how big a pond needed?

[sheloudre]

We are looking into building a pond for all our goldfish come spring, we have the place, just need time to dig the hole now. How big a pond should we have/contemplate for 21-22 goldfish? Ideally i am guessing something like 1800g or so. Those 'in the know' please let me know, so we can figure out dimensions for it. Like i said, we have a place picked out, but aren't sure exactly how big gallons-wise we would need. Would - say a 10x10x3 pond be too small? Also, anyone know what is a good depth for them? Thoughts, suggestions would be welcome.

[hankn]

IMHO, 1800G is fine for 22 goldfish.

[bettagurl]

What kind of goldfish?

[Dangerdoll]

you could have it at 13'L x 16'W x 2.5'D but I would probably go 3'+ for depth

[Reddog80p]

Your in Canada. I'd definatley go for the 3' deep. It will help with pond freezing during the winter. Most hardy plants are simply clipped and sunk to the bottom of the pond where they can winter over safely. I would say 1800 sounds like a good size. Mines approx. 1500 I have 14 comets and 2 KOI and they do fine. Keep in mind that your liner size needs to be bigger than your finished pond size. For example a pond 10 x 10 with an average depth of 3 feet would be 2250 gallons and would need a liner bigger than that to make up for lost liner due to shelfs and overlap.

http://www.dripworksusa.com/ev_store/ev_pondkit.php#tiptop

[sheloudre]

This also makes a difference as the frost line is 4 feet down. A year-round pond would have to be over 4 feet deep so it wouldn't freeze over totally. Also, this would make a size difference with the liners. Any one know who makes the liners for this big a pond? Or is there something else we could use in place of it? 13x16 is a fair size pond, and 4 feet minimum deep? That's an incredible amount of digging to do. (guess we find a machine to use for it.)

Is there some site that does pond size = x gallons? Anyone know? We have a site in our yard that would be ok for a 13x16 pond but would need to work in the depth too.

Btw, we have 7 veiltail comets, 2 veiltail fantails, 9 regular fantails, and 4 regular comets. I was even considering making a divided pond - for comets vs. fantails. Thoughts, suggestions welcome. Would a smaller pond also suffice for this many fish? I mean, i want them to have enough room to grow, but NONE of them are larger than 4 inches right now. (Also want to be able to FIND them once in the pond.)

[NewObsession]

Yes you should go at least 4 ft down. The pond freezing over isn't what you need to worry about (well, it is, but that can be dealt with at the time a lot easier than deciding to go deeper later) It's the pond freezing solid to the bottom. Keep in mind the entire pond doesn't need to be 4 feet deep, but at least a trough down the center gives the fish somewhere to go in the winter as well as somewhere to go in the case of predators. As far as seeing them, you could always make one end ( or side , depending on where youare viewing from) Shallower, say 18- 24 inches deep. this not only gives you a shelf, but a shallower viewing area to see them when they come to feed etc

[sheloudre]

Never thought about just one area of the pond being deeper, was thinking the whole THING had to be deeper, but now that you mention it .....

Would most likely do a 2' wide trench rather than the whole bottom, since (1) easier to heat a narrower space, and (2) not QUITE as much digging required lol.
SO.... so far, the idea i have is a somewhat rectangular 8x10x2-3deep, with the middle having a 2' wide trough about 5' deep. Thoughts, suggestions?

[sheloudre]

Btw, the pond we build will only be housing about 12 goldfish. Hubby just informed me that 6-7 of the fish will be going somewhere else, come spring. Just need to house them for the winter.

[angelsun]

Another option besides a trench is doing just a round or oval section deeper. I would suggest having at least a section of your pond 4'.

Those fancies need to come in for the winter and you'll be amazed at how FAST they will grow outside over the summer.

Here's a pond liner calculator--
http://www.justliners.com/prodspec.htm

Check Ebay for liners. Sometimes they go for around half price over the winter. So, that's a great time to buy pond supplies and lay back for pond digging in the Spring. Be sure and check the thickness and the guarantee on them. Probably would want to go at least 30mil on the size that you mentioned.

[Reddog80p]

I've never kept fancies outside you may want to research this. My comets do fine, but they are tough as nails!