LMB pond suggestions, I need 'em. Is this a Native, Pond, or DIY question?

knifegill;4259116; said:

I don't know where this belongs, but I have a few questions about my LMB pond. It's a 370gal round black PVC liner, and would be set up in my basement. My main questions regard filtration and preventing a jumpout.

I'm thinking I'll use a large tote on a shelf near the pond as a sort of top filter. Uptake from one side of the pond, and return on the other with a spraybar or something. I'm just wondering how many GPH to shoot for when sizing the pump motor. I'd think around 2000gph to be plenty since there will only be around three feet of head.

For a lid, I don't know. I'm really scratching my noodle on this one. Watch CL for hard pool covers and modify one to fit? But I'm sure not going to wake up one day to find a dried LMB on the ground.

This is all coming about thanks to a fry I inherited from a friend.I didn't ask how he got it, and I don't want to know, but I hope taking care of the fish is the right thing to do.

Any ideas on those points, or other comments?

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knifegill: In response to you qouted question below:

knifegill;4259116; said:

For a lid, I don't know. I'm really scratching my noodle on this one. Watch CL for hard pool covers and modify one to fit? But I'm sure not going to wake up one day to find a dried LMB on the ground.

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I have read other threads where the originators made a DIY lid for their indoor ponds. Similar in construction to a regular 2 piece all glass tank lid with a hinge, but made in 3 pieces ( 1/2 " thick plywood at the very back (sealed to keep condensation from ruining the ply), a hinged piece of plexiglass in the center for a light strip or what you can afford to use for a light source and then a hinged front piece of plexiglass for the front access panel for feeding, water changes and anything else you need to do to make a happy bunch of LMB, happy. Most were bolted around the edges of the indoor ponds with a rubber DIY or silicone gasket around the edges that would be stationary (the plywood piece) and possibly use 4-6 small 2" C- Clamps to hold the other two pieces down. Ensure the material pieces are cut to the circumfrence of the indoor pond though. It helps for manuevering around the pond.

To make sure what size of pump to use I'd use the sticky on pumps which can be found in the listings under the DIY FORUM. It has formulas on how to calculate the size needed. It's not rocket science math. Quite easy actually. It would also depend on how many water volume cycles you want to make as well for the LMB.

As far as the list of food for the fry, check on the net for the types of food they do eat as young, not adults. Granted aphids are pretty small and LMB's that are 2 to 5 inches may eat them, smaller LMB fry, may not as their taste buds are not fully developed. It maybe too, something inherited from the parents, if they were not fed daphnia on a regular basis along with a varied diet. Just my own thought for reasoning as to why they will not eat daphnia. I may be wrong. But it's just a thought.

I hope this was helpful for you and if you have further questions, PM me. I'll be happy to do what I can. Good luck. You are so lucky to have those fry. They are illeagle to have as hobby fish in Arizona. Wish I could though.

~ David Bradley