I recently constructed a new pond in my back yard. It is around 400 gallons and 30 inches deep. Size is about 4.5ft. x 5 ft. My hope is to be able to keep tropicals all year round. Basically I dug a rectangular hole and lined it with 45mil liner. I have a submersible pump feeding a center bubbler and the filter box. I made the filter box with wood and sealed it with drylok. It overflows back into the pond. The filter is an up flow design. Very basic, filled with pot scrubbers and filter floss.
The pond has been running steady now for 5 weeks. I'm still working on the landscaping. The style I'm going for is more of an "old fashion cement pond" type. I will place potted plants around the edging and a nylon tarp style roof, open on three sides. And the floating plants should fill in real nicely.or starters, For starters I have a couple dozen white clouds and a pair of albino paradise fish. I'm sticking with fish that can tolerate occasional drops in temperature. I have never done this before and don't want to start will pure tropicals.
As far as winter is concerned. Here in Virginia were I live, we have mild winters most of the time. But I have seen nastly freezing spells also. I made the edging flat so that I can place a cover over it easily. Probably make a wooden frame and use clear bubble wrap. I will also place a spa water heater inline with the pump and heat with electricity. Of course there will be air circulation over the water surface. I will use a outside vent, just have not figured that one out yet.
Here is a view.
The pond has been running steady now for 5 weeks. I'm still working on the landscaping. The style I'm going for is more of an "old fashion cement pond" type. I will place potted plants around the edging and a nylon tarp style roof, open on three sides. And the floating plants should fill in real nicely.or starters, For starters I have a couple dozen white clouds and a pair of albino paradise fish. I'm sticking with fish that can tolerate occasional drops in temperature. I have never done this before and don't want to start will pure tropicals.
As far as winter is concerned. Here in Virginia were I live, we have mild winters most of the time. But I have seen nastly freezing spells also. I made the edging flat so that I can place a cover over it easily. Probably make a wooden frame and use clear bubble wrap. I will also place a spa water heater inline with the pump and heat with electricity. Of course there will be air circulation over the water surface. I will use a outside vent, just have not figured that one out yet.
Here is a view.
