container pond?

[Temo]

i have this huge blue bucket(about 40 gal)
and i wan to have a little pond.
i have some lotus,and i dont wantto get the water all dirty,so how could i do this .
and any ideas of aquarium plants that i should put in?and y my goldfish keep dieing when ever i put a new one in

[spirals]

Does the pond have some sort of filter system? In a 40G I imagine the only way to keep the water clean would be to have a really good filter and do regular water changes (similar to a 40G indoor tank).
Did you cycle the pond? If the pond was not cycled and there is no filter that would be why the goldfish are dying. Check the water params.

[Temo]

cyled no filter

[wataugachicken]

it can't be cycled if it doesn't have a filter. it could also be too hot for goldfish if it is outside in the sun.

[Temo]

yeah.so what fish should i put in?

[bettagurl]

is it in the shade/part shade? if so, and you get a filter, rosey red minnows or mosquito fish are a good choice IMO. ;)

[spirals]

without a filter i really can't think of any fish which would survive in there. too warm for goldies, would fluctuate too much for tropicals (i'm assuming). maybe get a filter and then some tropicals.

[jtburf]

you NEED A FILLTER. or just a pump with a pre filter would work and about 3-5 inches of gravel in the bottom. and then you con put other things like turtles, or a bichir, if the pond is sheltered.

[Mgamer20o0]

moss.... even with just plants you would want water movement.

[janetdc1]

hey guys,
I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share with you that I have done small pond and container gardening for 5 years with great success and thriving goldfish- and no filter! The oldest pond is 5 years old this year. Lily pads and cattails, plus arrowhead help keep things cool -and I add fresh water every other day(every day if it's really hot-like today)
the goldfish(comets) eat the detritus worms, and algae, so I only put food in there about once a week. The water is crystal clear ! I have some little mosquito fish in there too- they have babies but the comets eat many of them- all part of the natural cycle-
I have to bring the fish in to winter over because the pond is only 40 gallons and freezes over- plus I enjoy their presence in the home during the winter months.
Just wanted to share that it can be done with the right balance and no filter.
This year the fish have grown quite a bit and I will have them in many tanks throughout the house- am thinking of enlarging the pond next year!
Janet

[syddakyd]

you dont technically need a filter with ponds. make them with a large surface area, deep, and load up wiith plants. then stock with low bioload. if you do it naturally you are good to go. freshwater clams /mussles eat up the green water and plants outcompete it. i speak from experience not some book-read crap

[Reddog80p]

I have seen it be done(filterless). Keeping alot of plants helps, If you dont have plants or water movement, it will become stagnant and a mosquito breeding area.