Stocking/Acclimation question for new pond

[jaytech33]

I'm in the process of building a 8 x 4 x 3 indoor pond. DIY huge filter and big pump for high turnover.

My plan is to stock with an RTC. Possibly add a RTC X TSN. I know the pond won't hold them for life, but I should hopefully get 5 years or so until I need to build again.

With that said, my questions are as follows:


1. Cycle the pond, buy a small RTC and start him in the pond?
2. Put the RTC in a 50 gal I have and let him grow for a bit before going into the pond?
3. Same questions only with a RTC and RTC X TSN


Thanks!
Jay

 

[haynchinook334]

I would grow the RTC out in the 50 while the pond is cycling. You can use silver dollars to help cycle the pond.

 

[oscar n redtail cat]

get a rtc and a rtcXtsn best of both worlds isent it

 

[jaytech33]

If I get them both at the same time, and try to get them close to the same size will this help keep them from killing each other? Either in the pond, or the 50 gal.

 

[perfect_prefect]

you should grow them together, if they are not in a comm. they can become very aggro when you try to introduce tankmates. i would say cycle the pond with some feeder goldfish, like 20-30 of them. once the cycle is done wait a week or 2 to make sure the feeders are getting fat enough, then add the rtc and rtc x tsn in. they should love all the swimming room, and that way you never have to move them and then wait for them to adjust to the new pond when theyve been used to the tank. over time the feeders will all disappear, but until they do keep feeding them good goldfish food to fatten them up.