Fountain Pump Care During Freezing Weather?

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by cherylad, Nov 6, 2011.

  1. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    I'm in zone 9A in SE Texas and we do get a few days of pretty good freezes. However, normally, we don't stay in the "freezing" temps for more than a few hours. But last year we were under 32F for at least 24-30 hours.
    I have two fountain pumps.
    One is in a pretty shallow reservoir... maybe 4-6 inches in a bird bath.
    I'm pretty sure I should remove this "shallow" pump when we're expecting those kind of temps.
    But the other one is in 2 foot of water. Should I also remove it when there's a threat of freezing temps?
    And if/when removed... do I need to store it indoors or would it be okay to leave undercover near the "pond" so it would be easy to place back in during spells of warmer weather?
     
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  3. Danjensen

    Danjensen In Flower

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    The main issue with the freezing temps is the water freezing inside of pipes and not being able to expand and causing the pipes to break.

    At 2 ft you pump should be safe, as it will take longer than 24hrs to freeze that deep.

    4-6 inches is still quite deep considering your zone so should be ok and will be better protected inside the water than laid outside next to the pond.

    my bigger concern would be the fountain nozzles if you use them as they are typically hard plastic and a small hole which is close to the surface and the freezing area.

    overall 2ft water will take a long time to freeze, 3-4 inches just keep an eye on.
     
  4. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    Thanks Dan. I was thinking the deeper one would be okay. Last year during our heaviest freeze, the ice wasn't even an inch thick. I'll probably end up taking out the shallow one during a heavy freeze... just to be safe.
    Also... do you know if water temperature affects the pumps operation? Seems I remember reading on the box that it should be kept at a certain temp (and I've since tossed it away).
     
  5. FountainMan

    FountainMan Seedling

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    One thing I've found to work is to have the pump and if it included a "Waterell" nozzle, position the nozzle just below the surface and tighten it to where the water is under pressure and this turns it into a deicer/aerator. The moving water keeps a hole open. However this requires that the pump be running 24/7. If shut off the nozzle may get damaged. Otherwize, there's always the other route. Drain the pond and store the pump for winter.
     
  6. Danjensen

    Danjensen In Flower

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    water temp shouldn't affect the pump process.

    only thing to be careful of is if you think the water in the lines is frozen and blocking the water coming out. or bits of ice going into the pump.

    as long as its liquid pump should run fine
     

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