10/30/99

Question:

Please advise how to care for tadpoles which became bullfrogs in August. My pond is 36" deep and approx. 10 x 8'. This is the first winter I intend on keeping the inhabitants outside all season. I have a deicer and plywood cover.

Answer:

Hadon...

Ponds 30 inches deep or deeper I use a bubbler for the winter. I would also add a tray of sand in the bottom of the pond for the critters. The plywood is not going to help you for the winter. The sunlight through the ice is helpful to the pond and its inhabitants. If you make it too dark you will make a liquid compost pile and have little gas exchange (anaerobic).

Thanks and I hope that this was helpful,

Scott Bates