So, I am reading up on threads about ponds here, but also want to ask some questions about how to build a pond that can hold fish year-round in PA. Philly area more specifically.
So, this is what I "know" (feel free to do a true/false reply to this section):
1) In order to be year round stocked, it should be over 2ft deep.
2) For coldwater fish you don't feed them in the winter as they go dormant.
3) You turn off filters and such in the winter. (not sure on this, just seems logical)
4) You do not break the ice, you either cut through it or melt through it.
That sums up what I know about ponds lol. So, any and all advice is welcome, and here are my specific questions:
1) What kind of liner can take zub-zero temps and 90+ temps in the course of a year?
2) How would we prevent the pond from getting mud in it when it rains?
3) How do you make a pond on a hill that is about 5 degrees or so?
4) What is the smallest pond you can have for goldfish? Koi? Sunfish?
5) How much filtration do you need on a goldfish/koi/sunfish pond?
6) What is the best way to cheaply keep electrical wires dry outside?
7) What is a good way to hide ugly electrical wires and pond equipment?
8) Do I need a fountain/waterfall to aerate the water, or am I good with just a filter?
9) How deep do I actually need to make it for my area (Philadelphia area)?
10) How expensive do you think this will be?
The story behind this is that my mom's girlfriend wants to help install a proper, year-round pond with filters and such in our back yard. Currently I just have a tiny water-garden of sorts, with 3 guppies in it during the summer, it freezes solid in the winter (so I take the guppies out and have a small tank for them). It's about 15 gallons total. I'm fine keeping it the way it is, but even I admit it's not the most beautiful thing in the world lol. So yea, I don't really want a big pond, but this is for the planning of such a pond. Try to convince my mother and her girlfriend out of it for me, will you?
So, this is what I "know" (feel free to do a true/false reply to this section):
1) In order to be year round stocked, it should be over 2ft deep.
2) For coldwater fish you don't feed them in the winter as they go dormant.
3) You turn off filters and such in the winter. (not sure on this, just seems logical)
4) You do not break the ice, you either cut through it or melt through it.
That sums up what I know about ponds lol. So, any and all advice is welcome, and here are my specific questions:
1) What kind of liner can take zub-zero temps and 90+ temps in the course of a year?
2) How would we prevent the pond from getting mud in it when it rains?
3) How do you make a pond on a hill that is about 5 degrees or so?
4) What is the smallest pond you can have for goldfish? Koi? Sunfish?
5) How much filtration do you need on a goldfish/koi/sunfish pond?
6) What is the best way to cheaply keep electrical wires dry outside?
7) What is a good way to hide ugly electrical wires and pond equipment?
8) Do I need a fountain/waterfall to aerate the water, or am I good with just a filter?
9) How deep do I actually need to make it for my area (Philadelphia area)?
10) How expensive do you think this will be?
The story behind this is that my mom's girlfriend wants to help install a proper, year-round pond with filters and such in our back yard. Currently I just have a tiny water-garden of sorts, with 3 guppies in it during the summer, it freezes solid in the winter (so I take the guppies out and have a small tank for them). It's about 15 gallons total. I'm fine keeping it the way it is, but even I admit it's not the most beautiful thing in the world lol. So yea, I don't really want a big pond, but this is for the planning of such a pond. Try to convince my mother and her girlfriend out of it for me, will you?
