Background
I live in Orlando, FL and built a 5,000 gallon pond plus stream to originally keep koi. I decided not to have koi because they aren't as interesting to me. The stream section is 20'L x 2'W x 2'D and pours over into the pond which is 18'L x 8'W x 5'D. 3' of the pond is below grade and the stream is at grade level. I have 2 bottom drains that go through a bio-mechanical filter, 120W UV and return to the front of the stream. I have 60cfm air pump running to two 12" air diffusers on each drain for oxygen and to move debris to the drain. I have a skimmer on a separate pump that returns to 2 jets in the pond for current. The stream has rocks and is loaded with plants like hornwort and anacharis. The pond is 5 weeks old and has finished cycling with a dozen goldfish.
I will be using solar panels to keep the temp at least 68 degrees in the winter and below 90 in the summer. The solar panel valve will automatically send water to the panels during the day to heat or during the night to cool. Without it, the temp would go to 55 in the winter and 90 in the summer.
My question: Instead of KOI, I want small tropical fish in the stream and large fish in the pond. I was thinking of Iridescent and/or Paroon catfish for the pond and assorted tropical for the stream. I know the catfish can get very large and wanted to know what qty would be reasonable based on my filtration. I also wanted to know the max. temp range for the catfish ? I've read what it is, but wanted to know users personal experience.
I live in Orlando, FL and built a 5,000 gallon pond plus stream to originally keep koi. I decided not to have koi because they aren't as interesting to me. The stream section is 20'L x 2'W x 2'D and pours over into the pond which is 18'L x 8'W x 5'D. 3' of the pond is below grade and the stream is at grade level. I have 2 bottom drains that go through a bio-mechanical filter, 120W UV and return to the front of the stream. I have 60cfm air pump running to two 12" air diffusers on each drain for oxygen and to move debris to the drain. I have a skimmer on a separate pump that returns to 2 jets in the pond for current. The stream has rocks and is loaded with plants like hornwort and anacharis. The pond is 5 weeks old and has finished cycling with a dozen goldfish.
I will be using solar panels to keep the temp at least 68 degrees in the winter and below 90 in the summer. The solar panel valve will automatically send water to the panels during the day to heat or during the night to cool. Without it, the temp would go to 55 in the winter and 90 in the summer.
My question: Instead of KOI, I want small tropical fish in the stream and large fish in the pond. I was thinking of Iridescent and/or Paroon catfish for the pond and assorted tropical for the stream. I know the catfish can get very large and wanted to know what qty would be reasonable based on my filtration. I also wanted to know the max. temp range for the catfish ? I've read what it is, but wanted to know users personal experience.
