I live in socal, so the temperatures rarely go below 40°F and thats not very often and only for short periods in the night. Its constantly sunny and in the 80s to 90s. I have a 40g freshwater tank, but im interested in putting together an approximately 500 or so gallon pond in my backyard. In it I would like to house motoro stingrays, tilapias, plecos, and possibly an arowana or some other interesting larger tropical fish or eels or crayfish. Im wondering how to build the pond (above ground) and how to maintain it. What supplies will I need? (heater, filter, pumps etc) What specific ones would you suggest? I was thinking of a design like a scaled up version of this http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?197252-400-gallon-stingray-pond
Also how can I be sure that the temperature wont drop in the night? The heater/thermostat is important, and I will need to maintain a consistent water temperature.
How do I build the pond?
What should I use (filter, pump, etc)?
Best heater for maintaining temperature?
What maintenance will be required? (like how do you do water changes with so much water? and how frequently? the tap water here cant be used for fish unfortunately, I only use RO water)
↑ these are my main questions ↑
I would like it to be planted btw
Also, I would like to experiment with using plants for filtration, however not necessarily with this proposed pond. If you have any experience with plant filtration or aquaponics, please share all you can. Are there any logistical problems or compatibility problems you can see that might occur? How much of what can I put into a pond like this? What decor/diets would be necessary? What plants are good for with these fish? What substrete/gravel should I use? Is a sump something I should have? What hardware do I need and might want, and how should I set it up like sump or not, filter, lighting, and what not? What should I use to make an animal-proof top?
I definitely will have to cover the pond due to the possums, raccoons, and rats we have here that would make a meal out of my livestock. I also want the pond to look good and to be able to see inside, and see the fish. Ive never had stingrays before or had a pond. I do have experience with freshwater tanks though. I have a decent sized area (not sure of dimensions) against a wall of the house that I can use. This space is nothing but hard dirt.
Please help me design this pond and bring my ideas to life by answering what you can. I will post pictures and updates of my progress as soon as I start.
thanks for your help
Also how can I be sure that the temperature wont drop in the night? The heater/thermostat is important, and I will need to maintain a consistent water temperature.
How do I build the pond?
What should I use (filter, pump, etc)?
Best heater for maintaining temperature?
What maintenance will be required? (like how do you do water changes with so much water? and how frequently? the tap water here cant be used for fish unfortunately, I only use RO water)
↑ these are my main questions ↑
I would like it to be planted btw
Also, I would like to experiment with using plants for filtration, however not necessarily with this proposed pond. If you have any experience with plant filtration or aquaponics, please share all you can. Are there any logistical problems or compatibility problems you can see that might occur? How much of what can I put into a pond like this? What decor/diets would be necessary? What plants are good for with these fish? What substrete/gravel should I use? Is a sump something I should have? What hardware do I need and might want, and how should I set it up like sump or not, filter, lighting, and what not? What should I use to make an animal-proof top?
I definitely will have to cover the pond due to the possums, raccoons, and rats we have here that would make a meal out of my livestock. I also want the pond to look good and to be able to see inside, and see the fish. Ive never had stingrays before or had a pond. I do have experience with freshwater tanks though. I have a decent sized area (not sure of dimensions) against a wall of the house that I can use. This space is nothing but hard dirt.
Please help me design this pond and bring my ideas to life by answering what you can. I will post pictures and updates of my progress as soon as I start.
thanks for your help
