I bought this unit last week and had a 1/2 inch layer of ice on my pond but had a small opening where my water moves. I plugged it in and the next day no ice. Now my pond water is up to 50 degree's and it is 7 outside. I thought this shut off once it hit a certain temp. Is my broken? I bought this unit last week and had a 1/2 inch layer of ice on my pond but had a small opening where my water moves. I plugged it in and the next day no ice. Now my pond water is up to 50... » Read More I bought this unit last week and had a 1/2 inch layer of ice on my pond but had a small opening where my water moves. I plugged it in and the next day no ice. Now my pond water is up to 50 degree's and it is 7 outside. I thought this shut off once it hit a certain temp. Is my broken? « Show Less
366414
It doesn't have a thermostat. The styrofoam float in mine melted after about a week and it sink to the bottom. my pond guy says not to use it on the bottom as it can melt through your pond liner. After 3 emails to the company with no reply, I threw the unit away.
366415
Are you using it as a floating device or sunken device. Mine is on the bottom of the pond. NC climate is pretty mild compared to some. If you are floating it unit might be effected by air temp.
366416
Ours stays on a lot but it's not boiling the fish. LOL I really don't know what to tell you except to contact the factory. Good luck!
366417
I don't think it has an auto shut of. Mine does not sit off either, so I put a thermostat on the outlet.
366418
NO, I don't think so. What volume is your pond? Also, with the moving water it keeps dispersing the heat throughout the pond. I think that you are good... Just make sure that the unit doesn't evaporate too much water and get hung-up fully exposed to the air (totally out of the water) cuz it can melt.
2088123
The only way I know if the deicer is working is if there is ice formed all the way around it, I wiggle the cord and if it is floating freely, it is working. The heat is on the underside so there really is no other way that I know to check it. Just don't let snow build up on it as it make cock sideways or sink.
574111
Honestly.. Prob. NOT... if it didn't work in a small pond what would be Tue likelyhood of it working in a wide open lake.. I say no. Don't buy from this guy or gal.. Whoever the supplier is.. They never contacted me on replacing the one I bought.. Save your money and find someone else..
1136069
It's possible that your water is already above the temperature that the heater is set for. Either that or it's a defective unit, like the other answer said!
46913
I wondered the same thing, so I experimented with it. (I have two, actually). In a room that was about 42 degrees, they heated the water to about 52 degrees. I have to wonder why they're heating the water when it's not even close to freezing. A waste of electricity. I guess I have to go back to unplugging them when it's above freezing outside.I also tried it at room temperature, and they did not heat the water. So the thermostat does work, but not at the target temperature that you would expect (at or just above 32 degrees).
529327
I don't know about that I only use it in my pond. You might try contacting the manufacturer.
1338363
My birdbath holds about 2 gallons of water. Several days ago the temperature hit minus 12 degrees where I live. No freeze-up occurred.
1423437
Gardnerville, NV. The HL skimmer filter has wintered over successfully without much prep. We didn't run the pump and filter for the cold season. Ice formed in the box but did not crack it. The pond froze over. Ran an air pump and maintained an air hole in the ice. This year we will probably go with a simple water trough heater in addition to the air pump so that we don't have to smash the ice around the hole to make it bigger. Temps got down to the low teens consistently starting in November.
431426
Take out the filter and look at the "evaporator". It will probably be covered with ice. I believe this means the unit is low on freon. I had the same problem and have not been able to find anyone to repair it. Mine lasted two seasons.
1535470
I would add to the previous comment two points: Water boils at different temperatures depending upon one's elevation; I'm at 1380-1385 feet or so, and if I recall properly my water boils closer to 205*F than 212; so look up your elevation and factor in the correction. With regard to chips of ice and water, the temp will be a little higher than freezing, given the water is obviously not frozen; when I calibrate my thermometer probes for testing produce I look for a reading closer to 33*F, or 34*F, when left sitting in a glass of ice water; clearly the more surface area of the ice chips the better, and allow a few minutes for the temp to stabilize. I would add to the previous comment two points: Water boils at different temperatures depending upon one's elevation; I'm at 1380-1385 feet or so, and if I recall properly my water boils closer to 205*F than 212; so look up your elevation and factor in the correction. With regard to chips of ice and water, the temp will be a little higher than freezing, given the water is obviously not frozen; when I calibrate my thermometer probes for testing produce I look for a reading closer to 33*F, or 34*F, when left sitting in a glass of ice water; clearly the more surface area of the ice chips the... » Read More I would add to the previous comment two points: Water boils at different temperatures depending upon one's elevation; I'm at 1380-1385 feet or so, and if I recall properly my water boils closer to 205*F than 212; so look up your elevation and factor in the correction. With regard to chips of ice and water, the temp will be a little higher than freezing, given the water is obviously not frozen; when I calibrate my thermometer probes for testing produce I look for a reading closer to 33*F, or 34*F, when left sitting in a glass of ice water; clearly the more surface area of the ice chips the better, and allow a few minutes for the temp to stabilize. « Show Less
1353462
Yes! Return it. I had one that leaked and they're not supposed to leak. I had no problem returning it and actually got a replacement the next day. Also, I have 3 of these fountains. Living in Phoenix, I like the water around 80 degrees. I left them on by accident during the night and it dropped the temp to 72 which was too cold to swim in, for me. It doesn't take long for them to cool the water down.
1586776
It keeps my 150 gallon pond a warm 75 degrees, but it fluctuates. It is made for an aquarium, so I would guess it will take a while, but it will warm a 250 gallon tank...though it may fluctuate some. Mine fluctuates about 10 degrees (5 up, 5 down), keep in mind mine is outdoors and the outside temps fluctuate too. ;)P.S. I am very happy with my purchase!
456216
Good question, because it's difficult to know. Last year I didn't realize mine was not working until it was too late and the pond had frozen solid, locking the heater in. I didn't replace it and this season am using a small pump instead to maintain an open area in my pond's surface. Good luck!
1409126
I have a 750 watt. I live in mid Michigan. I have it on a timer for 12 hours at night. It keeps a open area usually about 2 feet around the heater (pond is less than 3 feet deep there) most days. When its really cold, the circle shrinks. My fish seem to do fine: I have it near the rock pile they hang out in. You could go a higher wattage or just have it run longer. I got it in 2011 I believe so this will be its 3rd winter. good luck
773463
I had it running this weekend in arrowhead it was fine. The heater was on to the house. I would imagine if it was below 30 the motor may not like it. I would not assume that because the water is moving it will not freeze at a lower temp. But I am sure the motor is not designed for freezing. But it really moves the water.
836694
I've not taken the temp of the heated water. I don't know what birds can tolerate but none of them seem to have a problem. We've had maybe a total of 10 days below freezing this winter and a few of those had lows in the teens. That's really cold for us. Because I have a shallow bird bath, I didn't give a second thought to adding water ever day. Evaporation due to the heater? Maybe a luttle bit.
175285
I leave mine outside all year round. I plug it in as soon as there is a nip in the air but as others have said it does not "heat" the water, it just keeps it from freezing. Our temps this winter have been well below zero and I noticed some ice on the water but usually it is OK. It is exposed to all types of weather elements from heat to rain to snow and there is no trouble. Racoons, possums, birds, and cats have all come to get a drink from the bowl all year. You do have to monitor the water level.