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Goldfish with that sinking
feeling - 3/21/08
Hi crew,
<Linda>
I have an outdoor half-barrel pond (approx. 28 gallons) with three feeder-type
goldfish purchased from a megastore.
<Mmm, will need more room...>
One fish appears to have developed a problem with his swim bladder; the other
two are fine. I checked the pond chemistry using a five-in-one dipstick test and
levels are all good; I have had the pond for about two years and it has long
been stable, and I do water changes (though perhaps not as often as I should,
especially in winter).
<Okay>
The sick fish appears very weak and lays on the bottom of the pond without
moving. He has been ailing for several days and getting progressively worse. I
have tried shelled peas but he doesn't appear overly interested in eating. He
did eat a bite or two of pea yesterday, but has trouble eating since when he
does try to swim, he's head down, tail up, and doesn't seem to have much control
over his direction.
I read that I could try adding Epsom salt to the water, and I believe the
recommended ratio was 1 tbsp per 10 gallons. I also read that I could try a more
concentrated salty "bath" for a shorter period. Do you think I should try this
or would this put him over the edge?
<I would add the Epsom to the tub garden at the 1 tsp/10 gal. volume... Should
be okay for plants... in the container, outside if the water is dispersed in
your garden>
Is there anything more I can do for him? I don't have high hopes for him at this
point but will do what I can.
Thank you.
Linda
<Hope, like Spring for me, is eternal. Bob Fenner>
goldfish with that sinking feeling
Forgot to mention that I feed them the dreaded pellets only occasionally
(perhaps once a week), and the pond is full of tasty plants for the fish to
nibble at their leisure.
<And likely all manner of other bits... insect larvae, what have you. No
worries. Bob Fenner>
Re: goldfish with that
sinking feeling, & stkg. cont. garden ponds f' – 03/22/08
Thank you, Bob. I will add the Epsom salts this morning. The fish is still
alive but rarely moves at all, though yesterday was the first
official day of spring, so...
<Ah, yes>
I have one question about your response. I thought the rule of thumb for
goldfish was 10 gallons per fish.
<Mmm, something more than this... perhaps 15-20... and a bit more again for this
"variety" (all goldfish are the same dihybrid crossed species)... The Comet gets
quite large, even in small volumes...>
I had just under that with the half barrel, at 9.3 gallons per fish. I just
transferred two fish to a new, full-size wine barrel (with a fish-safe liner)
which holds about 60 gallons. (I left the ailing fish in his old habitat, with a
partial water change; once he is well or passes, I plan to have only
water plants in that barrel due to raccoon problems.) I was going to buy another
fish or two, thinking the 60 gallon pond could hold up to
6 fish, though I was planning on only 4, perhaps 5. Am I wrong?
Thank you again.
Linda
<Mmm, not really wrong... to be clear/er here, it's a good idea to switch out
such comets as they grow a bit larger... Bob Fenner>
Update and a question,
Goldfish cont. garden 3/23/08
Hello again,
Sadly, the fish did not make it, despite my efforts.
I have a new question. As I wrote below, I moved two fish to a larger container
pond, which is a full-size wine barrel with a fish-safe liner. I did so because
the raccoons ate some of the fish from the half barrel, and I think they will be
safer in the larger one (as it's taller and at least they have some depth to
escape to). The habitat is new but I moved rocks, plants, and the old filter
(with old media intact) to the new barrel, along with some water from the old
pond, to ease the transition. Chemistry is all good per the five in one test
strip. The fish are not that big, perhaps 2 1/2 inches long each.
<Okay>
Today I noticed the two remaining fish hanging out at the surface.
Not gasping, but just lingering below the surface, whereas when I put them in a
few days ago, they swam all around and spent most of the time about halfway
down. I wonder if there is an oxygen problem.
<Could be>
The barrel diameter at the surface is 23 inches, and it's about 36 inches deep.
I have a filter running which has a rate of 185 gph (not sure if that's big
enough?); it's at the bottom of the barrel. I do see water moving on the
surface. I have two couple of bunches of elodea underwater (suspended midway
down) plus water hyacinth floating on top.
<Could be some decomposition from the plants as well>
I haven't been able to find any info online about whether the surface area/depth
ratio may cause oxygen problems. Can you advise if you think this is an issue
and what I can do to resolve it (ie will more elodea help, should I get an
airstone, or a larger filter)? Thank you.
Linda
<I would add a "bubbler" here... Likely a Tetra Luft pump... tubing, check-valve
and large/r bead glass airstone. Bob Fenner>
Re: update and a question,
Goldfish cont. garden 4/8/08
Greetings once again,
<Linda>
I added a bubbler, and it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference. The
fish still linger under the surface most of the time, one more than the other.
They are not gasping at the surface, just...
hanging out among the water hyacinth. I don't see any unusual physical markings,
spots, or bulging. If I feed them peas, they do become more animated and chase
after the sinking pea bits. I tested the chemistry again yesterday with a
six-in-one test strip and it's the same: nitrite 0, nitrate 0,
<Mmm, this is dubious... these test strips are notoriously inaccurate and
imprecise>
total hardness about 75 ppm, chlorine 0, total alkalinity about 120, pH around
6.8-7.2.
<The rest is believable and fine>
I wonder if this surface lingering behavior is due to the cold?
<Also doubtful... is the container situated such that there is too much exposure
and hence thermal variation diurnally?>
It has been chilly here, in the low 50s at night, and I can tell the larger
barrel (about 58 gallons) is significantly colder than the half barrel (about 28
gallons) where they were previously,
<Oh! Then this could indeed be a factor. Best that the daily temp. not range
much more than 5, 6, 7 F.>
as measured by the highly scientific method of stinking my fingers in one, then
the other. In winters past, though, the fish usually hovered midway down, or
close to the bottom, rather than at the top.
I guess I'm worrying since the one fish died recently. Is there anything I
should do other than just wait? Thank you.
Linda
<Mmm, I would start changing out about ten percent of the water every week...
sometime when you can be present during the entire change, re-fill... if the
water temp. is about 50-55 F.... From the bottom, with a siphon hose... in hopes
of diluting "wastes", possible contributing factors. Bob Fenner>
|
Fish in a Turtle Pond - 04/04/2007
< A 50 gallon tub is not really that big. If you are not interested in what the
fish look like then I would go with a few Gambusia or simple mosquito fish.
Being outdoors you don't want this tub to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
They are small and fast but very attractive. Another interesting fish to try
would be the common paradise fish. They can actually be quite hardy in the temp.
range you described. They are colorful and can actually breed outdoors when
conditions are right. As far as plants go I would look at any of the pond plants
that grow out of the water. They provide shade and are very effective at
removing toxins from the water. If you are going with the hose technique from
replacing water, you will need a water conditioner to treat the chloramines for
the fish.-Chuck>
Re: moving red ear slider turtles and fish to an outdoor 50 gallon pond. -
04/04/2007
Thanks for the quick response. I looked it up and will have a bit of both.
What type of rule of thumb do I need to follow as far as how many I can put in
the pond? 5? 10? More?
< I would put a dozen of the mosquito fish in to start. If conditions are
favorable then you will have plenty in no time at all. I would stick to just a
couple paradise fish. They are territorial and two males may fight.-Chuck>
Indoor Pond... actually container gardening f' 7/11/06
I have a pair of 3" comets in a twenty gallon aquarium - which I know is
too small for these fish in the long run - so I'm interested in building an
indoor pond.
<Neat!>
My plan was to connect four 45 gallon plastic bins together with 12" thick
piping, using aquarium sealant to keep the joints water tight.
<Mmm... Silastic won't really work here... to seal twixt the plastics...
depending on what they're made of (not polyethylene) you might be able to
have them welded... elsewise there is a possibility of using clear or not
PVC and through-hull/bulkhead fittings, gaskets... Though much more
expensive the larger they are>
Filtration will be achieved by having an outlet in the first bin to a
wet/dry filter, with the water return being on the last bin (so as to
achieve water flow between the containers).
<Sounds good>
Do you see any potential problems with this setup? I plan to rinse the bins
and PVC pipes beforehand to ensure no chemicals leach into the water,
<And give them a scrub with rock salt and water...>
and I have bioballs from my established tank to jump-start the wet/dry
filter. Also, what size will the pipes have to be before the fish will swim
through them?
<Mmm... the biggest I think you'd have to go is 4 inch ID>
There will only be about 4" of space between the containers, and I'm aiming
to make the pipes about a foot in diameter.
Paul
<Look into the bulkheads... Bob Fenner>
Pond Scum 6/5/06
I recently purchased a half-barrel as a water feature for my garden;
when I bought it it smelt of spirits i.e. whiskey.
<I'd use a liner of some sort with this....>
I thoroughly cleaned it and set it up with various plants and fish. All was
well for approx. 3 months. Now I am getting a thick grey slime which clings
to everything and seems to be smothering some of the plants though it is not
causing the fish any problems. If you can imagine wallpaper paste it is very
similar with a strong smell similar to vomit [sorry for that description but
that is what it smells like]. Any help on what it is and what possible
treatment there is would be very much appreciated.
<It's probably a bacterial bloom of some sort.... To be quite honest, I
would remove the plants and fish, drain it, clean it, and add a liner before
filling it again, just to be on the safe side. Though I'm not positive, I
would think this would at least decrease the problem. I would also add some
sort of pump/fountain for circulation, if you're not already using one.>
Thank you.
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>
Goldfish barrel-pond questions - 4/11/2006
Thanks for your informative website. I've been reading it and
taking notes, but would very much appreciate some feedback if possible.
<Okay>
I recently set up a half-barrel water garden which was previously used with
success by a family member a year or two ago (but in
storage since then, so no living good bacteria present). I read a
few articles online and thought it seemed like a simple enough endeavor.
Just enough education to be dangerous, right?
<Perhaps>
I placed the barrel in an area that gets a few hours of sun daily; our
coastal weather rarely gets hot. I calculated that its capacity
is just under 43 gallons. I filled it with tap water, added a de-chloramine
solution (Kordon's Pond AmQuel), put in 18 stems of
anacharis, a bog plant (society garlic) and a hardy lily both potted in
aquatic plant media, and topped the barrel with water hyacinth
from a friend's pond, covering about 60% of the surface. I plopped in a
small mechanical filter also acquired from the barrel's previous
owner, not sure of the brand or size offhand, but the type that pulls water
through a sponge to trap particles.
<These are very appropriate technology here>
I also put some small pebbles in the bottom, not entirely covering it. When
everything was in place for a day or two, my husband went down to the local
pet
megastore and bought four small "feeder" goldfish, though I told him to only
get two. I know now: Not enough time.
The little fish seemed happy enough for about 10 days, during which
I realize now we were overfeeding them the flake food from the megastore.
<Likely don't need to fed at all during the colder months (water temp. below
55 F.>
One of them grew noticeably bigger. Then they seemed less active and I
noticed the bronze colored ones had changed color to a
dark gray. They became increasingly listless, and the worst affected was
sitting on the bottom with fins clamped. I went online and
determined that we likely had a water quality problem.
<Mmm... actually much more likely a cycling, lack of cycling issue>
Another megastore visit, this time for test kits. The tests revealed that
the water was very acidic; 6.2 on the strip, but that was the
lowest it went so it could well have been lower. The ammonia kit read .25
ppm (one of these color-coded deals, this seemed the closest
color match). Nitrate 0 ppm ("safe" on my color chart), nitrite .5 ppm
("caution" on my chart).
<Bingo...>
The fish were clearly all getting worse, so I panicked and decreed that a
total water change was in order, pulled everything out, hosed out the barrel
and started anew. I know:
Too extreme.
<Yes>
While the fish were in a pot awaiting their freshened barrel, I noticed they
were all covered with a whitish-blue coat. No! More google, back to the
store for QuICKCure,
<... toxic...>
which I have dutifully applied for the past three days. I reintroduced the
fish as gently as I could, taking a couple of hours to add in small amounts
of the new
water with their old. The new water, our tap water, is alkaline, a big
contrast.
<Fine if you just change out, or even just overflow for a bit every week or
so... while watering your garden perhaps>
The tough little guys survived and seem happy once again, darting about and
munching the anacharis, since I have cut
food down a couple of flakes which they consume inside of two minutes. The
bronze fish are showing the bronze color once again on
their bellies and the whitish-blue coating has largely abated but is not yet
entirely gone.
So that's the background. Sorry it's a bit long winded but I want to be
clear.
I don't know why the water became so acidic.
<The barrel, potting soil, feeding... captive aquatic systems are
"reductive" (as in RedOx reactions... trading/stealing electrons...) do go
"acidic" in time. You don't list much in the way of countervailing "alkaline
reserve" (perhaps the pebbles)... so not much to "buffer" this change in pH.
Understanzee?>
We have had an incredible amount of rain since I put the barrel together
(probably 10 inches or more over a two week period) but I don't know if
that
might have contributed?
<Yes, could have>
My questions for you are if this system is sustainable as is or if I need to
add a better filtration system/additives to support these four fish.
<What you list should work out for these few fish for a good few years...
just do be careful re feeding... and do the water changes>
I have no intention of adding more fish. The cavalier water garden articles
I read made it seem that the fish would be fine with the plants and no
filtration at all. If something further is
needed, any recommendations? I can't seem to find a product
that's appropriate for my 43 gallon outdoor barrel. Everything is
geared towards 10 gallon indoor tanks or 1000 gallon koi ponds.
<I sense marketing opportunities....>
Also, my internet perusal showed that the coating on the fish was likely
a secondary illness that had the opportunity to set in because of poor water
quality.
<You are very likely correct... and perceptive>
Is that right, and is QuICK Cure the right thing to use?
<Mmm, I would avoid this as much as practical... one ingredient is
formalin... a biocide... crosslinks proteins...>
Thanks so much for any advice you can offer.
Linda
<Do feel free to write-back if this is not clear, complete (enough)... and
peruse WWM re cycling:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm
Hold off on "supplemental" (the fish are nibbling on indigenous materials)
feeding till there is no detectable ammonia, nitrite. Bob Fenner>
Re: goldfish barrel-pond question/s - 4/11/2006
Thanks for the fast response. I have read the cycling info at the link
you provided and will follow those steps. I have three follow-up questions
on what you wrote.
<Ah, good>
First, what can I do to provide an alkaline reserve? I haven't read anything
about how to balance the system's pH.
<... Mmm, please see WWM re pH, alkalinity...>
And second, as Quick Cure is toxic, what would be a better medication to
use, since the fish still show symptoms?
<Posted as well... under Goldfish Disease... simple salt is almost always
the best cathartic with these fish>
Or should I leave them be for now, without medication?
<Bingo>
(Though I'd like to know for future reference.)
Finally, on regular water changes, how much and how often? 20% weekly, or
more?
<... also posted my friend. Enjoy the process. BobF>
Thanks!
Linda
Re: goldfish barrel-pond question - 04/11/2006
I spent the past two hours reading the site; somehow I had missed all the
info on pH before. Then I retested the water and found that it's
gone very acidic again and there are small levels of ammonia. Poor fish. They've
gone through quite a bit in the past week.
As I formulate a plan to deal with buffering the pH longer term, I wanted to ask
if you think I should buy a plastic barrel liner first
-- to cut out the contact with the wood and make stabilizing the pH simpler?
Thanks again.
Linda
<Mmm... you could... (realize I have no way of knowing the "history" of your
barrel... many are recycled from the alcohol biz...), but I might try using
simple baking soda here (in the absence of an alkalinity test kit, testing...)
to bolster the acidic trend... Barring this however, a liner is prudent. BobF>
Goldfish pH Concerns 3/13/06
<Hi Greg, Pufferpunk here>
I know there are many articles on your site about pH and I have read what seems
like hundreds of them but call me dense--I still can not seem to solve my
issue. I have a terracotta tank outside that holds 20 gallons and 4 small gold
fish in a "pond environment" with an aerator, filter, plant and waterfall.
I flush the water in the tank regularly and it has access to fresh rain
water. I also test the tank often and it tests great with the exception of
alkalinity (ability to buffer) and pH, both are unbelievably low.
<Acid rain?>
I have tried using the pH up drops but they move it only slightly and then the
pH falls again. I know changes in pH do not have a good effect on the fish, so
I am concerned about continuing to use the drops only so they will drop
again. Do you have any suggestions on how I can increase the pH and therefore
the alkalinity so that it will stay at a proper level? Since low pH is acidic
would adding a little diluted base like baking soda work?
<You are correct. It is worse to make a fish live in fluctuating pH, than low
pH, so don't add buffers. They will just break down & the pH will go down
again. I wish you had posted what your pH is. What is the pH of your
tapwater? You should be doing large weekly water changes on a goldfish tank
(90%). Most fish can adjust to most any pH, so as long as you are doing regular
water changes, I wouldn't worry much. Eventually, 20g won't be nearly large
enough for 4 goldfish. ~PP>
Thank you for all of your help. Greg
Container Pond, Unhappy Fish? 03/07/2006
Hi Bob,
<Actually, Sabrina here tonight. We had some technical difficulties; turns out
my laptop at home has a configuration that allows us to read and respond to your
query.>
I found your website through google and I sincerely hope you can help! I
purchased a glazed water bowl (very large) on the weekend and have filled it
with water, placed 4 goldfish and a water lily plant in a tub in the base of the
bowl. It sits outside and is about 1 metre in circumference. I have feed the
little fish each morning, however it doesn't seem like they are eating. They
certainly do not respond at all when I place the food in the water. They float
at the base of the bowl and rarely move. I must say I am very concerned for
them!!! I bought the fish from a brilliant pet shop and requested the most
hardy fish possible for outdoor ponds. No other information or recommendations
were provided. Can you please help?
<Very much to learn, here.... First and foremost, the basics of keeping
fish.... Cycling the "tank" (pond, in this case), maintaining the system,
caring for a pond.... As for why the animals are listless at the bottom of the
container, this could be anything as simple as a very low water temperature to
something as deadly as high ammonia. Please read the following link, and the
other pages linked at the top:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm , and the
applicable sections here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
.>
Look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, -Peta Donaldson
<I do hope this is the beginning of an exciting learning experience for
you! Container ponds are great fun. Wishing you well, -Sabrina>
Container Pond, Unhappy Fish? - II - 03/07/2006
Sabrina,
<Hello again.>
Thanks for your reply. However, a little too late... the fish all died
two days after I sent you the email. I contacted the pet shop from
which I purchased the fish and told them how bitterly disappointed I
was.
<Very sorry to hear this.>
Fish abuse at its best. Very upsetting.
<Indeed.>
That is definitely the first and last time I purchase fish.
<Do please take some time to read, research, perhaps invest in a couple
good books (or even borrow from a local library) and look around on
WetWebMedia - and once you have a better understanding of the animals
you wish to care for, try again.>
Best regards, -Peta
<All the best to you, -Sabrina>
Large fiberglass or polyethylene tanks 8/12/05
Hello-
<Howdy>
Can you point me in the direction of some businesses that sell large fiberglass
or polyethylene tanks?
<Mmm, two critical questions... how large is large, and where for? The U.S.?
Shipping can be expensivo... Here's the Google response:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-27,GGLD:en&q=large+fiberglass+and+polyethylene+tanks+in+the+U%2ES%2E
Bob Fenner>
Thanks-
Mark
Minnow and comet pond... container 07/01/05
Hi,
<Hello there>
I have a 35 gallon container on my patio. 5 2" grey minnows, 3 comet
goldfishes and 1 medium rosy red. I got the grey minnows from the
pet store. The pet store said that the minnows are rosy reds ... but
they're grey ...
<Do change color with season, temperature...>
Anyways, I added the 3 comets recently and one of the minnows was
aggressive to ALL the fishes. The aggressive minnow is always around
the same bush of anacharis. Picking at it and chasing anything that it
sees.
<Happens>
I thought minnows are supposed to be peace and that's why I added
comets. What should I do? Is this a temporary thing?
Thanks,
LH
<Mmm, best to remove the most aggressive fish here... May seem like a lot of
space, but the crowding is a factor. Bob Fenner>
Pool to pond
I found your name on the Internet and hope you don't mind the e-mail. I was
wondering if you had any knowledge of transforming a child's plastic pool
into a pond, and, would this be practical. If so, what precautionary steps
should be taken for longevity? Thanks for your time.
Beau Collier
<Mmm, can be done... need to add a filter, perhaps an air-driven type so you get
redundant aeration... a sponge type would be best... and leave the water level
down a bit to discount "jumping" out of the livestock... The same sorts of
considerations re goldfish systems should be followed as are posted on the WWM
freshwater and pond subwebs for this species. Bob Fenner>
Bird poop in small goldfish pond II 8/27/03
Dear Anthony, Since I wrote you last week about what I though were bird
droppings in my 44 gal in-ground pond with two comet goldfish and a sponge
filter pump, I've now lost one of the fish. The "stuff" I'm seeing is
bluish/green shreds or matter in the water attaching to the plants.
<have you tested your water chemistry or had your local fish store do it. Its
helpful to know where you stand in this regard. As far as the matter... we
unfortunately cannot explain it from such a general description>
In your responses you indicated a good bio filtration system. What could I add
to the pond to create this?
<there are many wonderful filters on the market... Supreme makes a nice
submersible "Pondmaster" tray filter... and Tetra makes some nice
external green barrel filters>
Also, do I clean the sponge filter?
<yes... but rinse in some aged pond water in a bucket during water changes...
never tap water>
I have been doing that (and that may be the problem) therefore washing away good
bacteria.
<no worries as long as you avoided tap water (even then not that big of a
deal). Nitrifiers are stuck firm to the substrate and don't wash away easily.
Water tests will indicate if you have enough filtration... or too much
feeding/load>
Oh boy. Please any help much appreciated. Marty
<pond keeping can be fun and very easy... but it sounds to me like you really
need to read up on the basics my friend. Did you follow the links in our
archives I mentioned last time to you? Do consider if you did not have a chance:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
there are some excellent pond books too:
Water In the Garden, by Allison... and Book of Water Gardens by Dawes (TFH).
Best regards, Anthony>
Bird poop in small goldfish pond III 8/27/03
Thanks Anthony. Perhaps I'm a bit daft (I think that's a word) but I have
read, and read. Everything seems to talk about a 1500 gal. pond or greater. I'm
talking 44 gal., 2 little fish (now 1) and he's no more than 3-3-1/2", pond
has constant circulation and lots of oxygenating plants. Water levels
read in the good to safe range, this has been constant. There is not a lot more
room in this little container for bio filter but I am looking into it.
<ahhh... I see. Indeed... understood and agreed. These "patio"
ponds/barrels really are quite handsome, but alas subject to a volatile
existence for fishes (even the day night temperature swing of 4+ degrees is
enough to weaken many fishes). Such ponds really work best fish-only... but do
enjoy the plants. Some snails too>
(I have a water lily and papyrus that hog the deep part of the pond. The
"outside" filters seem pretty expensive, I know, whine whine. Anyway,
obviously I'm doing something wrong or my other fish would still be with me.
<no worries... tis the nature of the beast. The small volume of water is
simply too unstable for many fishes outside>
I'm working on it which includes reading. I know you are being very patient with
me but I'm not getting something!! Marty
<in part, you have been a victim of misleading marketing, I suspect. In this
case, its all about size. My advice is to simply enjoy a handsomely planted pool
instead. Anthony>
Small Patio Pond - 8/28/03
Thanks again Anthony for your response. I have come to that conclusion too
but alas, I have one goldfish whom I haven't seen much of lately and really hate
to sacrifice him too but know that may be the outcome.
<indeed... small patio sized tub/barrel ponds are volatile environments...
very tough for fishes>
I thought I had everything balanced and stable. I too think it is the too small
pond, too unstable, no matter what.
<even just the day/night temp swings are a challenge>
(Plus ignorance on my part.) Poor fish. I want to do something to save him but
not sure what. I have another indoor aquarium
(10 gal.) but that is quarantine for my stocked 20 gal. I have a neighbor with a
LARGE pond, and he has none of my problems. Thanks for your patience and words.
Marty
<no worries... simply enjoy this tub with fantastic plants and algae..
perhaps a few snails or tadpole too. Best regards, Anthony>
Patio goldfish pond
Dear Mr. Robert, Will a fiberglass pond built to go inground, serve as well sitting on top of concrete floor?
<In general yes. Do make sure and "nest" the area underneath... support all the way about with old carpet, what have you... and take care (of course) to avoid stepping into it... Does your ground freeze in Winter? You will need to allow for expansion... Please read about fiberglass ponds on our site here: http://wetwebmedia.com/fibrglsconspnd.htm>
Have found one with one straight side that could go against brick wall and supported with large stones might be stable. Ft. Worth, Texas very hot in summer so keep umbrella over pond now.....problem has been finding above ground fish pond for patio holding at least 100 gallons.
<Go to the large "warehouse" hardware stores in your area, and ask the landscape/garden folks to show you what they can get you "special order"... there are a few pre-made units to check out... including ones made of sturdier polyethylene... In fact, do look into the fabulous containers made by RubberMaid (tm) here.>
AT this time I have 8 large goldfish doing well in cattle trough but would like something more decorative and where fish can be more easily viewed. Please advise. Thank you, Ginger
<Be chatting my friend. Bob Fenner>
outside fish
A while back I put a small- 15 gallon or so, rubbermaid container on my patio with some live plants in it. I just wanted to see if they would grow. Well they did!
<I'll say! Sometimes very much more so than in aquariums.>
Then to add to the experiment, I thought I would throw some fish in and I added 3 swordtails, 2 females, and 1 male. I wanted to first see if they would survive, then to see if they would breed. I rarely feed this "tank" as I am sure they get enough bugs, etc. from being outside. Well I recently noticed that sure enough, there are many babies scurrying across the water surface. Now I added food on a more regular basis to help them grow to adulthood, but here is my question, it has started to cool down and I wonder when I should bring them in for the winter. I live in TX so I wont freeze over at all, but it does get to around the low 40's F.
<Yes to moving this container into an area where there is more protection from daily fluctuations of temperature.>
What water temp is too low for them so I can bring them in?
<About fifty five F., but as I state, more important to avoid vacillations>
Do I bring in the plants too?
<Yes. Please read over this piece on container water gardens: http://wetwebmedia.com/contpndsart.htm
and our site (WetWebMedia.com) re aquarium gardening>
Any other advise would be appreciated!!! Thanks!! You are helping to save a new generation of swordtails in TX!!
<Share them with neighborhood children and relate your experiences. Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>
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