Newbie General Questions

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Jennifer

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Apr 8, 2004
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Hello all!

I have been a FW/SW hobbyist for a few years, but have never ventured into the outdoor realm. 3 kids, less room, and many empty tanks later, I've decided to add a pond to my small backyard.

I have only one spot to place a pond which is right next to my patio and measures 7.5' X 5.5'. This is on the NE corner of my house (full sun for 4-7hrs at least) and under the end branches of a HUGE oak's canopy. *sigh* ... leaf litter - no shade. My pond and it's accessories will have to fit this area.

I was hoping that you could recommend some starting places for me. I know when I had my FW tanks, we always had "Bibles' we suggested to NEWBIES. Are there pond versions? I prefer books to the internet until I know a bit more.

Also, are there any little secrets to ponding that you could share? I recall in SW we had as much success w/a sand from Home Depot which cost MUCH less than that of the LFS. With FW, Wal-Mart had a brand of aquarium that was similar to the Marineland Eclipse which was recommended when finances were tight. Are here any such secrets to ponding as well?

I'm pretty certain I'm going w/a prefab form due to the small area. I've seen a few kits at Wal-Mart for $70+ and a local independant landscaper will have a 60g form/500 pump for $63 after a pond seminar on 04/20. I also have access to Home Depot and Lowes as well as independant hardware stores, too. I appreciate any tidbits you have to offer.

Thanks so much for your time!

Jennifer in South Jersey
 
Hey, and welcome!

I have almost exactly the same space you do. I went to Home Depot and Lowes and checked a bunch of pet stores. In the end , I liked the value of WalMarts $79 kit. Preform pond, preform waterfall, 600gph pump, two fountain types and a spitting frog! I put it in last week and it looks great, I love it. I planted some medium size plants around for shade. I am new to this as welll and I keep SW/FW. I find the best advice is on these forums. Enjoy!
 
what size/gallon, pond do you plan on getting.
 
Originally posted by some_guy
what size/gallon, pond do you plan on getting.
Click to expand...

I plan on getting the largest form possible - allowing some room for side plantings, rocks, spitter, and anything else required (filter??) Thanks! Jennifer
 
Originally posted by crabbyjack
. In the end , I liked the value of WalMarts $79 kit. Preform pond, preform waterfall, 600gph pump, two fountain types and a spitting frog!
Click to expand...

Hi, crabbyjack! I didn't see such a set at my local Wally. Could you tell me what size the preform is, please? Thanks! Jennifer
 
With limited space, sometimes preforms aren't the best way to go. Even with some plants and such you could have a good size pond. Maybe even something like 5 x 4, which if you went two feet deep, would give you something like 300 gallons. This is a good pond resource:

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/

There are not a lot of differences than indoor, but to have plants on the top. You will want to feed less depending on the fish.

Feel free to ask any questions. Try to rope your pond off first in the yard and then see what you have, marking a place for plants and rocks or whatever else you want.
 
Sure, it is about 5' long and at it's widest point 42" wide. It is 18" deep and is wide on one end and skinny on the other. The wide end has two plant shelves. The listed volume is 90 gal. Also, if you have a costco near you they have a very similar set, but it was a little too wide for the space I have. I wish I could post a picture, but it doesn't seem to work.
If youre e-mail is listed I will try to send it to you.
 
i got a 500g that i gotta put the linning in tomorrow, mine is a little giant, its really nice, you can get a kit or just a liner, try going to www.littlegiants.com , look at some stuff there.
 
I'll a question to this thread rather than start a new one.

I just inherited a pond with the home I purchased. I've been keeping fish for many years, but never had a pond. The pond is small preform about 4'x3' and 18" deep.

Some questions that I have:

Do I need a substrate?

Do I need to run the water fountain 24/7?

Recommendation for beginner plants?fish?
 
Originally posted by Rook Bartley
I'll a question to this thread rather than start a new one.
... .....Some questions that I have:

Do I need a substrate?

Do I need to run the water fountain 24/7?

Recommendation for beginner plants?fish?
Click to expand...

You don't need a substate.
The filter needs to be runnig 24/7.
"Feeder" Goldfish worked well for us, in fact they grew into huge nice looking Goldfish....

Plants can depend on your location -- freezing weather (Winters) as to sub-tropical climate..
 
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