Winter inside

Karalak42

Jack Dempsey
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Aug 19, 2021
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Hi guys is it possible if i make a 700 gallon pool for my fish to keep em outside in summer but to put em i. A smaller tanks for 3to 5 coldest months?
 
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duanes

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Isla Taboga Panama via Milwaukee
I used to do this every year in Wisconsin.
Because (even for the cold water fish, and water lilies) my 1500 gal pond would become a solid block of ice by Jan.
Fish would go outside in May, stay thru @ mid Oct, and be brought in the basement for the winter
For large fish like koi, I used a 1,000 gal kiddy pool.
1634214831389.png
1634214910374.png
Tropical (and semi-tropical fish) were put in tanks.
But even in summer in WI, the fish kept outside, needed to be quite hardy.
Uruaguayan cichlids worked well, and did northern Mexican species.
1634215102518.png
Above Gymnogeophagus in the pond. In WI, even summer air temps could drop water temps down into the low 60s F.
Below Uruguayan Australoheros spawning outside
1634215334468.png
Below netting them out for the winter
1634215391050.png
 

Karalak42

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 19, 2021
100
35
36
32
I used to do this every year in Wisconsin.
Because (even for the cold water fish, and water lilies) my 1500 gal pond would become a solid block of ice by Jan.
Fish would go outside in May, stay thru @ mid Oct, and be brought in the basement for the winter
For large fish like koi, I used a 1,000 gal kiddy pool.
View attachment 1475912
View attachment 1475913
Tropical (and semi-tropical fish) were put in tanks.
But even in summer in WI, the fish kept outside, needed to be quite hardy.
Uruaguayan cichlids worked well, and did northern Mexican species.
View attachment 1475914
Above Gymnogeophagus in the pond. In WI, even summer air temps could drop water temps down into the low 60s F.
Below Uruguayan Australoheros spawning outside
View attachment 1475915
Below netting them out for the winter
View attachment 1475916
Do you think i could keep a gar without heater inside in winter
 

..puSkar..

Dovii
MFK Member
Dec 6, 2020
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If the temp drops below 7/8° C (45°f) then you might want a heater. I think they can take lower temps but i won't risk it.
 

duanes

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Isla Taboga Panama via Milwaukee
Do you think i could keep a gar without heater inside in winter
Depends on the natural habitat of the gar, where it comes from.
Certain species of gars were native to rivers and lakes where I lived in WI, so they possibly could survive if your pond didn't freeze to the bottom.
But a Cuban gar, or a Forida gar, or any tropical gar, I doubt it.
 

Karalak42

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 19, 2021
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Depends on the natural habitat of the gar, where it comes from.
Certain species of gars were native to rivers and lakes where I lived in WI, so they possibly could survive if your pond didn't freeze to the bottom.
But a Cuban gar, or a Forida gar, or any tropical gar, I doubt it.
Should be spotted gars i will get
 
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