Got the green light.

[nfored]

So I finally got the green light to put a pool in my unheated garage.

This realistically is at least 6 months away. So I am just now starting my information quest.

Heating will be the make it or break it point I am guessing in this setup. So my question is what kind of fish could I keep in an unheated pool in a unheated garage?

I live in Missouri so winters can get down into single digits. I see people keep fish in outdoor ponds that freeze over in the winter, using only a single heater to keep a hole in the ice.

I was thinking of using a large trickle tower as the filter. Maybe a 55 Gallon barrel filled with lave rocks above the pool; Or a diy Bakki shower.


I will start my search today about filtration and other build aspects, but would love some ideas on fish I could keep. It would be super awesome to keep some pacu but I am sure they will need warm water and may jump out. My thought was keeping a few cat fish, or some koi.

 

[scott_n06]

Im not help with your info search cause Im in the same boat. I live in missouri as well and dont want to spend a ton each month to heat a pond. I was thinking of stocking with MO natives but Idk if that is legal. I was planning on building a huge ply tank until I started looking at indoor ponds much cheaper and cooler.

 

[Pharaoh]

Just having a small heater to provide a hole will only work for coldwater or temperate species. You are probably going to have to look at keeping this thing up to normal temps for anything tropical. The key will be how you insulate.

 

[nfored]

I was thinking koi will be my only choice. I have seen them in ponds covered in ice.

 

[scott_n06]

Missouri natives are in ponds covered in ice as well, however koi are a much prettier fish from the top view anyway.

 

[turtlesrock]

koi is the cheapest and safest way to go.

 

[nfored]

Koi can cost a lot depending on their lineage. Scott what part of MO do you live I am in KC.

 

[scott_n06]

Koi can cost a lot depending on their lineage. Scott what part of MO do you live I am in KC.

Im in way north, I live in maryville.

 

[syddakyd]

hey you have alot of cool options...definitely albino channel cats depending on the size