Tropical Pond?

[captmicha]

I think I'm getting a pond. It's a 825 gallon pond liner. Is it possible to make a tropical pond in Mid-Atlantic USA? The coldest we get is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Do they even make heaters that would keep it warm enough? How much do you think it would cost to keep it warm enough for tropical Amazon fish?

Or maybe I'll just put in a native gar or even big mouthed bass, since they like calm, slow water.

[rithunder916]

well if you get creative, say solar heating, it shouldnt cost you to much.. just the initial cost of setting up a solar heater.

[The Zigman]

could use a pool heater, spa heater... or custom Fabricate something out of a BBQ Grill...

http://www.redneckpoolheater.com/more/index.html

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/134172542_d4a922755f.jpg?v=0

[JoeLaX28]

Someone else here did this, although I'm not sure if they still use it for tropical fish. I'll see if I can find the thread.

Bass would be a bad idea as they like deep, cool water.

[JoeLaX28]

Here it is:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98527

[captmicha]

Lol. Redneck pool heater. I like that.

I read that big mouth bass like shallow, slow water. Like the kind around aquatic plants.

Solar wouldn't work. We have solar lights to keep our driveway lit and they never work. And it's not the lights, because we've bought several kinds. It just isn't sunny enough here in the winter to make it work.

[JoeLaX28]

I read that big mouth bass like shallow, slow water. Like the kind around aquatic plants.

I wont argue. I thought I remembered hearing they like cool, deep water but I could be wrong. Either way I can't wait to see what your going to do. I always wanted a pond of Sunnys and Bluegills.

[me_wee_todded]

The gar might be a bad idea, in my experience, they are only cold hardy to a little over 50 degrees.
I live in west texas and are winter are fairly mild compared to yours, and the gar in my pond were incredibly stressed last year and the water was 53

[park83]

I think I'm getting a pond. It's a 825 gallon pond liner. Is it possible to make a tropical pond in Mid-Atlantic USA? The coldest we get is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Do they even make heaters that would keep it warm enough? How much do you think it would cost to keep it warm enough for tropical Amazon fish?

Or maybe I'll just put in a native gar or even big mouthed bass, since they like calm, slow water.


Pumpkinseed and other types of sunfish look pretty cool in a pond.

[captmicha]

The Longnose Gar is native to where I live. I wouldn't plan on trying a fish from a warmer area in unheated water.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/longnose_gar.asp

[Chrisinator]

It would be pretty cool if you had a tropical pond. Maybe you can seal the top during the winter with like see through plastic that can conduct hear so snow can't get into the pond and heat it with multiple heaters like the ones in the aquariums. No sure, just pitching in ideas.

[lousybreed]

I am the guy with the tropical pond.... Or had it should I say.... I had to move and my new place just doesnt have room for my pond. I live near San Jose CA and it was still tough for a tropical fish pond with my orginal design. I had barbs and weather loaches and some white clouds in there. My fish never spawned except the swordtails and I only recovered like 3 babies. My pond temps only got up to 73F during the summer because the pond only got like 5-6 hours of sunlight. If I were to do it again I would make a solar water heater out of black hose (the stuff they use for irrigation, you can find it at lowes or home depot). If I would have done that, I would have had a pond that was about 78-82 degrees for almost 5 months.....instead of one that hung around 70-73 for 5 months. My suggestion is if you want to do it you should have no problem but they cant stay out there all year......Unless you wanna waste $500/mo on heating the thing!

[cam191919]

the best tropical pond iv seen was made from an indoor pool. stingrays and eveything

[evelyn80]

at an lfs i saw a 1000 gallon tropical pond that had 2 lima shovel noses, red tailed catfish, 3 oscars and 8 sailfin/ common plecos and a red belly pacu! it was really cool! it was indoors and i believe they used a hot water tank and set it low for there tempature control.

[lousybreed]

Someone else here did this, although I'm not sure if they still use it for tropical fish. I'll see if I can find the thread.

Bass would be a bad idea as they like deep, cool water.

As an avid bass fisherman I must disagree/agree with both sides of this argument. Largemouth bass live all the way from southern mexico to north of the canadian border. So to charecterise the bass is very tough. Research has concluded that the optimum temperature for bass growth and longevity is exactly 72 degrees. They can take temperatures from 32F to 95F. The best bass habitat in a pond would be some lilies on top for shade and 30% of the pond should have submersed plants. You would basically feed them everything from pellets (must be trained to take them), worms, fish, frogs, ect....If you got a pair of bass watching them spawn would be awesome. They make cichlid fry care seem wimpy. They will protect their babies from everything. I have even seen bass nibble at peoples feet that got too close to their spawing bed!

[captmicha]

the best tropical pond iv seen was made from an indoor pool. stingrays and eveythingThat is my utter dream set-up! Ever since seeing Ace Ventura Pet Detective when I was a kid, I've always wanted an indoor pool with sharks and stuff! I'm planning on building one right after I win the lottery and move into my mansion. :rofl:

So to charecterise the bass is very tough. Research has concluded that the optimum temperature for bass growth and longevity is exactly 72 degrees.

There's a reservoir near my house that gets super warm, warmer than my swimming pool (parents r too cheap to use the heater). I've seen the males in the shallows guarding their eggs. I know that they hunt in the shallows during morning and evening but retreat to cooler, deeper water in the midday. At least here in MD they do. If my pool, which is in part shade, stays around 72ish with brief excursions to 80is, I think putting my pond in the shade might keep it cool enough for large mouth bass.

But if I kept large mouthed bass, would I be able to keep anything else in it? Or if I had longnosed gar, would I be able to keep anything else in it??

[Deanthoreu]

Might go to Harborfreight and pick up there 4x6 foot green house for 350 dollars.
that is how i am going to keep the pond we are building warm in the winter.
also with a couple heaters but it will reduce the costs substantially to keep it heated. we are going 3 feet at the deepest section doing a Step design since fish like the levels

[captmicha]

That sounds awesome. I'd like to hear updates on how it goes.