Any one keep kiddie pools as indoor ponds?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Aphilophus

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 1, 2008
1,051
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Dodge Center,MN
I've been think about building a tank, But was eye balling an 8' dia. wading pool would the filter thats included with it work for fish? would I have to change the media? To heat it would 3 175 watt heaters placed in to the filter and set at 86 keep the pool at 75? this would work to hold brood stock as i keep all my cichlids in pairs. MY current pairs are 1trimacs, 1salvini,1 JD, 1 jag,7Indevidual Rd/Midas,rest of stock for pool 1electric cat, 1 clownknive, 1 myain cichlid, 1 black belt , 2tilapia. My last Question is how many more pairs of larg cichlids could I add? would like to add dovii, redtiger, and bared midas, and possible festea plus missing haves to my bb and myian. would this be stocked ok, and could any more be added.
 
so thanks for all the comments and the link, also no harm done elakoon. but my main question was about heating and filtration so again will the 3 175 watt heaters work and will the filter that comes with the pool work? any info will help
 
Aphilophus;2070618; said:
so thanks for all the comments and the link, also no harm done elakoon. but my main question was about heating and filtration so again will the 3 175 watt heaters work and will the filter that comes with the pool work? any info will help


Personally I would do either a hot tub or pool heater, imo they would work waaay better, especially if it'll be a big pond.
 
Aphilophus;2070618; said:
so thanks for all the comments and the link, also no harm done elakoon. but my main question was about heating and filtration so again will the 3 175 watt heaters work and will the filter that comes with the pool work? any info will help

You're going to need way more filtration than just the pool filter. If it were me I'd just keep the pond at room temperature. Most likely it would cost too much to heat, you could always do a single heater in certain parts of the pool though for the fish who need warmer water. Then they have the option of hanging by the heater or swimming around in the colder parts. Just chose your fish wisely and you can keep them in room temperature.
 
I was thinking about getting a ghetto pool going myself, but i just dont have the dedication to put all my effort into it. I'd probably set it up and leave it like that for months without checking the water parameters.
 
the pool filter will do a fair job, it is paper with hollow center put some ceramic rings or other type bio media in the center. as far as heater is concerned get a 500 watt pond heater. www.azponds.com
 
Here's the cost on my filter so far.
Specialized filtration holding unit(Plastic shelving unit) $24
Filtration outer shell(Home Depot bucket) $5
Inner sleeve(mop bucket) $3Mechanical media holder(plastic colander) $3
Biological media(pot scrubbies, 6 for a dollar) $6
Seeing wifes face on first viewing Priceless

The most expensive part will be the pump. If you use a submersible it will heat the water some on its own. If you need additional filtration, a spa heater is probably the best way to go. If you're going to use aquarium heaters then either put them in a sump or into pvc sleeves to avoid burning liner.

Stay tuned for next filter upgrade, coming to a Dollar General near you.
 
The pump that comes with the pool isn't made to run 24/7/365 so it's going to be exhausted quickly so be prepared. They also don't have any head pressure so a W/D filter is your only chose with it. Gravity feed to the W/D and use the pumps paper filter for polishing (otherwise it will clog quickly) and return to the pool.

For the heater requirements we need to know the temperature differential.

There's a few of these "ponds" on here with diy filters.

Dr Joe

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