What do I need

[brads]

OK, here we go. I think I'm gonna like this. I've got a 90g pond outside and two 5" goldfish in my tank inside. I'd like to put the goldfish outside year round. Ummm, not sure what kind the goldfish are or how to find out. My kids surprised me with them three or four years ago. (Feeders?) Now it's my turn to surprise them. I've had a 90g pond w/waterfall up and running outside for years. I've gleened I'm going to need some kind of filter. What kind and where do you get one? Plants. What's good? A heater, shade, etc, etc, etc. (I might even get fancy with an automatic water feeder.) I need the works here. Can soneone give me a general idea of what I'm going to need and where too get it. Appreciate it.

 

[Yankee Dog]

I think the only thing you really need is a filter which you should be able to build yourself. Just look around on the net. there are plenty of designs out there for you to choose from. You should be albe to incorporate them into your waterfall.

I do have a couple of questions. How deep is the pond? does it freeze solid in the winter.

Yankee Dog

 

[brads]

I do have a couple of questions. How deep is the pond? does it freeze solid in the winter.

Yankee Dog

Thanks Yankee Dog. The pond's about two feet deep I guess and it does freeze in the winter but not solid. But then I've never heated it either. Oh, about the filter. DIY is cool. Ummm, how do you keep it all (waterfall too I suppose) from freezing? I can think of an elaborate system but I always seem to go way overboard on things.

 

[brads]

Oh, about the filter. DIY is cool.

Jusy visited the "Skippy" DIY Bio-filter site. This is going to be great. And east too.

 

[musho3210]

the waterfall will agiatate the surface meaning it will be harder for it to freeze over, if that still doesnt work you may need to buy a heater, a heater for a 90 gallon wont cost much at all so dont worry.

 

[brads]

Thanks! :thm:

 

[Yankee Dog]

You dont really need a heater. Goldfish are basically carp and quite capable of handling the cold. A couple of things to remember. Stop feeding when the temps drop to the low 50s or so. Your fish's matabolism will slow and they wont need it anyway. The food will go uneaten and create waste. You should turn off your waterfall when the temps drop to freezing. An ice build up could cause problems. Also, the agitation will cool the water below normal which is not good for the fish.

Yankee Dog

 

[brads]

You dont really need a heater. Goldfish are basically carp and quite capable of handling the cold. A couple of things to remember. Stop feeding when the temps drop to the low 50s or so. Your fish's matabolism will slow and they wont need it anyway. The food will go uneaten and create waste. You should turn off your waterfall when the temps drop to freezing. An ice build up could cause problems. Also, the agitation will cool the water below normal which is not good for the fish.

Yankee Dog

Really, really. Just let them fend for themselves during winter huh. What do they do, sort of hibernate under the ice? Wow. Actually, wow that's cool.

OK so basically, when the temp drops to below 50 degrees, you stop feeding them. When the temp drops to freezing, turn the waterfall and filter off, let it freeze over and wait for the spring thaw. Is that right? Ummm, I've heard I'll need to keep an opening in the ice for gas exchange. Maybe with a light or something. What about that?

 

[KoiMan]

Yankee is right, you dont really don't need a heater as long as it does not completely freeze over. However if the top freezes maybe 2-3 inch, create a small opening for gas exchange so your fish won't suffocate. Moreover, for goldfishs you don't need to make a biofilter-although it wouldn't hurt to have one. Instead of getting a filter, I suggest getting 5-10 water plants such as water hyacinths or water lettuce, they will do the filtering and the N-cycle for you. And yeah just turn your waterfall and pump off in the winter!

 

[brads]

This is getting easier and easier. Just throw them in the pond and done deal. Cool. As far as a filter goes, I was planning on a DIY one so I think I'll still go ahead and do that. Might keep things a little cleaner, save some work. IE: Couldn't hurt! Thanks for the help people. :dance2: Ooo, Ooo, I'll have to change my sig. now...