- I bought a pond today .... 40 gal, with a fountain, and a 400 Gal./Hr. (1514.2Ltr/Hr.)

It's a preformed one depth receptacle.

I have a Hardy Waterlily and Iris Laevigata (Snowdrift) in it ... bulb.

I would like to cycle the water and add 2 Shubunkins ... that I have raised to the pond.



What am I doing wrong so far and can I expect to pull this off, are really the only two things I desperately need to know. Also my Shubunkins have never been in a pond, only tank, not heated. Just wanted input so I thought I would post this. I appreciate your time and input and value any suggestions.

the fish should do well in there as long as it is predator protected. One thing you would desperately need is a filter. You can make an easy one by running a hose to a box filled with lava rock then a hole in a box thats drops back to the little pond. Its very affordable and easy to make but if you have more fish in there you will need to fill that box with bio balls or another filter media. Make sure the box is like a small rubbermaid though.

Location is also a big factor.Being that summer will soon be here,the temps can get gawd awful in a pond that small so you wouldn't want to keep it in all day sun or anything.
There are quite a few experts on ponds here,so hopefully they'll be able to give you a few good pointer's.

- Thanks Blondehairboi and thanks Devs -



The filter I bought 400 Gal. an hour I was hoping would be be enough, it's actually a submersible ... that I have attacted the fountain waterbell to. Although the filter you described Blondhairboi would certainly ease any fears I have, thank you for adding that.

The location I picked Devs, is full shade but can be changed if needed. The reason being I live in Oregon and my house faces West. I have full SUN (hot) hehe, from 1:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.

Height of the pond is 13in. width is 36in. (no levels) full size.

Maybe I won't be able to have fish in it ... but it will look stunning with plants and listening to the water is so peaceful.

I'm sure that with a little thought and care that you can pull something off.Daniel had a half barrel and kept fish in it that were gorgeous.You just have to look at all the angles,"The big picture" so to speak,which by the way would include cats/Raccoons etc.

- would add pic's but get the following-

Sorry, dynamic pages in the [IMG] tags are not allowed

http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb186/p...w¤t=2.jpg



maybe this will work just as well.

It looks like it will work great but if you ever want to make it bigger or such that can always be a top teir spillaway. I live in Washington so I understand your climate pretty well, one thing to remember in these two states is that if you have any sun put your pond there(only sun you will almost ever get).

- - got some plants so I added the pics - no fishes in there .... won't be adding any until I see the plants taking over then maybe I'll trust the water lol !!- I just can't imagine my Shubunkins loving that water .... it's only around 68 - 70 degrees in the aquariums w/out a heater !! That pond is cold ... I had red hands putting the plants in there .........

HERE is the link ...



O and Blondhairboi ... thanks for peeping the pics, your totally right that would be fun putting in another tier !!!- I love that idea

Looking good. That pump is running very strong and I bet it is great to listen to. Hope your fishies like it. Don't forgot to dechlorinate the water if its from the hose and let it sit for about a week.

The submergible filters are nice and all, especially since they add some "decor" to the tank with the fountain.
Personally, I don't like 'em all that much - you have to dig out the filter from the pond when you want to clean it. Plus, there is always quite some waste that keeps collecting under the filter. And I am not too comfortable with the amount of media it holds.
I like Blondhairboi's idea with the filter - some of my filters are like that. The good thing about them is that you can add whatever media you want. I have sponges and lava rocks in there, as well as some plants, like the spider plant or other submergible aquatic plants. Looks decorative, and holds a ton of media.

I put my filter on top of a cinder block and it reduces the amount of waste from staying under the filter. Worked out very well! So perhaps trying to raise your filter off the bottom will do this for you as well.