need help with 300 gallon goldfish pond

[Lupin]

i thnik that i might just buy a filter or should i do a diy? whats cheaper? and for the winter situation im going to buy a pond heater to keep it ice free. as soon as i find it ill post it.

Have you planned yet how you're going to make a DIY filtration system? I don't know about your budget but I find the overhead filtration system quite affordable in my experience and still is very efficient but it can be unsightly if you don't want it clashing with the looks of your seemingly natural pond. You could build something similar to this. The rectangular box can be replaced with large drums connected to powerful submersible pumps and tubes/pipes.
http://www.fishtankforums.com/frontpage/index.php?p=vB10974

Using heaters might be costly to the electric bill due to the constant changes in temperature during the winter. Can you not just winter your fish temporarily?

 

[Sawyer]

I'd make it deeper than that. 1.5 isn't much, especially to a large common goldfish.. I'm going to be making a pond about that size, but it'll be 5 feet deep at least (for heat reasons, doesn't hardly get cold here)

 

[kyryah]

Yes, I agree, you need something that has a deep spot in the middle or your fish are going to cook in the summer and freeze solid in the winter. Something like this

The depth in the middle helps to regulate temperature.

Kristina

 

[Zebulon]

In Iowa it consistantly gets below zero every winter at least for a few days. My friends back home with ponds have all hand dug with sheet liners, and shoot for 5 feet on the deep end. They run bubblers in the winter to keep ice broke up in a couple spots, but heating the pond is simply not an option.

In the fall you'll want to choose out your favorite fish to slowly acclimate for indoor keeping because survival rates can be hit and miss over the whole winter. The deeper the better but a few years ago it got so cold my buddy lost all but a few fish. The summer does get warm, over 100 degrees regularly, but be sure to place the pond in the shade and summer losses will be very minimal.

As to shotgunning the wildlife for being hungry, well that's sorta messed up. If you make a pond outside you are opening it to nature. Bugs will lay eggs in it, frogs will come live in it, birds will wade in it and yes predators will want a piece too. To them it's just a waterhole with food in it. If you want a sterilized, human controlled pond then you'd be better off putting a pool in your garage, insulating and heating it and going that route.

 

[gar man]

well i cant make it any bigger becas=ue its a pond kit thing i got for $5 and mabye i will be able to get a tank indoors but idk if my mom will permit it.

 

[rocker92]

i know, i live farther north than you :lipssealedsmilie: and i read it wrong, i thought you had an indoor fish tank...

 

[gar man]

huh? lol