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  • Results 1 to 8 of 8

    Thread: Frozen skimmer question

    1. #1
      ffc3 is offline Member
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      Frozen skimmer question

      I don't want to lose any pond depth so I don't want to lower the water level below the skimmer opening during the winter. I am also not going to be running the pump during the winter. Will standing water in the skimmer split the skimmer box when frozen or do I need to find a way to keep water from entering the skimmer? What other options are there in zone 5? It is an Atlantic ps4500.

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    2. #2
      mpageler's Avatar
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      The greatest potential for freezing is in a closed or sealed situation where ice cannot expended into an open area. So in an open top skimmer, ice can expand upward but I guess I wouldn't risk it. You are not talking that much lost water depth is you drop it and several inches below the bottom of the floating weir. Once a poly type container or tanks cracks or splits, Yit's pretty hard to get a good fix. Lowering the depth so the skimmer is drained also allows you to drain the plumbing from the skimmer that may also freeze and then potential crack.
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    3. #3
      mtsklar is offline Senior Member
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      Yep, skimmers and winter don't mix. How about putting a hoop house over the pond.

    4. #4
      Rob Forbis is offline Senior Member
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      Would putting a material to absorb the ice’s expansion work (like bubble wrap)?

    5. #5
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      I've heard of folks putting a plastic milk jug in the skimmer to take up space. If ice forms, the theory is it will expand and crush the jug before it can bust the skimmer. I'd lower the water below the weir.
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    6. #6
      jeff reiter is offline Senior Member
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      any expansion relief mechanism that permits the ice to expand and contract will work just fine. with our swimming pool we floated different material and got good results. Joey S's idea is good. if the skimmer is smaller, empty plastic soda bottles will serve just fine.

    7. #7
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      I would be more worried about the plumbing than the actual skimmer. Here in Denver my clay soil will expand when wet and bow my skimmers in sometimes up to a couple of inches so there is some flexibility allowed with them (2x EasyPRO large skimmer). How deep is the associated plumbing and is it flex or rigid? If you are zone 5 like us I would imagine your frost line is 36" +/-. I like the idea of the milk/soda bottle. I hate winter!

    8. #8
      ffc3 is offline Member
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      Plumbing is about 16" buried. I'll try floating something and hope I don't need to buy a new skimmer in the spring. I have two toddlers so the water level in my pond is only 27". I read about different ways to protect children but wasn't going to risk it. I had thought it was closer to 36" but was way off.

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