Hello i am currently in the process of constructing my first pond. I began this project last year then ended up waiting till now to finish it up. The pond will be about 14' long x 7' wide x 2' deep. I am also including a waterfall/ stream as well. Im using a 1920 gph waterfall pump and will be building my own filter for the top of the waterfall/ stream. i am now located in spokane washington and this means COLD winters!! Well about 5-10 degree minimums in thw winter. So my question is this, i would like to stock the pond with several sunfish(not sure what type yet) and some minnows as well mainly as a food source, so can the sunfish overwinter successfully in the pond or will i need to bring them in??? i appreciate the help, ill try and get some pics up soon. Btw anyone know anything about bog filter??? Do they actually work very well?? i am thinking about possibly including one in addition to the bio filter i will be constructing so i just want to know the pros and cons.
1st pond underway stocking and bog filter questions!!
- Thread starter cichniss
- Start date
2' deep isnt enuf. unless you run a heater,it will freeze solid. plant filters are the best! use them in the water fall area plant cat tails and reeds ect... in the stream part and go deeper or get heat
2' is deep enough. It will need a small pump or cow trough heater to keep a small hole open for gas exchange. The fish you have are natives so the cold won't harm them.
PROS: Bog filters rule. They look and work great. You could tie it in to the waterfall, or use it as the primary filter. A few plants in the stream will aid in filtrartion.
CONS: None come to mind right know.
PROS: Bog filters rule. They look and work great. You could tie it in to the waterfall, or use it as the primary filter. A few plants in the stream will aid in filtrartion.
CONS: None come to mind right know.
Awesome thank you guys alot. I will most likely keep the stream running during the winter to keep a hole in the ice.
Streams can be tricky to keep open in the winter. All the rocks cause spalshing which freezes faster. As that splashing action freezes, it builds up to a point that might start diverting water out of the pond which could possibally fry the pump. it can be done and just watch out for those ice dams. Have another back-up in the event your need to go out of town for a few days or it gets really cold for a stretch.
If you can I'd go another foot deeper just to make sure the fish are ok in the winter months. As for gas exchange, you could run a small air stone to stop it from freezing completely, or go old school and add a floating ball of some type
I've heard of the rubber ball or styrofoam piece placed in the pond. I assumed it was for the liner as it acts as a cushion to absorb stress. I don't know if it will allow for gas exchange.