update on my heated pond

[zyno]

Just an update for people trying to do a tropical pond outside.

My 400 gallon pond (approx 5'x5'x2.5') is currently at 74*F at 7am this morning. Last night it got down to the low 20's. Daytime temps have been in the mid 40's.

So far so good, but it is only mid December!


I have the pond covered with plywood (with two plastic windows) and a 1000 watt spa heater that I wired to a line voltage thermostat.

This is an experiment of sorts for me with the hope that I can keep some cichlids outside year round.

 

[jworth]

Just an update for people trying to do a tropical pond outside.

My 400 gallon pond (approx 5'x5'x2.5') is currently at 74*F at 7am this morning. Last night it got down to the low 20's. Daytime temps have been in the mid 40's.

So far so good, but it is only mid December!


I have the pond covered with plywood (with two plastic windows) and a 1000 watt spa heater that I wired to a line voltage thermostat.

This is an experiment of sorts for me with the hope that I can keep some cichlids outside year round.

Even if you can only keep it mildly heated and it drops down to 50's or so there are a ton of nice Uruguayan fish that would be perfect in there, such as Australoheros sp. and gymnogeophagus and could breed out there and everything. that would be real cool. Although if you can keep it about 70 then your options are more open. you should post some pics.

 

[Pharaoh]

Lets see those pics!

 

[zyno]

Here are a few shots of the pond. The first is it mid-summer and the rest are currently.

 

[Johnnie]

Lets see those pics (of the spa heater)!

Here are photos of an electric spa heater for heating a pond.

$400 spa heater for pond

 

[zyno]

That is basically what I made. I have about $150 into the one I made. I'm just a cheap-o and a bit ghetto.

 

[Muske]

Cheap and effective...

Is the filter off?

 

[zyno]

No, the filter is running. The blue tub with the hose going into the top is the filter. I pump from a submersible pump into the top of the filter box. The water then hits a "splash plate" that I perforated. It then drips down to a filter pad for mechanical filteration and then drains though a bunch of pot scrubbies back into the pond.