Rookie at outdoor ponds need help before build

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dangerhack

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2011
938
0
31
NJ
Ok ive been fish keeping for many years an always wanted a pond. Cant decide if i want inground / above ground or half in an half out. My question is all my friends that have ponds only keep Koi an they all say the water freezes an fish are fine. Will this be good for other type of fish too. like if i want to put cichlids, arowana, or a redtail catfish ect. How deep should it be for inground? if i make an above ground 4 ft hight will it still all freeze because its above ground? any advice i appreciate! thanks
 
It won't mater how deep you go, all the fish you just listed need warm water. You live in NJ, winters are cold. Unless you are prepared to heat the pond, which has been discussed in many other threads, that will cost you a lot, there is not cheap way to do it. If you do get a heater, you could heat spring through fall and then only have to take the fish inside for a few months. Its all depends on how much you want to spend and if you are gonna do it your self or pay someone. My pond is half in, half out of the ground. Also how big are you thinking?
 
i i guess my best choice if i want to leave fish out doors all year is koi or cold water fish... i was thinking somewhere around 4ft by 8ft or 5ft by 10ft not sure how deep yet thats what im tryn to fgure out.. yea im not looking to spend a forttune on heat you right. how deep is your pond?

thatfrontguy said:
It won't mater how deep you go, all the fish you just listed need warm water. You live in NJ, winters are cold. Unless you are prepared to heat the pond, which has been discussed in many other threads, that will cost you a lot, there is not cheap way to do it. If you do get a heater, you could heat spring through fall and then only have to take the fish inside for a few months. Its all depends on how much you want to spend and if you are gonna do it your self or pay someone. My pond is half in, half out of the ground. Also how big are you thinking?
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My pond is 2 ft in ground, 2 ft above ground. I honestly recommend going as deep as you can, i ran into some hard rock so i had to stop, and i was using an excavator. The deeper the better for winter, at least have small section that is 3ft if you can. Just make sure you have a place for all the dirt. Once you start digging you will be surprised how much dirt you get, i made a huge flower bed with all the dirt, my hole was 16 x 16 x 2ft deep.
 
Koi, mahseers (depends on the type), channel cats, bluegill, bass...

Anything native to the north eastern region would be best.
 
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