I have a buried fountain reservoir that cannot easily be protected from rainwater. It soon fills and at some point this winter will freeze over.
Is there anything I can put in it that will prevent it from getting damaged? Something that would prevent or reduce pressure from splitting the sides?
[update]
The pump is already out, so I am not so concerned about that.
I have an olive barrel/reservoir/water feature that is completely buried underground. The pump is at the bottom of the barrel which is approximately 4 feet underground. I drain the reservoir in the autumn. It is full of water every spring. So far, in our zone 5 location, where temperatures of -30 deg C are not uncommon the barrel and pump have come through fine since being built in 2008.
If you are really worried get a cattle trough heater with guard from a feed store. That will keep things liquid at the cost of some electricity.
