My outdoor pond plan. Will it work?

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lix.ma14

Hydrolycus Armatus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2011
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Ontario, Canada
Hey guys. I am planning make a small pond in my backyard that is just beside my deck where it can shade the pond. It's going to be around 5 feet by 6 feet and around 2 feet deep. I going to dig a hole and put pond lining etc. I am very interested in putting:

.2 large mouth bass

. a few pickeral (2 or 3)

. a few trout (2 or 3)

.2 sterlet sturgeon

. gars?

.northern pike if i can find one

.yellow perch

.stripe bass??

Will they cohab with each other?? What kind of fish shouldn't I add?
my other questions are:

. how deep does my pond need to be for it to not freeze over?? i live in southern canada (south eastern ontario).

. do I need a waterfall for my pond to be successful?

. WHAT IS A MUST FOR POND EQUIPEMENT?

.Do I need to clean my pond or do I just leave it there? Maintenence?

.Are plants a must? what plants do you recommend?

.Is a pond beside a deck safe. would the pond cause the deck to collaspe eventually.

.Does anyone know the rule of a license for a pond? DO I NEED AN ACTUAL FENCE?

i am just in the beginning of research and I'll be glad to read your advice.

thanks
 
I live in Milwaukee, which is the same longitude as Toronto. My 2ft deep or less ponds freeze solid in the winter.
If you want trout, you will need a serious amount of pumpage to keep their oxygen demand up, they need a a saturation level of 10-12mg/L to thrive.
Some of the others such as pickerel, bass, sturgeon or perch are more forgiving, but the pond you describe is only around 500 gals, so only a few will top out your population limit.
One other thing to consider is that most of the fish you describe will be invisible most of the time because their coloring is meant to keep them that way. One of the reasons most pond owners use koi, is because you can actually see them. I have cichlids in a 4ft depth pond, and they are only occasionally seen, I also have a koi and a few goldfish in it, they can almost always be seen. I also have cichlids in a 1ft depth pond, and they can be seen about 50% of the time.
Water movement would be needed for all the fish you mention, this does not mean waterfall, but a pump yes.
Don't know the Canadian rules.
This is my 1000 gal 4ft depth pond, it tops out at 4 goldfish, 1 koi, and a few cichlids, I use a 900gph Mag drive to power a protein skimmer, and filter.
006-2.jpg

below is my 1ft depth 1700 gal pond, it contains about a dozen adult cichlids and their fry, it use a 1400gph pump to power its protein skimmer..
079-1.jpg

Plants are a plus for removing nitrates.
 
Are some of those species even legal to own I Ontario? I know some of them are native species, but I'd have go check Into Canadian laws about that


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wallin115 said:
Are some of those species even legal to own I Ontario? I know some of them are native species, but I'd have go check Into Canadian laws about that


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

ya i'm going to get some from the breeders over from the states. Asked the border administators.
 
duanes said:
I live in Milwaukee, which is the same longitude as Toronto. My 2ft deep or less ponds freeze solid in the winter.
If you want trout, you will need a serious amount of pumpage to keep their oxygen demand up, they need a a saturation level of 10-12mg/L to thrive.
Some of the others such as pickerel, bass, sturgeon or perch are more forgiving, but the pond you describe is only around 500 gals, so only a few will top out your population limit.
One other thing to consider is that most of the fish you describe will be invisible most of the time because their coloring is meant to keep them that way. One of the reasons most pond owners use koi, is because you can actually see them. I have cichlids in a 4ft depth pond, and they are only occasionally seen, I also have a koi and a few goldfish in it, they can almost always be seen. I also have cichlids in a 1ft depth pond, and they can be seen about 50% of the time.
Water movement would be needed for all the fish you mention, this does not mean waterfall, but a pump yes.
Don't know the Canadian rules.
This is my 1000 gal 4ft depth pond, it tops out at 4 goldfish, 1 koi, and a few cichlids, I use a 900gph Mag drive to power a protein skimmer, and filter.
006-2.jpg

below is my 1ft depth 1700 gal pond, it contains about a dozen adult cichlids and their fry, it use a 1400gph pump to power its protein skimmer..
079-1.jpg

Plants are a plus for removing nitrates.
Click to expand...

thanks.
Ok i'm going to forget about the pike, striped bass and the trout. How much do the pumps cost?? like a fortune? If I add a deicer in my 2 feet pond, will the pond not freeze over?
 
how do i maintain a clean pond? with no algae?
 
The pond your looking to build is way to shallow. I wouldn't even consider trying to overwinter fish in this climate unless the pond is 3-4' deep.

Look into uv sterilizers if you want to control algae. Many of the available canister style filters for ponds have these built in. Some can also be purchased with a proper size pump as a bundle for less.
 
pharmaecopia said:
The pond your looking to build is way to shallow. I wouldn't even consider trying to overwinter fish in this climate unless the pond is 3-4' deep.

Look into uv sterilizers if you want to control algae. Many of the available canister style filters for ponds have these built in. Some can also be purchased with a proper size pump as a bundle for less.
Click to expand...

what if i made the tank 3 feet deep?? will the tank survive?? won't a deicer work?? do you know the canadian regulations of ponds and fences?
 
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