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How deep should a pond be to leave moving water at the bottom

NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
in Problem solving
Any suggestions friends
There are so many different depths offered on the web
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure I understand the question!  :D
    What do you mean by 'to leave moving water' ?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    What do you actually want to do with your pond, fish, wildlife, water lilies?
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I assume you mean how deep to avoid it freezing solid.  If so anything over 18" deep should be OK.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    KT53 said:
    I assume you mean how deep to avoid it freezing solid.  If so anything over 18" deep should be OK.
    Ahhh -  didn't think of that  ;)

    Yeh - 18 inches would probably be enough, but what's in the pond and what it's for  will also help determine the best depth. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    It also depends where you live, what will keep a pond liquid in the UK will not work in Finland, and be total overkill somewhere warmer. where I am it needs to be around 1m deep at the deepest point.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Yes, Skandi is absolutely right! 18 inches is nothing in a cold climate and even in less chilly climes, could leave only a minimum of unfrozen water. First you need to think how much water you want unfrozen and why. A solid cover of ice will kill off fish in shallow water and should be prevented. There are several ways of doing this.
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    I live in Bristol

    Just a wildlife pond for the frogs and others ........no fish.....I have a steel frame to lay over it to stop children falling in as its on my allotment

    Thanks for all the advice 
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I've always understood that 60cm/24" was the minimum depth to maintain a steady 6 to 8C temperature at the bottom and allow life to go on.  The main problem is when the top freezes and there is then a lack of oxygen below so you need a way to aerate when it does freeze.  Just smashing the ice will lead to concussion so you need to melt a patch each day or find a way of stopping it all freezing.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    Obelixx...........

    Professional as ever

    The aluminium frame will sit about 2 below the surface but I dont think this will help.
    I got 48% in Physics !!

    A frioend said a tennis ball floating on the surface will help but again I cant see that this will solve the problem

    I intend to visit the plot at least every other day just for the fresh air



    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Physics is not my strong point either.   I know about the ball thing but don't understand how it would work, even with a bigger ball.   Surely any self respecting freeze will just push the ball up above the ice and freeze below it?   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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