Pond Help please!

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U

uncwnells

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 18, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
Hey guys and gals, after reading through the posts in here about indoor ponds I have decided to set one up in my detached garage that is basically unused at the moment. I have some questions that I would like to find the answer to to avoid any stupid mistakes.

1) What is the best bang for your buck. I am thinking that something like one of the blue plastic baby pools might be the best way to go. I am looking for soemthing thats like 200-500 gallons ( I may be greatly over estimating the size of a pond this big so let me know). I really do not want to, nor can I afford, to spend a great deal of money.

2) I live in Wilmington, NC which is on the southeast coast of the US. What is the soonest I can move my fish out to the pond? Its 75 today but I am sure the temp will take another swing back down into the 40s. The fish that will be going into the pond are CA/SA cichlids.

3) The temperature here during the summer is 90s with days above and below. The tank will be in a garage so it will be shaded all day long, do I need to worry about the water getting to hot?

4) Since the pond will not see the sun basically at all, do I need to add some other form of lighting?

I am sure I will think of other questions later, so I will appologize in advance, but I am the kind of person that likes to know what I am getting into, unlike the guy who buys a pacu/oscar and a ten gallon tank. For filtration I will be using an fx5 and/or two diy wet/dry style fitration units. I was also thinking that if it comes to it and I have moved my fish into the pond I could just use all the heaters from the empty tanks to regulate my temps for a while. I will be moving the fish from my (2) 125g and my 75g tank into the pond.

Stocklist:
8" m Festae
9" f Jag
8" f Severum
6" M GT
12" Pim Cat
9" Syno Eurep
4" unsexed JD
3" convict pair
7" Oscar
9" Albino Chocolate Pleco
 
bump, you dont have to answer all the questions, you can answer one or two if you would like.
 
1) IMO rubermaid stock bins are prbly the best bang for you buck. No putting it together and no repairing any mistakes or anything of that sort.
2) I would insulate ur garage if you have not and then just over heat the pond so you can have them out there year round.
3) Idk my detached garage used to get really hot but if your water does get too hot just get a fan and blow it across the surface of the water that usaly does the trick.
4) I would go to homedepot and but one of the cheap florecent lighting things (usally like $14) so you can see your fish when ever you want

Just some other things i would like to state: Get somthing to cover the top of the pond, sad to see a dead fish. Second, if you get a rubbermaid stock tank drill it for a bulkhead and do a diy wet/dry and put all the heaters in there makes everything very clean and easy.
Good luck ill try to check back if you have any more ?
 
thanks so much for taking the time to help me out! YOU ROCK!
 
Just adding to stingray man's fine post...

You'll also want to eliminate wild temperature swings, which are worse that a little too hot or cold. Put the largest container you have in the garage, fill with water and check the temp for a few days and nights (mornings and evenings) to get an idea of the % of swing.

Kiddie pools (Intex etc) will need the entire bottom insulated from the floor along with the sides. You can float Styrofoam sheets on top for insulation and to help with evaporation with either style pool.

The rubbermaid stock tanks (300 is the largest or was, check the stickies) are the most worry free scenario for you.

Insulate the bottom with 2" Styrofoam (it will crush a little) and the sides with roll insulation if you like (scrounge around commercial construction dumpsters ;), just ask first).

Set it on blocks just high enough to install a bottom drain (you will love it). Yu can use roll insulation under the tank in this situation.

(2) 1.25"- 1.5" over-flows and a 1" return will keep the water flowing without restrictions.

One 55g barrel sump and one 55g barrel W/D will take care of the pond nicely and inexpensively too (again, trouble free), and will give you extra water volume.

Oh, the ten gallon tank the guy bought with the Pacu/Oscar was it's feeding dish! :D

Dr Joe

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dont really need to add to dr. joe's response, he said it all. your biggest hurdle is going to be the temp swings. in other words the more water volume the better (tends to insulate itself--hold temp) and the more insulation the better. if you feel you can get another layer of insulation around it, DO IT. it will help keep it warm in the cold times and cool in the warm times. the dual 55 gal. filters can be researched there are plenty of people running them, they are tried true and cheap. us ghetto pond kinda people gotta stick together, so if you have any other questions post em on up one of us can help you. i guess i did add to dr. joe
 
for insulation purposes (and kind of because of your picture ) i have to recommend a 2x4 framed plywood pond with a pond liner rather than the stock tank. you have the space might as well get your water volume up there a ways.
 
Thanks to all, I am having some unexpected trouble finding a "kiddie pool", I figured those things would be all over the place like they were when I was a kid, but its either not close enough to summer or they just dont mke those things as much anymore. If the garage is basically insulated, except for the garage door, will I need to insulate the pond as much?

I checked into the rubbermaid stock bins, but most of them are too small and way to expensive. I am looking for something that is not deeper than it is wide.
 
try walmart, they have couple of good options regarding pools
 
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