Hey guys, i have been wanting to do a pond outside for yrs now. Well I finally have the money and the yard some its gettin done. I was wondering though. I would like to build a big pond and put some arrowanas or pacu, or some stuff like that. I wanna have some monsterfish. Redtail Cat, Pacu, Arrowana, Gar, stuff like that. What can survive outside and would be ok? I reallize that maybe in the winter I would need to either heat the tank or resuce them from it. My idea for that is a really big water trough setup in my garage for the winter would do nicely. What yall think and any imput. thanks
outdoor pond houston texas
- Thread starter mrairportjunke
- Start date
That would work, but personally I would make an inground pond, that will provide really good insulation. Make it so that your pond can have a cover that will help on heat loss. Depending on how cold it gets during the winter as to how many watts of heat you will have to provide for the size of the body of water you wish to heat. Sarcasm rarely ever gets you anywhere on this site. Honestly you'd probably get more ideas and info posting in the DIY section of the site. Way more hits there than here. Hope this helps some
Hhmmm, fifth post and sarcasm 
, try bump next time so much more acceptable. This is a forum followed by volunteers who try to give information / advice in a timely manor but it could take a week for someone to see you (example: I didn't see your first post) You get what you pay for 
.
You didn't make mention if you had explored past post on this endeavor. There is an incredible amount of info there from people that have already done this very thing, even from your area.
A little more info from you would help too...
What are the temp extremes and averages?
What are your preferences... Inground / aboveground / liner / pre-fab / concrete / wood / fiberglass. Ground conditions are helpful to know here. (how do you want to view these fish? Pacu aren't that exciting from above but excellent from the side).
What's your buget? "I finally have the money" is a little vague (for the pond(s) monthly/yearly maint./electrical/food/medications/nets).
For the fish you want your going to need some volume, on the order of 10k gallons. and a similar indoor tank.
A 1hp pump an a large W/D filter system (barrels (3-4 55g) are cheapest but not attractive). You will need two of these systems (outdoor / indoor) unless you can have the filter indoors and and connected to both ponds for easy transfer (a standby / replacement pump in this case is needed).
Insulated and heated indoor pond / insulated and heated garage (1 or 2 car ?) (will garage be opened in the winter?). You could need a 3kw - 5kw heater to hold temps depending on weather conditions (you need to be able to counter anything that Mother Nature hits you with).
Water features should be run on a separate pump.
Is a cover for protection from predators needed?
Pond should be partially shade to help control algae problems. Good lighting on the indoor pond for the winter.
This is a start.
Hope you come back to read this or it was all in vain.
Dr Joe
.
, try bump next time so much more acceptable. This is a forum followed by volunteers who try to give information / advice in a timely manor but it could take a week for someone to see you (example: I didn't see your first post) You get what you pay for .You didn't make mention if you had explored past post on this endeavor. There is an incredible amount of info there from people that have already done this very thing, even from your area.
A little more info from you would help too...
What are the temp extremes and averages?
What are your preferences... Inground / aboveground / liner / pre-fab / concrete / wood / fiberglass. Ground conditions are helpful to know here. (how do you want to view these fish? Pacu aren't that exciting from above but excellent from the side).
What's your buget? "I finally have the money" is a little vague (for the pond(s) monthly/yearly maint./electrical/food/medications/nets).
For the fish you want your going to need some volume, on the order of 10k gallons. and a similar indoor tank.
A 1hp pump an a large W/D filter system (barrels (3-4 55g) are cheapest but not attractive). You will need two of these systems (outdoor / indoor) unless you can have the filter indoors and and connected to both ponds for easy transfer (a standby / replacement pump in this case is needed).
Insulated and heated indoor pond / insulated and heated garage (1 or 2 car ?) (will garage be opened in the winter?). You could need a 3kw - 5kw heater to hold temps depending on weather conditions (you need to be able to counter anything that Mother Nature hits you with).
Water features should be run on a separate pump.
Is a cover for protection from predators needed?
Pond should be partially shade to help control algae problems. Good lighting on the indoor pond for the winter.
This is a start.
Hope you come back to read this or it was all in vain.
Dr Joe
.
well thanks for the info. yes i did read other post for some ideas and all and have looked through the pond area extensively for info. The spot im gonna do the tank is partially shaded with good sun in morning and mid day. late afternoon not so much though. Deepest spot im thinkin 4 ft. Temps here rarely get below freezing and when they do i dont feel it here. I live in a subdivision with alot of houses blockin north wind. I dont evan drip my pipes when it does freeze. never freezes for long though. houston is warm. No predators here just my dog and he dont do nothing. garage is on south side of house and is always closed. coldest if may get inside garage is like 65. its nice. garage is insulated 2 car.
what kinda fish would be interesting from the top and are hardy? I appreciate the info. thanks.
what kinda fish would be interesting from the top and are hardy? I appreciate the info. thanks.
Koi of course, large comets, light colored catfish (ID's,RTC), Tin foils flash nicely, Pbass...then the more exotics...how much money ya got .
Dr Joe
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.Dr Joe
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money is as much as i need. i dont really have a limit. I dont wanna go to extravagent but as far as cost of runnin pumps and stuff. no big deal. all construction im gonna do and i have a backhoe so diggin is no problem. fish prices depend on how hardy they are. i wanna have something hardy, big, and active that you can see from top nicely. i konw a guy that raises koa so if i decide to go that route, i have a hookup, but i want something unusual for a pond. i dont want the a typical setup.