What is needed to heat a pond

[DLV082]

I have an pond in the courtyard and the temp in spring/summer ranges from 22 - 27 degrees celcius. If I wanted to heat this pond in winter the keep it 22 degrees celcius minimum what would be required. The pond is approx 1000 litres give or take 100 litres.

The reason I would like to know is that my gibbiceps pleco for the last two years has been living during the warmer months in the pond and I would like to leave him their all year round as he is getting rather large.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Debbie

[Dangerdoll]

They do have the pond heaters but most are meant only to keep the water surface free of ice for the gas exchange of the pond during the winter motnhs. I'm not so sure if they make a heater for the full pond. How cold do the winters get for you? Do you get snow at all?

[DLV082]

No we do not get snow at all. The coldest it would get overnight where I live is perhaps 3 degrees celcius, and the pond would never ice over.

Cheers
Debbie

[Sploke]

I would probably look at something in the neighborhood of 800-1000w for heating an outdoor pond, if you're planning on keeping it at tropical temps of 70-80 degrees. Covering it with an insulated cover would help energy consumtion. They do make stock tank heaters in that size that sink rather than float.

[Reddog80p]

If your pleco is tropical I'd continue to bring it in.If its getting too big, I'd consider taking in back to your LFS in exchage for a smaller one and bring that one in. I keep all my pond fish outside (comets/KOI) in temperature that sometimes reaches sub-Zero. All I have is a floating heater and a airstone set half way between the bottom and surface for aeration. MY fish are extremely hardy and can handle this. Heating pond water could prove very expensive.

[Adam78]

if u really want to heat your pond...u could use a solar heater for a pool...or a gas fired heater....when i was breeding fresh water yabbies i did use a gas water heater but the costs to setup are very high....but the turn over i had was like 200.000 yabbies in winter... where i made big $$$$ in the winter in australia...but for a few fish in a pond its not worth it.....anyway summer has only started in oz soo u have a longtime to think it over.

[legendaryfrog]

Since its only 1000 liters, Im sure something in the region of 1000 watts would be decent enough to keep your pond at sub-tropical temps.

[Firebelly__girl]

I agree with above, how cold does your area get? If you can keep it in the 60's im sure the pleco would be fine for a few monthes, their pretty hardy fish as are goldfish. You need to put some type of cover over it and it will help keep it warm also.

[Firebelly__girl]

above talking about legendaryfrog :] (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=60013)