Big bass pond

[rockerrr]

Hi, I'm in the process of putting together a smallmouth bass/bluegill pond that will be about 160,000 gallons when done. The pond is maybe 8-9 feet deep and is lined with bentonite. What I'm not sure about is the level and amount of filtration I will need, how much aeration, water turn over and so forth. Does anyone have any experience with large ponds like this?

Regular pond people say turn the water over so many times in so many hours which is not going to be possible. I'm assuming it is possible to have a stable system without all of that circulation and turn over since mother nature does it nicely with lakes and ponds.

I'm thinking of a pump in the neighborhood of 6000 gal/hr with a skimmer, 50 gallon biofilter, possibly a plant bog filter and a 6-8 foot waterfall for aeration. I might add a smaller pump and a fountain spray head in the pond center for more oxygen and circulation. I'll add things for the bass and bluegill to get under and hide in and I'm going to put in a few shores with sand and gravel for the bluegill to spawn in.

Basically, I don't have a clue what I'm doing and I'm flying by the seat of my pants here. Anyone with real experience have any suggestions or comments?

 

[PeacockBassMan]

You should have a pump that can turn over the water at least 3 times an hour. That is the entire amount of water in your pond at least 3 times an hour. Since it is nearly impossible to do so with the amount of water that your pond has, and being that they are a native species...I would just rely on a good filtration system of decent size...the biggest feasable and plant the pond with native (native) plants. Being as it is so large of a pond, nature will take its course. Plants will act as a built in filter. You have a really good idea, and obviously lots of space. Cant wait to see pictures!

Good Luck!

 

[Noddy]

Those pumkinseeds will breed fast!
Where I live people recommend to put only one in per pond, cause they will take over the pond.
But i suppose your Bass' will keep the growth down a bit.
Love your Idea, post pics of your progress please!

 

[Poklei]

wow you must be a baller 160k gallon wow!

 

[armac]

You should have a pump that can turn over the water at least 3 times an hour. That is the entire amount of water in your pond at least 3 times an hour. Since it is nearly impossible to do so with the amount of water that your pond has, and being that they are a native species...I would just rely on a good filtration system of decent size...the biggest feasable and plant the pond with native (native) plants. Being as it is so large of a pond, nature will take its course. Plants will act as a built in filter. You have a really good idea, and obviously lots of space. Cant wait to see pictures!

Good Luck!

You do not need to "turn over" water in a pond that size........

 

[armac]

wow you must be a baller 160k gallon wow!

he dug a hole in his backyard

 

[PeacockBassMan]

he dug a hole in his backyard

If you arent interested to help, or have something constructive to say...please dont bother saying anything at all. He asked for help...not some ***hole mocking and leaving bull**** posts in a thread. Mods, please tell me if Im wrong in saying this and excuse the language but its a tad bit uncalled for.

As for turning over water in a pond this size...its not so much about turning over the water as it is helping nature out a little bit.

 

[yogurt_21]

shoot at 160k you might not need to filter, just build a waterfall for aeration, add some plants (if the locals aren't already in there) and call it a day.

once you hit a certain size ponds become self sustaining. might have some inistail algae bloom but the plants would take care of that. would just ahve to clean out the prefilter on the pump every once in a while.

got any pics or diagrams?

 

[yogurt_21]

If you arent interested to help, or have something constructive to say...please dont bother saying anything at all. He asked for help...not some ***hole mocking and leaving bull**** posts in a thread. Mods, please tell me if Im wrong in saying this and excuse the language but its a tad bit uncalled for.

As for turning over water in a pond this size...its not so much about turning over the water as it is helping nature out a little bit.

first off for pond sof any decent size (2k-15k gallons and up) you only need to turn over 1/2 of the water in an hours time. after what can be considered a large size (15k-50k) 1/4 an hour is needed. after 100k filtration is optional as is the pump depending on what fish you are keeping. large ponds occur naturally without any inlet
save for rains, plants do the rest.

of course the above assumes you aren't masisvely overstocking which would be quite a feat in 160k gallons.

 

[rockerrr]

I appreciate all of the replies. I have been hoping that the pond will be somewhat self sufficient like a natural pond or lake and some of you have given me some hope for that. The place that I rescued the Bass and Bluegill from, had about the same sized pond and it had not had any circulation for almost a year. The fish seemed healthy if not a little hungry, but that made them easy to catch. Now figuring out the native plants and so forth might be fun.

There will be about a 6 foot waterfall into the pond and maybe 9000 gallon an hour going over that.....any opinions of whether that will be enough aeration. I could put a aeration fountain or air pump line in the pond if I need it, though the logistics of how to service the pump for the fountain are not clear to me. Anyone think I need a skimmer with this outfit?

Thanks again folks. I'll try to throw up a couple of pics of this project so far, as well as some of my smaller koi pond, stream bed I'm doing at the same time.