Ponds

[dpatte]

I am curious about setting up a garden pond this spring.

Can any pondkeepers here recommend good books about setting up a pond. Where do I read about issues related to the pond and winter?

Does the OVAS library have any books about pond setup and maintenance?

Has anyone here tried using a pond for breeding tropicals?

How much does it cost to setup and run a pond?

[Sue]

My pond's always been for tropical fish.  I've had livebearers (guppies, platties, swordtails) breed in my pond producing at least one or two broods befor the water gets too cold. I've had a smaller number of other egg layer babies: white clouds, rosy barbs and even a couple of flame tetra's.  I put cichlids out there but I haven't seen any fry produced.  The fish love the live food, and big area to swim in.  Last year I put a 7 inch synodontis catfish out there and he had the time of his life for a few months!

Ponds aren't that expensive, and well worth the entertainment value during our short summers.

[JBL]

We have a pond (indoors) it's close to 250 (maybe a little more) gal. It has 3 heaters, one PJ 3000 with 4 filter canisters, lights (underwater), gravel and a UV filter. I think the whole set-up cost about $6 to $700.00. The issue you run into outdoors is the wiring to code (special breakers etc.) and protecting UV equipment etc. from the elements.

Currently has some goldfish, 1 KOI 9", 1 Pacu 16" (Pacu would be a nice addition for your tank ) and 2 ID sharks one of them is about 15".

(geeze maybe I can talk my son into selling the whole thing to you)

[NjOyRiD]

Sue..how do you keep the water cold during the summer with your livebearers??

[dannypd]

Sue..how do you keep the water cold during the summer with your livebearers??

Cold?  You mean warm?  

My goldfish pond never surpased 21 celcius, 4 feet deep, 7 feet wide.

[NjOyRiD]

oh really...thats not bad then...

do you change your water sometimes?

[aidensmomma2000]

Im glad this was posted- Im thinking of doing the same!

[Sue]

Re: how water is kept warm?...it isn't. The fish are only outside from mid june-mid sept. (or less depending on the weather)

[dannypd]

I usually use my pond water to water my grass, makes it VERY green!!

Then I let the rain water from my roof top-off my pond...if its really dry out, I'll just stick the hose in the pond  *blushes*...they were feeder fish at one point, and now they are mostly 7", I dont think the clorine will hurt them much (I think the pond may have around 700 gallons, lol).

[aidensmomma2000]

Re: how water is kept warm?...it isn't. The fish are only outside from mid june-mid sept. (or less depending on the weather)

So for the rest of the year you've got a tank set up just for them then? (I realise this seems obvious, just confirming really)

[dannypd]

Re: how water is kept warm?...it isn't. The fish are only outside from mid june-mid sept. (or less depending on the weather)

So for the rest of the year you've got a tank set up just for them then? (I realise this seems obvious, just confirming really)

not me   :twisted:

the only one I bring in is the Chinese algea eater...if he lets me, lol.  He's about 9" now...and sits dormant inside a rubbermain container set at 15'C (actually, it's probably like 17-18, but he's not hungry, not swimming).

[aidensmomma2000]

So all your other fish do what then?

[dannypd]

So all your other fish do what then?

If you're talking to me, they stay outside...the water at the bottom will never get colder then 4'Celcius, and there's usually only 4 inches of ice at the top  (there is an air pump running, and sometimes I have a geyser form when it freezes over...lol)

[aidensmomma2000]

Found this- thought it would be useful!

http://www.cokpc.ca/articles/winter.html

[Sue]

Yes I have a tanks for them inside.