self sustaining ecosystem log

[j_chicago]

There is woman who is all about her self sustained systems. Forget her name, Linda or Wanda something, she's written a book about it, but can't seem to find it. Thought it was on an old thread at plantgeek but couldn't find that either....

 

[Mgamer20o0]

plants need the minerals. being in cali you should be able to get away with it. though there are better cold water fish i think then goldfish.

 

[Notophthalmus]

There is woman who is all about her self sustained systems. Forget her name, Linda or Wanda something, she's written a book about it, but can't seem to find it. Thought it was on an old thread at plantgeek but couldn't find that either....

Are you perhaps talking about Diana Walstad? I don't think her book is about self-sustained so much as easily-sustained systems.

 

[fish guru]

what other coldwater fish are there? sorry, I do not have much experience in the pond and coldwater fishkeeping.

 

[trashion]

White cloud minnows, for one.

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

Chinese barbs

 

[Inka4040]

Variatus platies do fine outside in NY summers. You could get 3 or 4 months with them outside depending on where you are. Best part is, they come in looking great from all the live food and sunshine!

 

[Notophthalmus]

Of course, there are a ton of NY native fish that do well in ponds. Most sunfish, black basses, and catfish, various minnows and shiners, pickerel, sticklebacks, and so on. A lot of these can be purchased from hatcheries or bait dealers.

 

[Star_Rider]

fish guru
you use ro/di and remove the minerals?
you rwalize that if you use water like that you should be doing large daily water changes?

with no buffers the water is very pH unstable and can be catastrophic in the end.

also is you are trying to set up a walstadt tank..the fish stock is very light. and the tank is heavily planted.

 

[Notophthalmus]

:iagree: If you're serious about doing this, I recommend reading Walstad's book before going any further.

Of course, there are a ton of NY native fish that do well in ponds. Most sunfish, black basses, and catfish, various minnows and shiners, pickerel, sticklebacks, and so on. A lot of these can be purchased from hatcheries or bait dealers.

Sorry, I got confused. For a small outdoor system, small hardy minnows like fatheads would be ideal. Gambusia could probably work too, and if you're in California you can probably get sterile Gambusia free from the county government.