30G outdoor pond questions

[Chrisinator]

So, we've had this 30 gallon pond in our backyard for quite a while but I've never had the chance to actually start it up. It's approximately 30 gallons (maybe 40). It's 8 inches deep but I forget the other measurements. This would be either a summer pond. I live in NJ just to show weather wise.

Questions:
What type of equipment(filter?) and accesories (substrate?) do I need? This pond has a water feature of water drizzling from a rock formation to the water.

What type of fish should I get for it? I would probably need something small in size that I can put in around a 20G tank over the winter.

What type of plants should I get?

Do I need to do weekly water changes? (It's fine, but I'm just wondering if
I do)

When would I need to bring the fish back in?

Any other things you guys think about? THANKS! Again, this is my first pond so I might have some trial or errors

I'll probably have a bunch of questions again later.

[verbal]

You probably want to put some type of fish for mosquito control. The issue with the small pond size is that it will change temperature pretty quickly. You might be able to put one small goldfish in it. Or you could probably put a couple of paradise fish in it. Goldfish you have to bring in before the pond freezes. Paradise fish I would bring in if the temp gets down to 50 at night.

[Chrisinator]

Would some livebearers work?

[verbal]

Would some livebearers work?

Yeah they could work also.

I would start with one for the first week or two and max out at 3 or 4. You probably will end up with a pond full of them at the end. They are reasonably cold tolerant, but I would get them out when the temp drops much below 60.

[Chrisinator]

I was thinking of adding my swordtails in since I really don't want them in my big tank and then moving them into my 10G over the winter. How about the other questions?

[Chrisinator]

Anyone?

[Chrisinator]

(Bump)

[WeedCali]

sounds like a cool idea to me. ive always wanted to build a smaller sized pond.

[jpappy789]

sounds good but I probably wouldnt want to put swords in a 10g even if its only for a couple of months. A temp setup in a rubber maid container of sorts would be better since its cheap and you can get something bigger.

[Chrisinator]

sounds like a cool idea to me. ive always wanted to build a smaller sized pond.

Same here! I think the livebearers would be a good choice.


sounds good but I probably wouldnt want to put swords in a 10g even if its only for a couple of months. A temp setup in a rubber maid container of sorts would be better since its cheap and you can get something bigger.

That is true. I think it'll be easier to set-up something big temporarily. Hmm, I'm thining about maybe some swordtails and maybe guppies or mosquitofish.

[kENNY2_14]

Hey, I have mosquitofish and they are the most aggressive fish you can ever imagine. Think female guppy sized oscar. :eek:

I'm seriously contemplating drying mine out....

They kill and harass everything they live with [except the green sunfish who eats them]

[pbeemer]

Mosquito fish have 2 redeeming features -- they're tough and can tolerate a wide (and fast-changing) range of water conditions, and they're probably free from your county mosquito vector control department. If they're a local species they'll probably even be able to overwinter as long as the pond doesn't freeze over -- check with your county folks when you get them.

However, as mentioned above you can't have them in a tank with fish that aren't a lot bigger, because they are very aggressive.

[Chrisinator]

Hey, I have mosquitofish and they are the most aggressive fish you can ever imagine. Think female guppy sized oscar. :eek:

I'm seriously contemplating drying mine out....

They kill and harass everything they live with [except the green sunfish who eats them]

I thought they were pretty harmelss! YIKES TO THAT!


Mosquito fish have 2 redeeming features -- they're tough and can tolerate a wide (and fast-changing) range of water conditions, and they're probably free from your county mosquito vector control department. If they're a local species they'll probably even be able to overwinter as long as the pond doesn't freeze over -- check with your county folks when you get them.

However, as mentioned above you can't have them in a tank with fish that aren't a lot bigger, because they are very aggressive.

Thanks. I didn't know they were actually that aggresive. I'm thinking of maybe just doing one or two fancy goldfish and bringing them in over the winter so they don't die or possibly my swordtails. Still not sure on what to do. Any help with equipment would be greatly appreciated.

[davcheng]

You could use White Cloud Mountain Minnows. They have no problem with the lower temps, and generally do fine with the temp swings (90 degree day to sub 70 degree nights), at least in my experience. You may lose a couple, but they will most likely breed. Try to keep the pond in the shade so the temps don't swing too high, and have a lot of plants in the pond for filtration, and keep maybe 5 WCMM and you should be alright.

[Chrisinator]

The pond is in the shade and probably gets direct light in the morning but then not much in the afternoon. I'm thinking of putting some java moss and anacharis and growing them in the pond for the summer and bringing them in during the winter.