to the pet store.
As for keeping the water algae free, a uv filter was the thing that worked perfectly.

[@GrowingAnswers]

You were able to keep string/hair algae at bay with a UV filter?

[@lightdark00]

@@GrowingAnswers Anchored string algae was a job for the plecos, snails or the koi. A decent UV filter will get the water crystal clear. It just needs to be followed up with sponge material to collect all the dead algae, that's emptied as needed.

[@GrowingAnswers]

@@lightdark00 yeah i don’t have green water issues so the uv won’t really help me.

[@kimberlydrennon4982]

In my experience water from a bedrock well is just as likely to have high TDS, if not worse than stratigraphically higher aquifers. Unless you know details about the aquifers in your area the only improvement from a deeper aquifer is likely less nitrates. Long term you might want to replenish your pond water with DI or distilled water
Edit: the fish poop phosphates so that is the source of your phosphates.

[@GrowingAnswers]

I’ve tried 3 different nitrate test kits and they all read 0. Even in my fish tank. So I know that’s not possible. I still don’t know how high the nitrates are in my pond.

[@wadya]

How's your moso bamboo now buddy? Would you like to make a video update about it?

[@GrowingAnswers]

I’ll be updating that next year too