1000 Gal Pond Questions

[CichlidKeeper01]

Yeah you'll almost certainly see high 40 degree garage temps, without a cover for the pond and a lot of heat it will be impossible to keep it warm enough for the RTC and TSN. The channels will survive without any heat no problem in the garage. As far as summer temps it shouldn't be an issue either channels and the RTC/TSN can take temps into the low 90's as long as there is decent dissolved oxygen. I'd recommend some kind of insulation on the floor prior to pond setup just use the 1/2" sheet insulation from Home Depot or something both for cushion and insulation from the cold concrete

I'd expect a growth rate of 0.5-1.0"/month on the Channels so for them to get to 1lb is probably 12 months. I'm currently raising some in a 5 acre outdoor pond and have seen growth rates along those lines. I'd wait until the Channels are 12-14" before introducing a TSN at 6" and wait for the Channels to be at least 18" before introducing a RTC at 6" to buy yourself some time before you have to worry about any Channels becoming feeders.

FWIW TSN usually put on 2" a month up until the 24" mark then slow down a little, RTC can put on 4"+ a month until the 24" mark then still seem to maintain a 2"+ growth per month at least up until closer to 36".

Thanks for the growth rates. That matches what I have seen (I caught them as fry). Are the channels eventually going to become feeders even if they are grown out? Channels seem to be indestructible, I have had some during fishing trips last an hour in a couple gallons of water. Sounds like the cover is needed, what would you make it out of?

 

[amazonfishman]

Thanks for the growth rates. That matches what I have seen (I caught them as fry). Are the channels eventually going to become feeders even if they are grown out? Channels seem to be indestructible, I have had some during fishing trips last an hour in a couple gallons of water. Sounds like the cover is needed, what would you make it out of?

If you're buying an Intex pool they make covers for them, otherwise any sort of tarp would work. They can survive but will just need to be large to begin with before the RTC ever gets any substantial size on it

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

Ok, cool. Going to start collecting elements for the build.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

The channels can grow fairly fast if you give them the right food and water quality, expect the channels to get to 30 to 40 inches within a year

 

[amazonfishman]

The channels can grow fairly fast if you give them the right food and water quality, expect the channels to get to 30 to 40 inches within a year

Umm trolling them? Absolutely no way they are getting that size even in 2 years

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

Umm trolling them? Absolutely no way they are getting that size even in 2 years

I didnt think they would hit that till about 3 or 4 years.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

I didnt think they would hit that till about 3 or 4 years.

I didnt think they would hit that till about 3 or 4 years.

With a proper well balanced diet they can and did get that big, and my fish still had to contend with winter, key is to feed them something more than just pellets, mine ate a varied diet that included chicken,koi pellets, lowfat dog food, cooked pasta ,dead fish ,shrimp and the bread for the bluegill, Plus whatever else they could scrounge up in the pond, we added them and monitored their growth rate, most of their growth accrued in the first year and a half, then slowed after that.

 

[kendragon]

I'm all for the difference in opinions. Creates great discussion and challenges to work through but the made up stuff helps no one.

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

With a proper well balanced diet they can and did get that big, and my fish still had to contend with winter, key is to feed them something more than just pellets, mine ate a varied diet that included chicken,koi pellets, lowfat dog food, cooked pasta ,dead fish ,shrimp and the bread for the bluegill, Plus whatever else they could scrounge up in the pond, we added them and monitored their growth rate, most of their growth accrued in the first year and a half, then slowed after that.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/catfish/catfish-growth-factors/

I know this is about wild cats but i can't see them growing that fast in captivity.

 

[taksan]

I’ve just got the 2 RTC’s a couple of nigers and 4 big old Pacu .. this pond hasn’t changed in 10 years. It’s really a low maintenance pond it’s on pretty much automated WC’s and I use a pond pressure filter as a prefilter that pumps up into a 240 gallon plastic tub filled with other plastic tubs to make kind of a giant sump/trickle type filter. It keeps pretty clear because of the prefiltration. I would do more but it worked so well for so long I’m kind scared to fiddle with it