I've been getting a couple emails in regards to heating crocs in the winter especially the chemical powder we use to seal heat in the water.
Basically we use the following methods as they have worked well for us. We are always trying new ideas and getting more refined as we go.
1:The best thing you can do to ensure croc survival in the winter is have a natural bottom. In our experience this alone prevents 90% of the possible winter related fatalities here in Texas. Concrete and other bottoms are killers. The mud at the bottom of the pools stays warm pretty much year round.
2: Add supplemental heat. This can be done with a water well, boiler, or pool heater. The wood burning heaters we use are very efficient simply because they cause such a quick rise in water temp where as gas is much more gradual.They are also much cheaper to run albeit with more labor. I have heated natural earth ponds in the 80's with air temps in the low 40's in a few hours. Once you hit an 80 water temp it'll take a week to come down to a reheat level.
3: If you put the heat in you want it there as long as possible. In swimming pools a cover is used to keep heat in the pool. The cover is usually plastic but there is a chemical cover called Heatsavr that comes in a plastic floating fish. We do not use this one as it isn't cost efficient enough. We use Watersavr which is the same product in powder form and is VERY cost efficient.
Water is a heat trap and a good charge in the pool lasts several days even when the air temp is below freezing, the pool covers simply extend this time period.
Even with all of this I hate winter and always fear for a loss. It makes me paranoid. If we can get through the next 30 days we are typically home free.
Keep your fingers crossed and Happy New Year!
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'
