Fish Pond Suggestions

Neuk_

Neuk_

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We have two smallish ponds with fountains using pumps but both get a bit of algae growth in summer along with mosquito larvae. I have been managing them using chlorine but have thoughts of getting them clean for some fish to help and also for our two boys. I have kept tropical fish in tanks before, everything from our eldest sons little 17l he has now up to a 250l tank I had many years ago. So I have some experience but not exactly for outdoor fish, if I can call them that.

Any thoughts on equipment, fish, water treatment, etc? I don't want to spend thousands and breed some rare variety of koi either.
 
RedViking said:
Bad idea. Rather get hamsters. Outdoor fish becomes food.
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No thanks to the hamsters, never been a fan. We have safety nets on the ponds already, so my plan is to put shade cloth type material over, partly to cover for leaves and water evaporation but they would also provide some protection for any fish we put in.
 
Neuk_ said:
No thanks to the hamsters, never been a fan. We have safety nets on the ponds already, so my plan is to put shade cloth type material over, partly to cover for leaves and water evaporation but they would also provide some protection for any fish we put in.
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But then what's the point of you can't see them :ROFL:
 
Its a bit shallow but some comet goldfish, a dwarf lilly and a decent pump with a diy bucket pond filter should get you there for very little money.
 
B-1 said:
Its a bit shallow but some comet goldfish, a dwarf lilly and a decent pump with a diy bucket pond filter should get you there for very little money.
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Thanks, I have already built a DIY bucket filter with a spare pump I had, seems to work well but I need to get the water tested and then treated.
 
I had a similar issue, I also added chlorine to keep it clean but then switched to adding some water plants (papyrus) and goldfish. I wrapped the fountain pump in a few layers of shade cloth and then wrapped it with bidim cloth (used to keep sand out in drainage areas). Its crystal clear for years and is an interesting feature. I have to feed the fish and clean that filter material but its not often and easier than the chlorine story. PS: When i need to top it up, i just add water from the tap never had an issue.
 
Nice. You can do this cost effectively. Buy the fish, get some water plants to put in there (helps with the fish waste). Build a gravity filter with some media in there. Once it balances it's great.
 
Well you need some algae(not green water). The fish in our little pond the kids do not find interesting anymore and nobody fed them in more than a year and they still going strong, feeding off the algae and insects. And the algae on sides and rocks looks nice and natural. It also gives hiding place for eggs and baby fish if your fish decides to breed.

Our pond gets direct sunlight the whole day and we build two different filter and non could keep the water green. Then we were fishing at a dam and I took one of those hyacinth plants and put in in the pond. Within a few days the water was crystal clear. Yes the hyacinths grow more but I just removed a few every month.
The problem is they die in the winter. Then we got another water plant while fishing at other dam. Same as hyacinth just much smaller but also multiply quickly and keeps water just as clean. Bet better for the winter but might also die if very cold.

If you can get 1 or two baby Kurper/Talapia they are great for all the mosquitos and insects breeding in the water. And just normal cheap goldfish works great too. Not those with the fancy fins etc.

And if you have a pump running that will make sure there is some air in the water and not put fish into straight tap water the first few days. It is very easy with little maintenance. I have never added any additives to the water. Just don't pray any weed killer or other chemicals near the water.

Also the more plants floating on top, the less sunlight get through to the water making more algae.
 
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