Setting up my first pond

[Rare Cichlids]

Well I have the hole dug, and the liner is coming tomarrow. A 15' x 20'er. The plan is to stock the pond with Central American cichlids and let them grow like wild until the end of the summer, then I'll take them out of the pond, into my tanks and the LFS's.

My main question is about stocking levels. The pond is around 10' x 15' and 3' deep (If that doesn't match up the the liner size, its because I really can't remember the actual size of the pond right now, not because I bought a wrong size liner). Its not filtered, although there is a small stream that runs through it 40% of the time. The species that will be stocked into the pond will be approx 3-4" at the time of stocking, and may reach 8-9" by the time they are taken out. How many should I try for? 20?

Sorry for this being written so badly, but I'm very sleepy and not thinking straight :o

[ChilDawg]

You might be able to fit a few more in there, Rex, but aggression levels of your fish would be my main concern. Which ones are these?

[Rare Cichlids]

I'm not concerned with aggression in the least. American cichlids tend to mellow out dramitically when in tanks over 300g (and this is what, 2000g or something). In the wild, many of the most aggressive species are actaully found in loose shoals (Citrinellus).

I will probably stock several Red Devils, Maculicauda, Carapinte, Salvinni etc. Mostly just fish that are easily obtainable at my LFS, with the exception of some extra, wild Tomocichla tuba, and F1 Vieja zonatum .

[Rare Cichlids]

No more comments? The pond liner is in and already filled with run of from the mountains.

[ChilDawg]

I think it sounds pretty good, Rex...I don't have any other suggestions...my concern about the aggression has been mitigated, so I say go for it! :)

[brianfl]

I had heard that in an outdoor pond, aggression is reduced signifantly. I think they have much more things to think about like birds, etc. I am going to do one this summer or fall. Fortunately, with a little heat, I should be able to have a year around tropical pond down here in South Florida. I plan on stocking some large cats, some balas, and I haven't decided on the rest, am thinking of some tinfoils.

[Rare Cichlids]

Thanks for the replies. I'm currently waiting for the pond to heat up a bit (cold rain water) before I add any fish. Especially since the first residents will be the Wild Tuba, which I could sell for $75 each, if I wasn't going to keep them outside.

[aquariaddictus]

I don't know if this is a concern where you are, but I've lost an entire pond population to a great heron that flies by every morning (0800 sharp). This was last year. The bird wasn't picky - it took two good-sized plecos as well as my koi. Just an FYI.
judy

[optix]

Originally posted by aquariaddictus
I don't know if this is a concern where you are, but I've lost an entire pond population to a great heron that flies by every morning (0800 sharp). This was last year. The bird wasn't picky - it took two good-sized plecos as well as my koi. Just an FYI.
judy


I'd be passing out some bird jerky to the neighbors by 9 am sharp.

[ChilDawg]

The day after you caught the heron? Jerky takes longer to make than that. A protective screen might not hurt, Rex.

[optix]

haha I guess I'd have to come up with something better than jerky then :p I'd be getting that bird out of the sky none the less, if not scaring it from ever coming back

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by ChilDawg
.... A protective screen might not hurt, Rex. And/or a dog. :D

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1510346/26122295.jpg

The antlers are just a disguise so she looks more like a deer to sneek up on those pesky birds! :)

[Rare Cichlids]

Thanks for the warnings. But I'm not too worried about Herons. They don't pass over this particular area very often, and when they do I'm sure they'll go for one of their usual large ponds instead. And the 3 dogs won't allow a Heron near the pond I'm sure. If I start having any problems I'll get a screen, but not right away. I just wish it would warm up. Its unusually cold right now. Thanks.