I'm fairly new to keeping goldies and I decided to get myself a patio pond. I picked up this 6' x 4' x 2' high black laguna plastic tub for $300 and I've added a filter and pump and some nice Sarasa comets that caught my eye. Now its cycled properly the fish are all in and starting to look good. I've still got a lot of work to do building a brick surround and wood edge for the pond and a nice wooden planter box to hide the filter. I also intend on putting in some river pebbles as substrate and adding some more plants. So far I'm happy with it and the fish seem to love it. I've got 8 various comets in there ranging from 5" right up to a couple of 12" monsters.

Very nice... I have a liner pond as I could not find no big mold but the style of yours is so unique but looks much more heavy duty then all those rubbermaids. The water is crystal clear and some beautiful comets. With a new pond like that do not be scared if an algae bloom suddenly occurs, many new ponds will get them in the first couple weeks but with proper filtration you should be fine(especially if that is an incorparated uv i see). It appears to look like a "green machine" filter of some sort but correct me if I am wrong. I am just assuming you live somewhere more warmer with those plants? If not please tell me the name of those plants they are just beautiful.

Thats a blagdon Midipond 16000 filter with a 36w UV driven by a Laguna Maxflo 2000 pump. Its a excellent filter particularly because its the only pond filter I know of that is essentially a wet/dry type which offers excellent bio filtration.
I'm sorry but I don't know the plants ...they were just at the local water garden store on special.

Nice pond and beautiful fishies!
And your pics are fantastic!

Very nice.

Makes me want my patio pond again. Darn the raccoons!

That pond is gorgeous, just as those sarasa comets are!

OoOo... nice pond! where'd you get it? or what's it called?

maybe i should put one out back.

The pond is a Laguna PT 796 which is available pretty much anywhere that sells Laguna or fluval etc

The website link is here


Be mindful that for some reason the Laguna website lists that pond as 195 gallons but its actually about 375 gallons.

I love it. I like the black. It makes a nice showcase for your fish. It was very cheap too- wow! Looks like it fits in just perfectly size wise on the patio too

Your pond looks great, and the quality, and clarity of your photos are amazing! I don't know if I am more jealous of your pond, or your photographic ability!

OOH...Trinket! I think you are thinking "would look great on a balcony" again....

I am jealous of your pond too! It is absolutely gorgeous! Now I am thinking about getting a pond in the future... hmmm

Your pond, fish and pictures are all beautiful. Can you share some secrets for taking those photos?

OoOo... niiice. thanks for the info!
i will have to look into one for the backyard.

except... do you think fish would boil in phoenix? i mean... i'd definitely put them under a tree or something where it's shaded, but i wouldn't want them to overheat or anything.

ooh holy moly what a beautiful set up there are not that many pretty patio ponds but you nailed it

What camera are you using? I only ask because the 6th photo has the shadows and details captured as if were taken with a cannon, but some other photos look like they were taken with a Nikon.

Those were taken with a old Canon 30D.

Beautiful fishes! I love your pond

wow thats beautful! And ur fish r amazing they have such bright colors!

It looks great!

I'd set up a pond, except for the cost involved, and the risk of predators. (My neighbors have an "outdoors" cat.)

your pond is very nice ..that is hopfully my next project ...after I wear down the hubby !!! ....thanks for the inspiration !!!

Beautiful! I look forward to watching the pond progress. Please keep updating us!

ohhh i am good i thought it was a cannon that took those shots.

There are two "outdoors" cats in my neighborhood and they are harmless to the fish. They will visit the pond and look at the fish, even swiping their paw in the air to get a reaction from them, but they have never gone in the water or tried to catch and eat one. One cat's owner even has a goldfish pond in his backyard.

From what I've read, cats don't like water, and a well fed cat will not eat fish, only a desperately hungry one. There are a fair number of carnivores/omnivores that behave the same way - foxes, 'possums, etc. The only two predators that love a meal of fish above all else and don't mind water are raccoons and herons.

Philly Bill

######. I passed up that pond because I wanted at least 300 gallons and the Laguna site said it was 195! I should have done the math and figured out that it was actually 345 gallons. It would have fit on my patio better than the round Rubbermaid tank that I got instead.

Your pond looks great, as do the photos of your fish. Check out my small pond blog for pictures of my pond. We have very similar setups, so we can learn together.

Hi I checked out your site and I love your ponds ...fortunately we don't get snow or frost or anything like that here so I can keep my pond going all year but it did look quite cool seeing your pond with snow all around it :-)

Wow, nice patio pond, I have one the same! lol Sure is one snazzy filter you have there. Your sarasa in pic #5 has markings very similar to the fish I bought yesterday with Mads at the koi farm.

I don't know what your winters are like but I use a large sheet of polystyrene over the top of the tub for insulation at night. It's about an inch thick and I don't loose any heat overnight. I have a cut away at one corner to allow the filter return water.

I'm in Melbourne and I have the plan to do almost exactly as you described. I've done it already on my big tropical pond and it manages to stay pretty much @ 25-26c without the big heater doing too much work.

Ooh, tropical pond - do tell. I apologise if you already have a thread for your tropical pond but if so please link here. ta

A Melbourne boy Mads is from Melbourne she is really nice. Fishmerised and I are a couple of the members from Sydney. You had better not go for the Melbourne Storm or else you are in trouble lol

You don't have to worry .... I follow REAL football ...... GO PIES !!!!!

Well .... if you start by realising I'm quite insane and have a lot of big tanks and well eventually I ended up with a few rather large fish and they grew too large for any tank
(The length of hose visable in the video is 8 feet long to give you a idea of the size of the fish)
This is a video of my 4500g tropical pond thats outside and heated with a 3.6kw aquaculture heater and it will prove my madness.

MY POND VIDEO

Wow! They're big! Looks like you've provided them with a nice home too.

Oh okay i was never a big fan of AFL. My favourite code is Union but i guess it is because i was brought up with it.

Taksan, have you got any pictures that show your entire pond? I'd love to know more details of the filtration system too.

I don't know much about aussie rules but do the 'PIES' = Collingwood? Hubby just said, yes.

I downloaded quicktime but does it work on a pc? I can't get your video to play.

Dan my man, my turn for a correction today, lol. The Melbourne Storm play League not Union.

Yes it should work on a pc no problem

Yeah, I hadn't allowed the download to install properly. silly me.

Your redtails are gorgeous, they seem like best friends too. I think you need to start a new thread because that whole set-up looks interesting.

I think you misread my post I said that my favourite code is union. I did not say that Melbourne Storm play Union lol With their poor ball work they would never last in Union.

Yes, I did misread your post. What have you done? put a jinx on me or something? lol

I have a little voodoo doll here and i am sticking pins in it lol. Get better soon

Aaaaaahhhhhhhh !!!!! ouch - ouch - ouch!!!!!

You may feel a slight jabbing pain but that is expected .
Ummm back to the topic i think it is one of the nicest patio ponds i have seen in a while you may have just inspired me to set one.

Yeah for the price I think they are a total bargain .

I checked out the Red Tail Catfish video i was blown out the door what beautiful catfish. Another question since you keep catfish do you have any tandanus tandanus catfish they are my favourite catfish i would have some if i had the room.

Yes I do I've got 2 small ones and they are great goldfish tankmates BTW (for larger goldies)

That is a very nice pond..and you have really nice goldfish too

Cool i would not risk keeping them with goldfish after all they do eat live foods and have a toxic spine. I can dream until i have room to get some. They never stop growing so they need a tank 6ft and possibly more that is room i don't have at the moment.

They get big...ish ...about 2 feet but it takes a loooooooooooong time.... not real fast growers once they reach about 30cm.
You could keep one happily in a standard 4 foot tank for quite a few years I'd imagine or else bunnings has a special on 220 liter tubs ATM for $41

One of the members on this site has a 4ft tandanus it grew to 4ft in a year is that rare or something that is why she told me not to get one until i have enough room for one. Although you are putting ideas in my head.