So I have a 150 gallon horse trough sitting outside. It has some nice duck weed growing now but nothing of the fishy variety. Any ideas for stocking the tank? It will be exposed to temperatures of 15F and up this winter. Most of the extreme cold doesn't last for long but it is a factor.
150 Gallon Horse Trough Stocking ?
- Thread starter docturtle91b
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If it's a rubbermaid its fine to use, but if you're referring to the metal ones, I'd stay away because of temp. problems.
Also, the metal ones are unusable because they leach zinc into the water which will cause neurological problems for your fishes and will lead to death.
Its a rubbermaid. Over this summer it was a gambusia breeding ground and turtle spa. Last summer my Jack Dempsey and bullhead hung out in it. I had kept goldfish, tadpoles, and gambusia in it a few winters ago but didn't know if anyone had any other stocking options.
Good to know. We often use them for turtles, which I assume is fine.
So if it is a rubbermaid, assuming it's black, try to keep in out of the sun, they heat up super quick as well. My pond in the back is made out of one and hits 80 with just morning sun during the summer.
Ok guys. I know how to use my tank. I know my tank is safe. I've been using it for years. I was asking for ideas to stock it with for this winter. Aside from goldfish again I have no ideas. I'm out of creativity. That's why I posted.
We've had people post about using the metal ones before which is why the question was posed in order to prevent any future problems.
If you have a decent number of plants in there, then I'd say that you could do a couple of sunfish and another bullhead or two. Mudminnows and pirate perch would also work pretty well in there.
Yeah I could go that route but I want a new species to challenge me. I just don't know of too many locally occurring natives that I haven't kept or exotic fish that could survive the winter. I've got a trip planned for Jan. towards the coast to catch and photo least killis, black banded sunfish, and wild mollies but still its too cold for those species outside here.