outdoor ponds and cichlids

[bbortko]

With spring around the corner I'm starting to map out plans for the yard and one idea I'm toying with is a patio pond and if there is a pond I want to sneak some fish into it. I would prefer a light enough bioload that plants can be the sole source of filtration. In winter I can move the set-up to my garage and use a sponge filter. My garage is semi-insulated and attached so it rarely dips below freezing, I believe maintaining a temp in the 50s is very realistic. I have sevs, geos, heckellii, angels and a belly crawler so i'd like to go into a new direction. For some reason carpintis pop out as something I've heard would work. I'm in the Chicago and want to know what you goes have kept in a similar fashion.

 

[JDCHSFB69]

Doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[joe jaskot]

Once the weather warms up you can keep almost anything outside. You just have to bring the fish inside in the fall as water temperatures begin to drop.

 

[oscarman2003]

and watch out for blu hearing birds one frew off with a 10in red devil last summer

 

[duanes]

I kept carpintus outside last summer in Milwaukee, but the pond is sunken in the ground so temp is fairly stable.
I have lept Gymnogeophagus and Australoheros species for about 5 years outdoors May thru October, they are better candidates as they can handle wider fluctuations, from high 40s up into the 90sF.

Both species breed like crazy throughout the season.

 

[bbortko]

I kept carpintus outside last summer in Milwaukee, but the pond is sunken in the ground so temp is fairly stable.
I have lept Gymnogeophagus and Australoheros species for about 5 years outdoors May thru October, they are better candidates as they can handle wider fluctuations, from high 40s up into the 90sF.

Both species breed like crazy throughout the season.

Your pond is what sparked the idea, but was hoping for options less similar to my current tanks. I've always fancied ceibals though, on a plus I have an extra 36 and 20 to use for wintering with these guys.

 

[duanes]

I've also had good luck with Tilapia and Geophagus braziliensus in a rubbermaid trough, but bad luck with xCichlasoma pearsei and Viejas. One slight cold snap in late June and it was all over for them.

 

[bbortko]

The brasiliensis reminds me that ive read my iporangensis come from cooler waters, if i use them i can open up space in my 125. I read some promising stuff on tilapia, surviving temps in the 40s. This may be my best option if I follow through with the project, have to recheck funding once other yard projects are completed.

 

[duanes]

I would bet the G iporangensis would be a perfect candidate, coming from a mountain fed stream in more temperate southern Brazil, they should be able to handle wider fluctuations them many cichlids.

 

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

duanes---what kind of gymno is that? Love the colors!!!!