View Full Version : Min pond size for 10 goldfish?
I have a friend that has I think 8 goldfish.I text asking how many, she hasn't text back yet. She knows I keep aquariums and offered them to me so they can be properly taken care of. I was thinking about building a pond and taking her fish off her hands for her. What is the min pond size for about 10 goldfish. I am assuming they are feeders, but am not sure.
Dangerdoll
05-12-2007, 9:16 AM
comfortably and with regular maintenance, probably 500 to 1000 gallons and that is if they are regular comets. If they are koi, you may want to go even larger to have the pond be successful. Since you haven't built it yet, I would go for as big as you can possibly go.
I know they aren't koi.
This is out of my sears mag. Do I need the plastic shell thing and the liner? The liner kit is cheaper. For 200 I can get 700g. Would just buying k be ok.
http://i7.tinypic.com/4tpxet2.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/4uonk7c.jpg
frasertheking
05-12-2007, 12:33 PM
i got 12 goldfish and 2 rudd in a 200 gallon preform
and the water prams are great:dance2:
Jessu
05-13-2007, 12:09 PM
i got 12 goldfish and 2 rudd in a 200 gallon preform
and the water prams are great:dance2:
I big are they? That dosent seem enough for 12 full grown gold fish. Are they fancy goldfish?
Hi Jessu,
Do you know exactly what kind of goldfish you are going to take (feeders, Comets, etc.)? What area do you live? Do you get snow and freezes? Do you have to worry about mosquito ordinances? I don't have the real estate to dig up a large pond, so I built my own raised pond (see pic). On thing you will need to consider, is that you may need to order a liner a little larger than your planned pond size, as you may need to tuck and cut away.
Mr. U
http://www.calpoly.edu/~auvalle/images/Pond.jpg
legendaryfrog
05-13-2007, 1:26 PM
Don't bother getting a preformed pond. IMO, they're overpriced. If you're looking for a great deal, try buying a cheap pool. Heres a 2500g pool I found at wal-mart.com
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693282
Im not exactly sure if its fish safe, but I'm pretty sure it is.
Just don't use the filter that came with it.
Umm, I wouldn't recomend those above ground pools for a couple things.
1- I avoid anything new that has not been thoroughly rinsed out. I only use old water hoses to use on my ponds. It would be difficult to rinse that pond out to ensure it is "fish Safe".
2- You will need to have the pond deep enough into the ground to for the fish to avoid the freeze zone. Above ground/raised ponds won't do this. But this also depends on where you live :).
Mr. U
Don't bother getting a preformed pond. IMO, they're overpriced. If you're looking for a great deal, try buying a cheap pool. Heres a 2500g pool I found at wal-mart.com
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693282
Im not exactly sure if its fish safe, but I'm pretty sure it is.
Just don't use the filter that came with it.
The warranty on that pool is 1 year:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod_info.gsp?product_id=5693282&cat=110274&type=5&dept=4171&path=0%3A4171%3A14521%3A132873%3A110274
In general, these pools last 2-4 years before heat and cold and storms take their toll and they start breaking apart. I would think you would want a longer term solution for your fish.
Dangerdoll
05-13-2007, 2:31 PM
I wouldn't go with the preformed either which is why I suggested such a high volume of water. IMO, the more the better. If you simply dig the pond out, you can get the rubberized pond liner and there you go. I would think it's cheaper too. You can line the dirt with cement before you put the liner on but it's up to you, we didn't do it and things are just fine with it. You can add different levels and everything, do it the way you want as opposed to digging exacly how the preformed goes. Plus, I believe if the preformed isn't fit tight, you can be susceptible to cracks over the winter and ultimately you'd need to replace it. I dunno, it might work great for some folks but I wouldn't go the preformed route.
legendaryfrog
05-13-2007, 3:53 PM
Im not sure jessu, but I remember reading somewhere you were in California?
Reddog80p
05-13-2007, 9:01 PM
If you want the most size for your money go with a 45 mil epmd rubber liner, you can buy them for pretty cheap, most home depots offer them on a roll. Cut to a specific size. You can also buy them there from companys like Beckett or whatever the store carries. The liners are fish safe and gaurenteed for 20 years. Dig yourself a hole, and line it with pool sand or old carpet. I would buy a pond book, or magazine and research it. You will also want some sort of bio-filter, they come in both in pond or external models. For a 1,000 gallon pond you won't need much more than a pump rated for 1,000 gallon pond ,bio filter,and the liner itself. Not very expensive at all. It's the fish and plants that cost you LoL. It is very addictive as is any type of fish keeping.
I'm not sure at the moment what type of goldfish they are. I will be seeing her tomorrow and will ask then. I live in Pennsylvania so I get snow and it will probably freeze..the birdbaths do. Mosquito ordinances? Land isn't a prob. I have an acer to two to use.
Don't bother getting a preformed pond. IMO, they're overpriced. If you're looking for a great deal, try buying a cheap pool. Heres a 2500g pool I found at wal-mart.com
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693282
Im not exactly sure if its fish safe, but I'm pretty sure it is.
Just don't use the filter that came with it.
I don't really like to look of the swimming pool pond.
Im not sure jessu, but I remember reading somewhere you were in California?
I wish. maybe some day.
If you want the most size for your money go with a 45 mil epmd rubber liner, you can buy them for pretty cheap, most home depots offer them on a roll. Cut to a specific size. You can also buy them there from companys like Beckett or whatever the store carries. The liners are fish safe and gaurenteed for 20 years. Dig yourself a hole, and line it with pool sand or old carpet. I would buy a pond book, or magazine and research it. You will also want some sort of bio-filter, they come in both in pond or external models. For a 1,000 gallon pond you won't need much more than a pump rated for 1,000 gallon pond ,bio filter,and the liner itself. Not very expensive at all. It's the fish and plants that cost you LoL. It is very addictive as is any type of fish keeping.
That sounds good. What size liner should I get for 500g? How deep should the pond be so it doesn't completely freeze. 4ft? Will it freeze over with a heater?
Hows this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Firestone-PondGard-EPDM-45M-Pond-Liner-10x10-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ190100986696QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50365QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Hows this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Firestone-PondGard-EPDM-45M-Pond-Liner-10x10-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ190100986696QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50365QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The liner must be UV resistant, otherwise over time in the sun it will break apart (dry out, etc.) For example Tetra has:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/tubing-liner-drains/502152/xavan-pond-liner.html
It very well may be that Firestone PondGard's are UV-resistant, but then the ebay seller should have put that in there.
The liner must be UV resistant, otherwise over time in the sun it will break apart (dry out, etc.) For example Tetra has:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/tubing-liner-drains/502152/xavan-pond-liner.html
It very well may be that Firestone PondGard's are UV-resistant, but then the ebay seller should have put that in there.
I will ask the seller.
Jessu
05-13-2007, 10:08 PM
I google it. It is UV resistant.
Tesla_HV
05-14-2007, 8:14 AM
I had about eight comets in a 200 gallon pond. This many comets in such a small volume meant that I had to keep on top of the pond nitrogen cycle. It can be done but you have to test often for ammonia and nitrites.
Jessu
05-14-2007, 10:50 AM
Hows this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Firestone-PondGard-EPDM-45M-Pond-Liner-10x10-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ190100986696QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50365QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Would this be a good size for about 8 regular goldfish?
Reddog80p
05-14-2007, 4:08 PM
You'll want a bigger liner if you want a pond thats 4 ft deep. I'm in northern Illinois, My weather gets to -20 in the winter. My pond is 2 1/2 feet deep at the deepest part. A floating heater keeps mine from freezing over in the winter. All you need is a hole kept open in the ice to allow for gas exchange. You could also build a cover for the pond for winter like an A-frame style to keep to snow out of the pond.
Here is a liner sizing tool....
http://www.pondliners.com/liner-sizing.html
Should it be 4ft deep? I would prob get a heater. Do you still need to make a hole with a heater?
I don't know how many gallons 8 goldfish would need?
Reddog80p
05-14-2007, 5:04 PM
Should it be 4ft deep? I would prob get a heater. Do you still need to make a hole with a heater?
I don't know how many gallons 8 goldfish would need?
I would'nt say it would have to be 4ft. deep but many people recommend that. The bigger the pond the more stable it will be just like an aquarium. I would say the size would depend on the size of the 8 gold fish. When I first put my comets in they were feeder size. I have 15 comets and 2 koi in my ponds now. The ponds are 8'x 12' and 2 1/2 feet deep
I want one that would support them for life.
I tried using that calculator thing
length- 7
with- 6
max depth- 4
average- 2
volume- 1260g
liner size-18ft x 19
If I make it like that^. This liner would be ok?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320113465048
Reddog80p
05-14-2007, 5:18 PM
thats pretty big dip in the hole from 2' avergae to 4' max. in a smaller size pond. I would just got 3 feet all the way around. you'll want shelves for marginal plants.
http://www.abcponds.com/ponds-information/goldfish-ponds.htm
How bout this
lenght- 9
with- 8
max depth- 3
average- 3
volume- 1620
liner size-18ft x 19
...Im reading the stuff on that site.
shelves for marginal plants?
Reddog80p
05-14-2007, 5:26 PM
you plan on having plants in your pond right?
http://www.tetrapond.com/pond/buildpond.aspx
Reddog80p
05-14-2007, 5:33 PM
Yep. I want plants.
Cool check this out just fro reference.
http://www.tetrapond.com/downloads/pond/TetraPondConstruct.pdf
you plan on having plants in your pond right?
http://www.tetrapond.com/pond/buildpond.aspx
Im on 2 Excavation. Tires? Dose it mean dig a ledge into the side to put plants and stones.
Dont know what tires means but but on step 5 it shows a pic of the shelf.
So if I dig a hole with the length of 9ft with- 8ft, max depth- 3,ft average- 3ft The liner size should be -18ft x 19. Is that right.
Corvina
05-19-2007, 6:13 PM
Don't bother getting a preformed pond. IMO, they're overpriced. If you're looking for a great deal, try buying a cheap pool. Heres a 2500g pool I found at wal-mart.com
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693282
Im not exactly sure if its fish safe, but I'm pretty sure it is.
Just don't use the filter that came with it.
I would not consider using a 'cheap pool' for any fish. They are not made for fish and it will not last long.
I agree with DangerDoll on this.
So if I dig a hole with the length of 9ft with- 8ft, depth- 3,ft, The liner size should be -18ft x 19. Is that right?
?