Keeping Trout

[Dark Jester]

so there kinda like sharks they need to have lots of water flow to breathe? am sure live plants will help alot with the filteration right?just to be sure i might buy another 2,000ghp pump so have 2x in there and then the third one will be for the filter. i might also change the filter to carbon + live plants.

Still am wondering more pond plants-filter+more flow =???

Adding plants will be beneficial no matter what else you're doing. Not only will they remove some nitrates, but they provide some extra cover for the inhabitants.

What are the dimensions of the pond? Is it long and narrow, or round, square? With a long pond, I'd look at having the pump inlet on one end, and have it's output on the other, this will create a streamlike effect of water flowing from one end to the other. With a square, round or other shaped pond, I'd probably have inlet and outlet on the same side, but inlet on the bottom and outlet on the surface. this will create the current rippling across the surface (oxygenating the water) and it will hit the far wall and swirl back creating an underwater current back toward the pump. You're not looking for white water rapids or anything, just a constant flow of water. The entire water column doesn't need to be fast moving either. Just a portion of it. You'll find that the trout spend most of their time in the faster moving section, but they do like to take breaks in the slower moving sections sometimes.

Filtering and Water Flow are separate items, unless you can combine them. You can run a filter and powerhead or other pump separately. Or if your filter has a lot of water flow through it, that could work by itself. You will definately want some sort of bio filtration aside from plants though. The carbon isn't likely to do much for you from a filtration perspective. It will eliminate some odors, but if the pond is filtered properly it shouldn't smell anyway.

If you can incorporate a waterfall into it somehow, that would take care of all your oxygen needs, but if not then just having a pump causing the surface of the water to ripple will work. No need for extra air pumps, all they do is create surface movement, which the water pump can do just as easy.

 

[Hoyo12]

Adding plants will be beneficial no matter what else you're doing. Not only will they remove some nitrates, but they provide some extra cover for the inhabitants.

What are the dimensions of the pond? Is it long and narrow, or round, square? With a long pond, I'd look at having the pump inlet on one end, and have it's output on the other, this will create a streamlike effect of water flowing from one end to the other. With a square, round or other shaped pond, I'd probably have inlet and outlet on the same side, but inlet on the bottom and outlet on the surface. this will create the current rippling across the surface (oxygenating the water) and it will hit the far wall and swirl back creating an underwater current back toward the pump. You're not looking for white water rapids or anything, just a constant flow of water. The entire water column doesn't need to be fast moving either. Just a portion of it. You'll find that the trout spend most of their time in the faster moving section, but they do like to take breaks in the slower moving sections sometimes.

Filtering and Water Flow are separate items, unless you can combine them. You can run a filter and powerhead or other pump separately. Or if your filter has a lot of water flow through it, that could work by itself. You will definately want some sort of bio filtration aside from plants though. The carbon isn't likely to do much for you from a filtration perspective. It will eliminate some odors, but if the pond is filtered properly it shouldn't smell anyway.

If you can incorporate a waterfall into it somehow, that would take care of all your oxygen needs, but if not then just having a pump causing the surface of the water to ripple will work. No need for extra air pumps, all they do is create surface movement, which the water pump can do just as easy.

I think that just about sums it up, lol.
And for choosing one, Rainbow and Brook Trout are the easiest to care for IMO. Cheap as well. (Got mine for $5)

 

[Zfishies]

Ok so this is what I'll do idk of it would work though....it's a circle pond 12x12 have 3 pumps in a row faccing all the same way so it will cause lots of flow and then It bounces off the wall and then ripples form I've already tried this with one pump it worked but it was not to big but am sure if I add 2 more it will make it alot better and I will have have a water fall with my filter. Will this work?

 

[Hoyo12]

Sounds good to me.

 

[Zfishies]

Ok thanks man I'll be sure to post pics when i have everything

 

[MonsterChef]

If someone is holding trout in temps over 70's I call BS -

"Water temperature also controls the trout’s metabolism. While very cold water can hold the maximum of dO2 it also slows the trout’s metabolism to the point of suspended animation ( a cryogenic effect ). This is the way it works: from 32 f to 44 f the trout is slowed to the point of needing very little food and he has a over abundance of dO2, up to 30ppm. At 50 f to 55 f the trout’s activity increases and they actively feed for long periods of time and they still have an over abundance of dO2. When the water temperature reaches the 55 f to 65 f range you have the ideal fishing conditions. The trout’s metabolism is in high gear and they feed constantly, dO2 is in the 18 to 12ppm range and there is plenty of food. The food; aquatic insects and their larvae, minnows of all types and crustaceans are prolific and abundant. The fisherman only has to give a proper presentation and he will hook a trout. The great decline starts when the water temperature climbs to 68 f. Brown, Brook and Cutthroat trout start to feel what I call the frying pan effect. Unless there is a lot of turbulence to oxygenate the water, the dO2 falls rapidly to perilously low levels. The trout’s metabolism is racing furiously along and he is burning oxygen as fast as he can adsorb it from the water. As the sun heats the water, he uses the dO2 faster and faster. With out some type of escape valve he will suffocate."

 

[Dark Jester]

If someone is holding trout in temps over 70's I call BS -

Ok.. Who are you calling BS on? I just re-read the thread and I don't see anyone suggesting keeping them over 70?

The common recommendation is cold moving water with a lot of oxygen. Not sure who you're responding to.

 

[MonsterChef]

Not on here but have spoken to many who think they will survive and live in climates that get way over a water temp of 70 and are without chilla's...

 

[warmouth]

Not on here but have spoken to many who think they will survive and live in climates that get way over a water temp of 70 and are without chilla's...

I agree , if you have trout you must really watch your summer temps!

 

[TroutFarmerGal]

Since I don't know your particular situation, I have to mention that you should watch out for predators if smaller trout are out in the winter. Up here you wouldn't believe how many starving ballsy critters there are that will take a dip and attempt to snag a trout seemingly too big for them to handle. Hopefully you won't have that problem