Indoor Pond Pics - 1100 gallons

[astronatus]

Hi. Here are a couple pics of my new indoor pond. Still a work in progress, as you can see. The two oscars are sulking at the bottom, not happy yet with their new digs, but I think they'll eventually love the new space...

[Pout]

Please RESIZE the images they are too large to look at.

Pout

[astronatus]

Im sorry those pics came out so gigantic. Let me try again...

[astronatus]

Too big again. Could someone give me some pointers on posting pics?

At least you get a lot of detail this way...

[Loubard]

Here you go:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=510/Pond_Picture_2_Small_.jpg
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=510/medium/Pond_Pictures_2_Small_.jpg

When posting a pics you need to resize it on your own computer first to have it fit the screen proparly. You can use a program like image resizer powertoy (http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/ImageResizerPowertoySetup.exe) wich is about 500 kb.
When you have installed it, just right click your photo, choise resize this image. Pick the right size (small, medium, large) and it automaticly makes a small copy in the same directory.

Nice pond BTW! What are you planning to keep in there?

were are the fish?

The two oscars are sulking at the bottom, not happy yet with their new digs, but I think they'll eventually love the new space...

I think there sulking at the bottom fishyboi :D


Greats Loubard

Ps. maybe one of the mod can modify his previous post, because my whole screen is going crazy.

[fishyboi]

were are the fish?

[astronatus]

So far, I have only two large oscars, a 6 inch pacu, and a dat who will be moving out as soon as his new tankmates are not small enough to be eaten.

I would like to put several types of Central and South American cichlids in there, maybe a texas, firemouths, jack dempseys. I would also like a red tailed cat, but I guess he would eventually be big enough to eat the others...

[guppy]

One way to improve the visibility of the fish in ponds use a one inch deep layer of fine light colored gravel.

[JnASabo]

Looks great. What are the demensions?

[astronatus]

Thanks - it is 8 by 8, and about 28 inches deep. The netting around it is due to the former pacu taking a swan dive after only a few days. Now I dont think anyone could get out.

If interested, I used plastic poultry wire around it to keep jumpers in.

[JnASabo]

What did you use to hold the timbers together? Great idea.

[astronatus]

I interlocked them like Lincoln logs at the corners, then drilled 1/2 inch holes in the corners and sides and inserted metal, threaded dowel rods from Home Depot. Used plywood to line it and then blankets and cardboard to line that before putting in the pond liner.

You have to drill the holes one log at a time and build from the ground up. It is tedious, but the whole think only cost me about 225 not counting the filtration...

[JnASabo]

Awesome. Great Job.

[OKEEPER]

What do you use for filtration and water movement?

Diddo on the light colored substrate idea too....

[astronatus]

I use a filter I built from an Internet site. Has a 900 gph pump (65 on ebay new) that pumps into the bottom of a rubbermaid tub, bubbles up through quilt batting, then drains across into another tub where it trickles through holes in pvc pipe over gravel and back into the pond through a buried piece of pipe. I also have a Filstar 3 to add some filtering power, and another smaller pump for extra oxygenation. It is at least one water volume per hour, but it may not be enough. I'll have to wait and see.

[gein]

Great pond, I love the look of it. The weathered timbers add a nice rustic touch. I agree with what the others said about adding light-colored gravel, it would really improve viewing of the fish.

[philipng]

That looks cool!

[grenade3]

yeah go get some gravel that will make it look even better! if you can afford if you could use crushed coral haha, i dont think anyone could afford that. you can get aquarium gravel in bulk from some landscaping supplys or gravel that is at least small enough to clean with a vac. sweet job!!

[astronatus]

Thanks Dude. I am thinking about putting a fairly light scattering of gravel in there, not like what you would see in an aquarium. That way I get the light dark contrast but not all the extra expense, hassle, and weight.

BTW, the homebuilt filtration thing seems to be working, because with six monsters in there the water parameters stay pretty good, around Am = 0, Ni = o, Na = 20-30, and Ph = 7.2. I am going to slowly add more fish over time, and may have to boost my filtration accordingly.

[Miles]

I noticed some insulation in the background.. Make sure you have something to remove humidity!! It could become a big soggy mess as well as cause permenant mold damage, which is not cheap to remedy..

[cmersits]

wow that looks awesome :thumbsup:

[mcblack]

nice pond, better what out for humidity

[Apexpredator]

Nice pond. How much water are you replacing weekly due to evaporation?

[Opiate]

any pics of the fish?

[Jason_S]

awesome pond. I want to build something similar one day. :D

[ewurm]

Cool pond, need an alligator! Snap!

[rook45]

looks great

[astronatus]

thanks fellas. It has raised the humidity down here some, but it is the basement, and Kansas is pretty dry, so it isnt that noticeable. Besides, we have laminated wood floors upstairs, and they said we should be a humidifier anyway.

No pics of the fish as yet. I will wait until some of them reach full monster status first...

[spring007]

Awesome dude!! But I have a few questions for u:
1) could u plz tell me what u did for heating?
2) How do u clean the gravel?
3) How much water change do u do every week?

thanks....:)

[rottbo]

nice pond someone sfter my own heart huge indoor ponds

[Don4921]

that is amazing

[astronatus]

Thanks man. It has been a lot of fun, especially now that it is really full of fish. I need to put in some more pics soon.

[sam_cj]

nice pond.

[NuttyFish]

nice ;)

[rayman45]

get a rtc ;)

[paintboi101]

where all the fish at?

[bentank1]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNG

[Steve_89]

Nice pond :)

[Opiate]

lookin good dude

[kriztu]

the log walling looks nice

[Rex Karr]

nice pond

[paintboi101]

wow thats niceee, so big.

[USMCtanker]

i wanna build one like that

[Mourinho18]

ponds aren't as much fun with only a top view imo :(

[USMCtanker]

ponds aren't as much fun with only a top view imo :(
ya very true but when there to big for a tank there cool just have a viewing pice:grinyes:

[DeLgAdO]

ponds aren't as much fun with only a top view imo :(

like tanker said

would you rather have a cramped fish you can see??

or a fish that just has a top view but all the space it needs?? :)

[Womby]

NICE!!!

[guppy]

Need more pics! heheh.

[nativelover]

pleasee tell me your gunna have at least one RTC!!! and an aro!!!

great pond, i love the idea...is that a platform on the back to walk on??? looks awesome. where in your house is it located?

[MikeVance]

Very nice pond!

[amazonfishman]

Did you look into that dehumidifier yet? Does anyone know how much a decent dehumidifier would cost? I'm about to be building a decent sized pond probably around 600-800 gallons in the next few weeks and will be needing a dehumidifier I'm sure. Also could you please post pics of the DIY filter setup you have in detail for an idea. I think you should be turning over a little more water probably closer to 3000 gallons once you get that pond stocked up a little more. Thanks ~Trent

[kriztu]

One way to improve the visibility of the fish in ponds use a one inch deep layer of fine light colored gravel.


good idea. or lite colored tiles could be too

[astronatus]

Sorry, but you will need to do your own homework on this one. I dont remember where I found the DIY filter, but it was pretty easy to google it and make it from there. As for the dehumidifier, I havent needed one.

I would normally agree on the filter rate as well, but I have had a dozen fish 9 inches or larger in there for 9 months now without a single outbreak of disease or a single fatality not due to jumping over the side. Therefore, I am guessing the filters I have are sufficient. I use a filstar rated at 300gph in addition the DIY one that runs about 900. Thanks for the suggestion, though.


Did you look into that dehumidifier yet? Does anyone know how much a decent dehumidifier would cost? I'm about to be building a decent sized pond probably around 600-800 gallons in the next few weeks and will be needing a dehumidifier I'm sure. Also could you please post pics of the DIY filter setup you have in detail for an idea. I think you should be turning over a little more water probably closer to 3000 gallons once you get that pond stocked up a little more. Thanks ~Trent

[gunther]

How do you view the fish?? It kind of needs cosmetic help bro........looks like something you'd see in a bait shop. How big is the pump and how much increase in electricity costs per month?

[skyrocco16v]

i like it! i wish i would have thought of that when i had my oscars.... but my mom thought that only koi and goldfish would do well in a pond.. that's when she decided that she wanted koi... go figure

[astronatus]

Gee thanks, gunther. The pump is 900gph plus 300gph on another filter.

This tank is really not a show tank or anything. It is in my basement after all. I just use it as an inexpensive place to house a lot of fish. No one sees it much, so I dont plan to do much different on the cosmetics.

I dont know on elec costs. I havent noticed a big difference.

I have several aquariums that are a little more showy. This one is really just for utility.

[gunther]

Sorry astro I wan't trying to be rude. I thought it was a showpiece in your house somewhere thats all.

[Redtail_Watcher]

Did you look into that dehumidifier yet? Does anyone know how much a decent dehumidifier would cost? I'm about to be building a decent sized pond probably around 600-800 gallons in the next few weeks and will be needing a dehumidifier I'm sure. Also could you please post pics of the DIY filter setup you have in detail for an idea. I think you should be turning over a little more water probably closer to 3000 gallons once you get that pond stocked up a little more. Thanks ~Trent

i feel weird doing this but here...http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=Sears&keyword=dehumidifier&gobutton.x=9&gobutton.y=13

[Video Poker]

looks great

[Broe33]

nice pond

[vincer]

awesome pond

[vincer]

any more pictures?

[bil]

noice

[stotty]

This is a good idea i have one in my fish room
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.midwesthydroponics.com/products/images/testing/indoorTEMP_HUMIDTY%2520GUAGE.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.midwesthydroponics.com/products/hydro_products.asp%3Fcategory%3D160&h=384&w=384&sz=74&hl=en&start=80&tbnid=ykMVAMgrII005M:&tbnh=123&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhumidity%2Bmeter%26start%3D60%26ndsp% 3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN


Wall mounted Humidity-Temperature gages for quick reference of these parameters inside the fishroom.

I got my one from a DIY store for green houses just handy as I go in there some days and its hot but look at the gage and it’s a dry hot if that makes sense.

[fortune]

:grinno: i love ponds!

[fortune]

:eek: wowzerz!

[freeskierrocket]

awesome............scr3w a hot tub thats the way to go!!!:D :headbang2

[chris76424]

Very nice.

[chris76424]

Nice work, am wanting to try something like this myself.

[amazonfishman]

any updated pics?

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

nice!

[legendaryfrog]

very nice.

[Joshy]

Any updated pictures astronatus?

[The Amazonian]

Nice Pond:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2

[MistirE]

Looks like a fun project. Any other fish you plan on putting in such a large space. I would love to put some monsters in that.

[astronatus]

I will try to get some new pics in there.

I had to remove the cats as they got big enough to cause some real damage. Stocked at present with the following:

red oscar 14"
albino tiger oscar 12"
RB Pacu 15"
Gold Tinfoil Barb 8"
Texas Cichlid 8"
Bluegill 7"
Sunfish 4"
Pike cichlid 7"
Widebar Datnoid 12"
Green Terror 4"
Red Devil 5"
Peacock Bass 7"
Pleco 9"
Jack Dempsey 6"
Jack Dempsey 4"


I would like to add an aro, but not sure about him jumping out or being too aggressive. Also considering a florida gar if my LFS will lower them from their current price (35). They have been there for months, so maybe he will.

Any other ideas for a cool addition to the pond???




Looks like a fun project. Any other fish you plan on putting in such a large space. I would love to put some monsters in that.

[legendaryfrog]

how do you heat it?

[me_wee_todded]

get some pics of the filter too and give a break down of it
please

[Chad55]

how do you heat it?

:iagree:

Chad

[astronatus]

I use several submersible heaters in the sump. Probably about 900 watts or so and that keeps it at 74. Barely adequate, I know, but in 16 months I have lost only one fish to disease.

As to the filter, I really dont have time to put a breakdown of it, unfortunately, It really wasnt taht complex, and you could probably do much better ones yourselves. Just google DIY sump filter and you can find scads of free designs. That's how I did it.

One tip, I use nylon scouring pads from the dollar store as well as chopped up mattress foam for filter media. Seems to work great.

how do you heat it?

[legendaryfrog]

wow.

Sorry for asking so many questions, but how much higher are your energy bills becuase of this ( each month )?

[astronatus]

I havent calculated, probably because I am afraid what I would discover. It has not been enough that I have noticed particularly, but I have no doubt Al Gore would be appalled to see all the aquarium and pond-related appliances that run constantly in my house...

wow.

Sorry for asking so many questions, but how much higher are your energy bills becuase of this ( each month )?

[Supes13]

how do you manage with the humidity?

[astronatus]

The copper water pipes along the ceiling of our unfinished basement drip, but it really causes no other problems. We even have our computer down here a few feet away from the pond. We are so dry here in central kansas that it cant really get humid enough to cause problems, I suppose.

how do you manage with the humidity?

[Gonzaga]

How do you manage all the fish in there? Is it possible to keep track of all of them and what they all do like you can in a tank?
I'm really interested in doing a pond and you have some smaller fish in there with some big ones. Do they all get along well?

[monsterchy]

nice pics, keep it up.

[me_wee_todded]

great job bro.
im going to pm you later next month about the construction and stuff
caus e im starting on mine

[astronatus]

You know, it really isnt a problem. I can see them all pretty well (you cant tell that from the photos), and so if anything goes awry, I can tell pretty quickly. For that matter, I have had really very little problem with disease in this 'tank.' The larger quantity of water makes a world of difference in terms of stability.

How do you manage all the fish in there? Is it possible to keep track of all of them and what they all do like you can in a tank?
I'm really interested in doing a pond and you have some smaller fish in there with some big ones. Do they all get along well?

[rottbo]

The larger quantity of water makes a world of difference in terms of stability.

I agree totally my big pond is the easiest one I have to take care of.....