PIKE POND and questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
if it is only a foot deep nothing will be able to live in that comfortable need to make it at least 24" deep, our standards are not to high there just right, i would say like a 6 by 6 by 3 to 8 by 8 by 3 would be awesome, your tank will work just add more depth or else your screwed, also do not stock it like crazy or you will go from lots of cool fish to lots of dead fish
 
To be honest with you, those dimensions sound about right, except for the depth. There are two main reasons why you should make it deeper.

First, with that depth, you are going to have problems with temperature and oxygenation. Being outside, its going to be warmed up by the sun, you're really not going to have much control over it. Since its so shallow, it will be easier for the whole pond to heat up too hot. Fish in pools of water that is only 1' deep generally don't do to well. Now if it was a tank, you could do this pretty easily, since you can 'control' the temp. I would definately go for at least 24" though. It will be deep enough that there will be cooler water down lower, and the fish will have more room to swim/escape.

Second reason is predation. I know you really don't want to think about it, or even think it can happen, but it IS a serious thing to consider when setting up a pond. If the water is only 1' deep, the fish are going to be constantly 'exposed' to predators with really no way to escape. Especially since most of those fish you listed are going to be several inches deep...;). You make it deeper, they have a better chance of evasion.

How are you going to have it set up? Is it going to be a rectangle? Or are you going to have it a weird shape? What are your plans for filtration? Very cool that you are doing this man, it will open up new doors for you! :D
 
Thanks peanut i think i will go with a rectangle i think i might be able to go 24 deep then i can keep a ray too!:drool: i dont think predation is a big issue as the only predator whithin miles would be a hawk but maybe our cat might not do to well...? not sure what exactly i thought maybe i could do a fountain and an internal filter for 100 gallons but if i made it deeper it would be three hundred gallons and filtration would be crazy!:eek::confused: on another post i asked if there was any good cheap filter but the basically said "you get what you pay" :nilly: i already knew that but you could spend a lot more then you need to! does any one have any suggestions whioth out paying over 50 bucks? it would help A LOT also is there iny DIY filters?
thanks a bunch.
 
In a good pond setup, lots of the biofiltration will be done by plants. When I set up an outside tub for the summer, I usually just use a few pond filters...nothing excessive...and then throw in some floating plants. I'm not sure what you have available down there, but up here there are lots of fast-growing plants that do a good job, and also provide extra cover (roots hanging in the water).
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com