160 gallon pond stocking?

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Matt724

Matt724

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 19, 2009
1,418
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66
Los Angeles, CA
Want to pick up one of those preformed 160 gallon ponds, but I don't know what to stock it with. Initially I was thinking just a bunch of mosquito fish, but then i thought that would be kinda sad for an MFK member. Just thought I'd take some suggestions. There will be adequate filtration also in addition to basic water plants such as anacharis, probably water lillies, and bacopia. I can't make up my decision of whether to get a couple large CA fish, or more smaller fish.
 
i would just get a bigger pond and get an RTC. Thats my dream though. You could try some natives if you wanted.
 
yeah, that was my plan, but then i got to thinking about Oscars, I personally think they're kinda overhyped, but I thought about giving them a shot. How do you think they'll fare? I'm located in the valley of Socal (neighbors to DEATH VALLEY) so cold temps aren't really a worry for me. Or maybe like some other LARGE Central AMerican fish. Just 1 or a pair, nothing else.

Or there's the other option that you suggested, like sunfish, warmouths, bluegills, mosquito fish, etc... idk, i wanna see what everyone else thinks. Want to get started on this right away.
 
My questions would be:

What are temps, actually (you could probably find some pond folks in your area who could provide lows and highs, year-round)?

And, what type of filtration are you providing? What of turnover?

I think these two will get you further in stocking the pond. On the other hand, have you considered a liner, rather than pre-formed? It would give you more volume, probably, and more leeway in shape. Just a thought!
 
justonemoretank;4019564; said:
My questions would be:

What are temps, actually (you could probably find some pond folks in your area who could provide lows and highs, year-round)?

And, what type of filtration are you providing? What of turnover?

I think these two will get you further in stocking the pond. On the other hand, have you considered a liner, rather than pre-formed? It would give you more volume, probably, and more leeway in shape. Just a thought!
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I'll be sure to ask around. Here are my original plans if you wanna take a look: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294109. The only thing with this is that I had planned to use just a liner in these, plans, but I found a really good deal on preformed that fit within my boundries (boundries the parentals are making me keep it within (all in the plans above), and considering it will probably last longer and stand up against the elements better, that it would be a better choice. Also, since it is preformed, if you look at my plans, you'll see that I plan to cut grits in it to act as a surface skimmer/ overflow box; it's interesting, you should take a look.
 
Matt724;4019574; said:
I'll be sure to ask around. Here are my original plans if you wanna take a look: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294109. The only thing with this is that I had planned to use just a liner in these, plans, but I found a really good deal on preformed that fit within my boundries (boundries the parentals are making me keep it within (all in the plans above), and considering it will probably last longer and stand up against the elements better, that it would be a better choice. Also, since it is preformed, if you look at my plans, you'll see that I plan to cut grits in it to act as a surface skimmer/ overflow box; it's interesting, you should take a look.
Click to expand...

Ohhh... okay, I see. Cool! So, if this is the size you're going with, that sort of fixes some of my questions... but I also see in this post that you're mentioning frost (!!!) which could be an issue with keeping tropicals, or even N.A. natives which aren't used to cool temps... so maybe you could find a pond-keeping site or society or something from your area where that info would be available, without having to wait the year out and measure the temps yourself (boring! LOL).
 
dannyboiiii;4019568; said:
how bout u getta muskjellunge in there
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sorry bro, no can do. Pikes are not only illegal in CA, but looking at pics on google, that thing is a beast of a thing. I don't think I'd want to put my feet in my own pond with that thing in it lol, not that it would even fit in it lol


justonemoretank;4019579; said:
Ohhh... okay, I see. Cool! So, if this is the size you're going with, that sort of fixes some of my questions... but I also see in this post that you're mentioning frost (!!!) which could be an issue with keeping tropicals, or even N.A. natives which aren't used to cool temps... so maybe you could find a pond-keeping site or society or something from your area where that info would be available, without having to wait the year out and measure the temps yourself (boring! LOL).
Click to expand...

okay, well the frost issue has been sorted out already, During the chilly winter days, I will be tossing in a big heater ($$ :( ) and will more readily perform water changes with warmer water. But to be honest, our cold and frosty temps would be the east coast's warm sunny days. I doubt the temperature ever goes below 60F even in the deep winter
 
Yes, but this is a shallow pond, which means that it's going to basically be the same temp as the air... and tropical fish just get sick when it's cold.
 
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