Outdoor tubs

[eroomlorac]

I have two outdoor tubs. One 20 gallon and one 40 gallon. In the 20 gallon tub I have about 7 White Clouds and 5 Rosy Reds. I am waiting for arrival of some Gambusia from Coral Keeper to put in my 40 gallon. The 40 gallon tub also has a breeding group of trapdoor snails and common pond snails. Both tubs have hornwort and anacharis in it and the 40 gallon tub has water hyacinth floating in it and the smaller tub has some water lettuce floating. Here are my questions. I am doing partial water changes in these tubs every week or so as if they were indoor aquariums. But now that the weather is getting warmer, I am worried about when I add the new water in. I fill it from the yard hose and the water will soon be so much colder than the water I am draining out. How do I do this without shocking or killing my fish? Also, is it harmful for hornwort to be pushed into pots of gravel as if it were a rooting waterplant. From what I read here, most people leave it floating but I don't want it floating because it'll interfere with the water lettuce and water hyacinths. But I want some bushy plants in the tub in case there are any baby fish born. I know hornwort is pretty indestructible but is it okay shoved into pots of gravel? Also, is it okay if I put some ramshorn snails in these outdoor tubs? Thanks for any advice you all can give me. I appreciate it.

[derekp]

Just fill up a bucket in the tub of your house if your worried about temperature. It shouldnt take that long with a 5 gallon bucket. Yes, hornwort can be planted, it doesnt affect it at all. The ramshorns should be fine, they will probably breed like rabbits in there as well.

[msjinkzd]

i agree, the ramshorns and hornwort will be fine. I would suggest letting the water sit in a bucket in the sun to try and match temp as close as possible. If you are super concerned you could do smaller wc's more frequently so that you are not changing the overall temp as much.

[eroomlorac]

Thanks. Good suggestions.

[DAVIDFBT]

The way I change water for ponds is to get a big container outside and fill it with water about 3 days prior to a water change, so the temperature equalizes and the chlorine evaporates. Then, when it come to a water change day, take a bucket and start loading water to the pond. Of course, this is only practical to ponds under 200 gallons, even more if you get someone to help you.

[cam191919]

what kind of gambusia?

[dixienut]

leave your hose out in the sun turned on to fill with water and a sprayer attached then turn off and sun heats it ,.. but watch it will get kinda hot fast..almost too hot so don't leave it too long

[derekp]

I have done the same thing as David said, Im not sure why I didnt think about it. I have used a storage bin to do that with. It was one of those big 45 or 50 gallon gray things that you can get at walmart or target. It was pretty useful.

[eroomlorac]

what kind of gambusia?

Gambusia affinis

[Desertponder]

You might try doing y our water changes in the early morning. The tubs will be cooler from overnight temps.

[eroomlorac]

Desertponder, that is exactly what I did today. I work midnight shift and I did water changes when I first got home from work. Everything was fine doing it that way. Anyway, today I got my 7 Gambusia from Coral Keeper. I was so excited to finally get my mosquito fish as I have been searching for about a month now. I acclimated them to my 40 gallon tub and let them loose. Off they swam into a forest of hornwort and water hyacinth roots. I stared into the tub for a while hoping to get a glimpse of them again. Sure enough, out darts one of the males in hot pursuit of a twitching mosquito larvae. I also have a 20 gallon tub I set up a couple weeks after the 40 gallon tub. In the 20 gallon I have water hyacinth, hornwort, anacharis, java moss, a marimo moss ball and about 7 white clouds and 5 rosy reds. I am having so much fun with my outdoor tub mini ponds. Thanks, Coral Keeper!!!

[msjinkzd]

WOOT! congrats!!

[Reddog80p]

I doubt the water change temp will affect anything, in a tub that small I would imagine the temps fluctuate quite a bit, just dechlor.

[theotheragentm]

I have a 100 gallon barrel that I have goldfish. On the larger one, if you're not replacing more than half of the water, it won't matter to them, especially when you use a hose. The water pressure will mix things up pretty well. The temperature drop will be like a rain.

[eroomlorac]

Thanks for that info, theotheragentm. I'll keep that in mind.

[flyfly]

I have a 100 gallon barrel that I have goldfish. On the larger one, if you're not replacing more than half of the water, it won't matter to them, especially when you use a hose. The water pressure will mix things up pretty well. The temperature drop will be like a rain.

agreed. a good rain drops the temp in my 70g container pond anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees. this is with heavy plant cover.

[Moesmom]

How about pictures of these tubs? I would love to do a deck pond but need ideas.