:o
Hi, I have a 1,000 gal. rock lined pond with Biofalls filter system. It's 1 year old.
We have been lucky enough to have 1 or 2 frogs call it home.
I live in SW Ontario, Canada and the weather has been getting pretty cold.
Yesterday I opened up the skimmer box to clean it and there was our frog, enjoying the nice warm location!
I was able to catch her in my hand and put her back into the pond.
Well, today, guess what! She's right back in there!
Should I just leave her alone or make sure she gets into the pond before the real cold weather starts?
Maybe she's moved in because it's black and gets warm in the sun?
Thanks for any suggestions :)
Angie

The frog will be okay in the skimmer until it freezes (unless you drain it or block it somehow). Before it may freeze, you should remove the frog and someone block it off so the frog can't get back in. If the skimmer could have been left running (if you lived someplace warmer), then it wouldn't freeze but the constant water movement wouldn't be great for him either. Right now, the skimmer is probably warm and secluded which attracts the frog. Frogs like to go into my biofilter but I leave it running all year so they won't freeze in there (just potentially get squished by filter media). Good luck!

Thanks Robyn :)

I have the waterfall running, and a Thermopond de-icer in now. Prolly will shut off the filter soon though. I have a leak somewhere, probably at the waterfall, due to the netting and leaves damning.

It was 30 deg. here last night, I had the filter off (because of the leak), and a layer of ice formed. Checked in the skimmer box and my little green friend is still there!
I'll have to move him into the pond and just shut off the filter I suppose.

I'm looking into getting an aerator/compressor pump.
What do you recommend?
Thanks!
Angie

Someone posted in the pond section today about water loss probably in their long stream. I think its leaves wicking water out which sounds similar to your problem. I use a Tetra Luft pump to aerate my 1800 gallon pond a little extra in the summer and use it in the 153 gallon in the winter to keep the bottom of that aerated for the frogs down there. Most aerators and compressors I've seen are much larger than that, very expensive, and may provide way too much water turnover for a 1000 gallon pond. If you find a smaller one, let me know.

Hi Robyn,
I've just removed our friendly frog (again), and blocked off the skimmer. He's got to get the hint this time! Our pump was leaking, so he had to get moved.
Hopefully he'll figure out what he's supposed to do now! lol

:D
I'm still looking into the aerator pump. We've used a thermopond for the past 3 years, without a problem, but I've heard that a bubbler is also good to use.

Thanks for all your help!
Angie
Ontario Canada