Ok, so when my parents finally let me get a pond (they're on the verge of saying yes), I wanna know what fish would be best. I was looking at 2 pond kits, one is 350 gallons and the other is 150 gallons, the 350 is cheaper so Im hoping to get that one! I was thinking 1 koi and some singletailed goldfish. I was wondering, can double tailed goldfish tolerate the cold winters just as good as single tails or are they more delicate? If not, then maybe i'd get some of both, I know they're not usually supposed to be mixed, but Im good at making sure all fish get an equal share of food. And whats the best way to keept the water from freezing? We have really cold winters, would multiple airpumps and some antifreeze stuff or whatever its called be good enough?

How exciting Shamu! Sorry I can't help you out with your questions but I know someone here will. Do some on line searching for you answers. I just got a catalog all about ponds from drsfostersmith.com the web site answers alot of pond questions.

Make sure you think about some way to protect the fish from critters & birds. You might remember I lost fish that way.

You can also think about shubunkins. They have beautiful tails and colors and live well with Koi. Also I was told that even tho they eat alot they do not grow fast and from what I have experianced that is true. Mine are both a year old and I can not tell a bit of differance from the day they came here.

The koi and shubunkins eat fast! I only have one goldie in the pond and she eats from my hand so I can make sure she gets her dinner.

Cna't wait to see pic's

Shamu,

350 gallons is not big enough for koi. I'm guessing that the pond isn't over 24 inches deep, so koi wouldn't really have a lot of room to move around, and they get big fast! Koi keepers typically build six to eight foot deep ponds for their koi and they have no plants, and massive filtration. It isn't uncommon to see ponds bigger than swimming pools, stocked with just ten or twelve koi....... Ideally, koi should have about 1000 gallons per fish to accomodate their potential growth.

I've had wonderful luck with shubunkins and comets in my 2000 gallon planted pond. They get along really well, but don't seem to tolerate fancy tailed varieties. Every fancy goldfish I've put in with them has died, so I'm just sticking to the shubbies and comets for now.... You might want to stock all fancy varieties or all commons..... In the winter there you might have to consider bringing in fancy goldfish, but commons and shubbies would probably do fine with a de-icer

As for winter care, a bubbler will work, but IMO a de-icer is better. A bubbler brings the warmer water from the bottom of the pond (where the fish hang out in the winter) to the top of the pond. It can super cool the water which is not good. Also, a bubbler can freeze over and you'd have to go out and gently break the ice dome over it.... A de-icer just floats at the top of the pond and keeps a hole open in the ice. You just plug it in and it works and the water stays still, providing layers for the fish to stay in... Buy a metal cage for it, to keep it from touching the sides of your pond.

I think you'd be happy with the 350 gallon pond if the price is about the same as the 150. The larger the pond, the easier it is to balance it out and the less chance for water quality issues. And the more fish you can have, of course! I'm very excited for you. You'll really enjoy a pond of your own.

thanks guys, I thought a koi needs 250 gallons, but thats ok, i'll be fine without a koi for now lol. I probably wont get the pond till next year, but I guess its better to plan ahead. Im thinking of getting comets, commons, and shubbies. I saw something on the internet that says it keeps animals away, not sure what it was, or else maybe we could get a net eventhough my mom doesnt like that idea, but if thats the only way then thats how we'll have to do it

Here, this is the pond I was looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/COMPLETE-big-POND-KIT-P...1QQcmdZViewItem

If you dig a hole two feet deep, the liner leaves you with a pond approximately six feet by eight feet. That's a good start for comets, shubbies and commons. Are you planning on adding a filter? The kit includes a pump, but doesn't mention a filter..... Without a good filter you won't be able to have as many fish.

I'm very excited for you shamu!