DIY Koi Pond Covers - More Effective Than Polycarbonate??
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- DIY Koi Pond Covers - More Effective Than Polycarbonate??
As Materials increase in price, the cost to cover our Koi ponds with polycarbonate sheets through the cold weather becomes even more unaffordable, with many, myself included choosing not to cover for this very reason.
But what if there is a much more effective and cheaper solution? In this video I aim to find out by building my own DIY Koi pond covers out of 2x1 treated timber, 2 inch Polystyrene and Polythene sheeting.
The thermal value of Polystyrene compared to Polycarbonate sheets is considerably lower, making it a much better insulator for retaining heat. Polycarbonate has a thermal conductivity of around 0.22w/mk whilst polystyrene has a thermal conductivity of about 0.033w/mk. That equates to around 6.5 times more effective at retaining heat than polycarbonate. Which when you compare prices of both, to me it was a no brainer to give it a try in an attempt to gain some heat in the water an most importantly, retain it in order to get my water temperature up to be able to bring my new fish home safely.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy the video!
Nice update buddy👍😊. Sounds like you had a tuff time of it with the wind☹️😡. Polystyrene sheets are indeed better than polycarbonate for heat retention in the pond, and much cheaper 👍😊. Where polycarbonate compares better is light transmission I.e. polycarbonate covers will allow the daylight through so the fish aren’t in the dark all the time👍😊. Covers are always a talking point so very interesting to see your slant on things, what we really need is for someone to invent clear/see through polystyrene and then we’ll all be using it😊👍
yeah its just unfortunate that all the best insulating materials aren't transparent haha. I've fitted hinges on one of them at least so I can flip the cover back on mild days to give them some light👍 The wind was terrible, trying to lay a 4x3 metre sheet out in 50mph winds is no fun😂
Excellent update and a good idea with the polystyrene. 👍🏻
Thank you👍😀
I’ve been using 2 layers of 2” polystyrene covers for 7 years here in frigid Canada. Of course they work very well at keeping heat. Over the years I’ve learned that koi need that daylight trigger for their circadian rhythm, that daylight helps with water quality, and that, besides on the coldest of days, that the greenhouse effect can actually increase water temperatures. So now I use a combination of both polystyrene and polycarbonate. I’m still learning about what the perfect balance is. One thing I’m sure of is that koi do benefit from seeing the daylight slowly rise and then slowly set. It helps their hormonal system to work it’s best.
Hi mate great update I use polycarbonate covers but I have for wind chill more than anything . But I seen many people use all sorts for covers , is a hit and miss subject in the old koi world , as say no harm trying things and if it work for you why not 👌👍👍
thanks👍 no harm in trying for a fraction of the cost. I'll know over the next few days if they're making a difference because uncovered the water temperature swung so much. I guess I will only really tell how well they are at heat retention is if I was to make the plunge into an ASHP, I'm trying my best not to at the minute though and see if I can raise the temperature over the next couple of months naturally👍
@@UpNorthKoiPond totally get were your coming from all way s worth trying and experimenting 👌👍
One thing that you might try is to put an incandescent light of about 75 - 100 watts (or larger) near the air intake of your air pump(s). This will bring up the temps also just by itself. Larger wattage equals higher heat and of course higher cost for power. If it has a cover over the pumps and light, it is much better and more efficient. I had to over-winter my heavy load of fish in a 1000 gallon holding tank since my enlarging of main pond was not complete. Fed fish all winter and they loved it.
That's a very clever idea and one I just might give a go👍😎
At least with the 2" polystyrene it's fairly rigid as well, just keep a eye on it cos got more bad wind on way, hopefully you will get temperature up and looking forward to seeing new koi.
hopefully with them being in frames they should stay put. wind can't really get underneath them enough to lift them so should be ok👍
Great update mate hope the polystyrene works for you👍👍
Cheers buddy 👍
Covers look good mate I understand what you mean about the thermal conductivity and totally agre I don't have my pond covered so it's niter here nor there for me but I think alot use the poly carb coz of its strength and it let's natural light in and when there's some sun not alot this time of year mind but it might have that green house effect also if you get me but definitely cheaper doing what you have done and looks really neat and tidy 👍👍😉
tbf I was quite surprised in the strength of the polystyrene, especially with a support in the middle. The covers are very easy to move about too. I know what you are saying regarding the light but in reality the main goal of covering is heat retention, so if it means sacrificing light for a small period of time in order to trap heat, it's something I can live with, plus i can open them up on mild days too👍
@@UpNorthKoiPond fair point mate 😉👍
Great update bud covers look mint 👌
Thank you! hopefully they'll do the job.😀
@@UpNorthKoiPond course they will no one disputes there thermal capability it's just they block out all the natural sunlight that's why most people don't use em otherwise there great they need to make a transparent version 🤣
@@keepingitkoi that's true, but my view is the whole purpose of covering is for maximum heat retention? but you are correct about blocking out light, part of the reason I fitted hinges on one of them so I could open it up on mild days to let light & warm air in👍 Thanks for watching😀
@@UpNorthKoiPond honestly though bud they look awesome cracking job and they will certainly keep the heat in and you will get your fish way before April 👍
@@keepingitkoi Thank you, Here's to hoping for plenty of mild/warm days👍😎
Nice money saving tip mate and yes definitely have better heat retention, the only thing is unless you are going to remove them every day you may find the colours on your koi become washed out a little until they get back into the sun light , definitely windy up north saw some of it on the news , contact me and I’ll send you a mug just had a few more done
Yes a few people have mentioned about the washing out of colours. That's part of the reason I fitted hinges on the covers so I could open them up on mild days to let some natural light in👍
Like you say with out trying is the only way to find out init to win it as they say
absolutely!😁 certainly can't be any worse than before👍
Good idea I am planning on building the same sort of thing for my pond during the year ready for the winter later on. I would like to put one piece of polycarbonate in so as to let some light in for the Koi. Have you considered the lighting and the effect on the koi colours?
I have thought about it, but it isn't my main concern. The main concern is retaining maximum heat within the pond. I have one hinged to open it up on mild days to let light in, so it's not as though they are going to be completely without light for months on end. I'll just have to see how they respond and make any adjustments if necessary 👍
I would think about raising one side of your covers to allow a run off, plus the pond can gas off , and if we have snow (god forbid) it can be quite heavy.
Yeah that is something I have thought about doing, although it is still able to ventilate as there's a reasonable gap between the bottom of the first cover and the window. Don't mention the 'S' word, I hate the stuff😭.👍
Ask them to acclimatise your koi to lower temperature easier than you getting your temperature up mate.
I'm not sure they'd be able to as it would have to be in its own separate holding tank. ATM it's in a pond with other customers fish heated to 15c.
@@UpNorthKoiPond and they must have other votes available
@@keithbolger6760 I'm sure they will have but if every customer wanted the same to acclimatize their fish then it may get a little complicated. I'm also not too sure how much good it would do the fish bringing the temperature right Down to levels where it's immune system would shut down.
I'm not in any rush to bring it home but I would rather get my system up to temperature and get bacteria working better before it goes in. With what it cost, I just cannot take the risk👍