I've never found that works @strelitzia32. They just freeze into the surface I have a piece of polystyrene, covered with black gaffer tape, which I float on the surface. The underside has an indent [from something ball shaped it came wrapped round] and that keeps an open area on the surface. It's also got a wire on it to attach it to the side to stop it disappearing in the wind.
I use a small pond heater and thermostat in my small Minnow/Stickleback pond for the Winter. The pond is feed by an artificial stream from the external filter and the stream has a gravel bottom for the Minnows to lay their eggs. It has never frozen but it is sheltered by high fencing and bushes plus, it has a 2' 6" wide bridge over it which does afford shade in the Summer and weather protection in the Winter. The fish do tend to congregate around the heater in what seems to be perfect harmony and they breed well so it must suit them. It is reasonably well planted and Duckweed proliferates in the Summer. I feed flake food especially during breeding and the Sticklebacks DO eat it quite avidly. I also feed them Daphnia from my own breeding tub (far cheaper than buying and far superior food quality too). I also feed them Brine Shrimp which they go mad over. If you want Sticklebacks to breed you must plant well and feed live food now and again. For Minnows to breed you must have fairly shallow moving water with a gravel bottom. A feeder stream from your filter is ideal. My pond is only 5' x 3" X 2" deep with a small 5' X 1' 6" feeder stream running quite fast. This also creates the moving water via circulation in the pond essential for Minnows.
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