Yesterday, I had installed a 6' x 2' galvanized stock tank that I will be using as an above ground pond. I have a pump and filter by Pondmaster that is running as I type these questions. I understand that I will need to let it run for about 3 weeks before putting in fish. Is there anything I need to do before I add the fish. I am going this weekend to get a couple of water liles and a lotus. Do I need to wait to add the plants? Will the chlorine, kill the beneficial bacteria that will come with the plants. Do I need to dechlorinate the water before adding the plants? I am not in a rush to add fish. I just don't want to make any costly mistakes. Let me know if you have had experience with a galvanized stock tank. I am very excited as I have waited 5 years to get a pond. Thanks, Charles
Galvanized Stock Tank and questions
Any chlorine that was in the water should have dissipated pretty quickly. I would not hesitate at all to add your plants. One of my pools is a large round stock tank that we sank into the ground with just a few inches left above ground to keep runoff from getting into the water and clouding it. The beneficial bacteria will come on it's own but there are a variety of different products that you can add to the water to "jump start" it if you would like. A good way to get beneficial bacteria started is to add some water from an established pond.
As far a fish are concerned, you may want to start out with some feeder goldfish from a pet store or bait shop. They are very inexpensive and hardy and will help you cycle your pond. I tossed in about a dozen in my first pond (before I found DG) and did everything wrong I could possibly do and there were still some survivors. Their descendants have happily continued to live there for several years now. In any case, you will want something in there to eat the misquito larvae and there are very well suited for this job.
Enjoy your new pond and welcome!
austintx - the fun is just beginning! Besides tetleytuna's considerable experience, there was another thread around here about a galvanized stock tank. If I remember right it worked out well. Take tetleytuna's advice. It's right on.
Happy Ponding!
I started a pond in a 2X4X6 galvanized water trough in June. Lost a couple of little bitty koi but everything seems ok now. From my recent experience and lots and lots of help from Tuna and snapple and lily_love and brenda and, and, and....too many to name, I'll just try to give a quick rundown.
Purchased a combo pump/fountain from HD for $99.00.....also had a small little fountain that we rigged as sort of a waterfall.....so that is two oxygen sources. I didn't know I needed oxygen, just thought it looked and sounded pretty. Be sure you always have de-chlorinator on hand. Have learned I can sprinkle the plants with the hose and it doesn't do damage as long as it is less than a gallon. The tub holds 360 gallons full to the top. We have had torrential rains several times this summer and I have had to dip water out so it would not run over. About once a month, I clean the foam filters but learned not to clean the bio-filters inside.....that is where all the good stuff has developed. (Don't you just love my scientific description....refuse to learn the latin names on flowers, too)
Have a regular pot stand in one end with black Elephant Ear and wandering jew. On the other end I have a folding plastic drink table to hold two larger pots with various plants....have learned that most anything tropical will grow with it's feet in the water. These are underwater. Floating in the water is anachris (sp) and parrot feather....they provide oxygen and don't have to be in dirt. Have placed vines and hanging baskets all around the back and ends to keep it from being in direct sun.....the koi would die. After the first month when I cleaned it too well and two fish died.....I got a start of water....40 gallons or so...from my neighbors pond.....kind of like "seed" water because everything you need is already growing in it and will multiply. I now have 3 koi that have grown to about 5 inches and two sucker fish. About the time they start coming to me....I move something around and they think it is a tsunami and hide again. Oh, did have two pots with lilies....the koi have completely destroyed it. Took them out yesterday and I don't know if they will rejuvenate or not.
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In my notes I have a Austin Pond Society. They meet every 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. at Zilker Garden Center. Website is austinpondsociety.org. I'd check them out regarding your questions about fish and water plants that work in your area. Some water garden societies have a plant swap in the spring and that can save you a bunch of money if you are just starting out. Most water lilies are very prolific if well cared for and most people would rather give you a start then just composting them.
Years ago, I spoke with a woman from a water garden store in Texas. She mentioned she lost all of the koi she had kept in an above ground stock tank outside because of a extreme temperature fluctuation they had in weather on one day.
Also, be advised that koi jump. If you don't have some kind of setup over the tank, the fish can just jump out and die.
I started out with a tiny in ground pond and goldfish. I would bring the goldfish inside to a
large aquarium in the winter. You might want to think about doing something like that to start.
Post pictures. Let us know how it goes. If there are plants you are looking for, be sure to ask around.
Christi (LouC)... you know I love your water trough pond! It's looking great, and I'm so glad to hear things are doing better now. Austin, the additive that has been recommended to "seed" your pond with good bacteria can be found at petsmart. I can't remember the name right now, but I have used the one that specifically says in the directions that you cannot overdose your pond, and it is all natural. "Cannot overdose" are the keywords (not that I'd try)... that's how I remember which one to buy. It works really well. You do know to add "de-chlor" when you add water (follow the dosing directions). Apparently not many things kill fish faster than adding chlorinated water without throwing a bit of de-chlor in. And you will have to add water sometimes. Always keep some on hand. And I agree, with the pond being in a stock tank, you have to consider temperature extremes (mostly hot, I think... someone correct me if I'm wrong, but as long as the water doesn't freeze over, the fish should be fine). Where it is very hot, I'd say protect it from too much direct sun and do as Christi has done, shelter the sides with other plants. Post pics of your progress! Good luck!
Brenda
Thank you for encouragement, Brenda. You helped me a lot. Austin, you should go to Brenda's thread as she built her pond.....very inspiring. Probably what finally kicked me off wanting and made me start doing. Find that under bsavage.
Forgot to say....it is also under a canopy....as little direct sun as possible. I have a thermometer and the water temp has not gotten over 80 degrees.....for Central Texas....that is a miracle. It also helps keep the falling leaves from contaminating the water.....i check twice a day and seine any that have fallen to keep the water from having too much trash.
Thanks, Christi... but you inspire me too. Here's a link to the thread of us building our pond (I gotta say, Tony, my husband to be really did the building)... it's a long story....
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/705479/
also yesterday's filter clean out adventure...
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/772477/
nonetheless, any pond, regardless of size, is a lovely, awesome, relaxing, peaceful, reflective, and amazing place. I highly recommend it!
yep. I have go out every morning even before coffee to see if everybody is alright.
I think your stock tank pond is awesome, LouC ! I am now inspired.
My plain old goldfish is now about 7 in long, and big enough
for a skillet! He grew that way in a 20 gal aquarium. It's time for him to
move.
Since we are on a well, I don't have to worry about the chlorine,
but as a precaution against a power outtage, I keep several gallon
containers of our water on the shelf. If you let your tap water rest
for 24 hours in a container,uncapped, the chlorine will dissipate and
you don't need the chemical. Also this allows the water to come to
room temp, or near your outside temp, so as not to shock the
inhabitants with the cold water.
I do have concerns about the few and far between but oh so
fridgid days we have. Perhaps DarlenDeb is smart in being cautious
with her fish in winter.
Thanks for everyone's response. Brenda and Lou your ponds are awesome. A friend is giving me some parrot's feather and water from his pond to get the beneficial bacteria going. I dechlorinated the water with a Jungle product. I am going to our local pond store on Saturday to pick up a couple of water lilies. Would my pond be too small for a lotus? The pond place has some beautiful red ones. Charles
I would expect that the pond store knows what is ok but some kinds of lotus are illegal because if they get in the public water ways they are invasive in a big way. I put two pieces of parrot feather in 5-6 days ago and the koi have eaten it. Just re-did the lilly pots today because they have taken them down to soil level....even with rocks on the top. Little devils dig in everything. I plan to put a large aquarium heater in mine this winter and wrap it in the foil, layered insulation. It is easy to find....even Ace Hardware has it. Koi are cold water fish and even if the top freezes you just have to open a hole where they can get oxygen. The sort of go dormant. I am protecting my pond because it is not under ground. Don't want it to freeze solid.
I always tell Brenda that in relation to her pond, mine is pail....hahaha..Just cleaned the filters today and looks as though the beneficial stuff is stuffing right along. Always rinse it over the flowerbed and it is great fertilizer.
My new Better Homes has an article about a man using the round, lower side galvanized troughs for raised beds. Very fancy house and it has turned out great. It is the Oct. issue and gives me some ideas. Would help to bring the theme together. I have a barn for a storage bldg and collect old farm tools and they are scattered about. Not quite as bad a Sanford and Son.
The "pond" is on the left corner of the canopy where all the greenery is....try to keep it cool.
What a pretty yard, Christi! Austin, my parrots feather got eaten too... but I do have 3 small turtles in the pond too, so I don't know whether to blame the fish or the turtles. There is always some munching on the lily leaves, too, but mostly the lilies are okay. Some lotus plants get really big, so you'll have to determine what the full grown size of the lotus you get will be. Have fun!
Brenda
I purchased 3 beautiful water lilies this weekend. One blue, one purple and one red/fuschia. They were fairly large with lots of buds. All are blooming now except for the red. I was considering lotus beside against them since they require still water. Hope to be adding some goldfish in about 3 weeks.
Sounds like a great buy! Pictures, please!!!
Were the water lilies you purchased tropical?
Yes, they were tropical. Blue - 'Dauben'; Purple with yellow center - 'Panama Pacific; Red/Fuschia (a night bloomer) - 'Red Cup'. They were loaded with buds. I will take photos this weekend. Charles
Did the place you bought them from tell you how to overwinter them? If so, would you please share that with us.
I know there is a way to cut them back and store them in a cooler, but I don't know the specifics and a friend in Texas wants to overwinter her 'Red Flare' tropical water lily she got this season.
Thanks,
Deborah
To overwinter tropical lilies, you stop fertilizing them mid Sept; this stress the plant sending it to tuber; once the lily is in it's hard state it won't freeze. This is from the handout that I got when I purchased the lilies.
Charles, does this mean they can stay in the pond. Mine is the galvanized stock trough.
I certainly had never heard that about overwintering the tropical lilies. This is my first year for them. I just love the way they constantly send out new blooms but had never gotten them before because they are a pretty expensive "annual" up here where we freeze solid for months at a time.
Hmmmmm, what zone is Austin in? Up here everyone has to bring there tropical waterlilies in or they die.
Austin is zone 8. This is my first attempt with a pond so this is all new to me. I can only go by what I was told at the place that sold me the lilies. I am hoping that they survive the winter as they were not cheap.
I paid $37. each for two lillies in July. The koi have killed them. They root around the dirt even though it has pebbles. I have moved them up on a high planter that keeps the tops just under water.....no signs of life. Anyone have a suggestion to doctor the bulbs or is it too late?
Austintx78757 maybe you should contact someone in your local pond society. I was reading about tropical water lilies and apparently the water temp is not suppose to go below 60 degrees F. for them.
I'm going to defer to the experts, Christi... I'm still new at this, but I'm pretty sure you can save them. Anyone??
Thank you for the "expert" title, Brenda. I started because you inspired me. I've already killed two fish and the water is murky tonight. Added water today and the chemicals for the chlorine, amonia, and something else..should be clear tomorrow. My lillies are already dead.
Austin, just re-read the thread (umph) and don't find where you have fish. I now have 6 small koi and 2 suckers. They oxygen was low so I purchased a double Tetra aquarium pump/filter for a boost. Everything is working great now. The one $99. pump from Wallyworld wasn't enough to filter the gunk. Didn't know fish had such an active intestine.
Just in case you have fish.
LouC
LouC, I introduced 6 goldfish about two weeks ago. They are doing great. I waited 2 weeks after putting in the lilies before putting in the fish so that the good bacteria would have a chance to establish itself. The water has remained clear so far. The pump that I am using is by Pondmaster. I want to get more fish but may wait till the spring and then again I may not if they go on sale! Thanks, Charles
Your welcome.
austintx It sounds like you are fast becoming a master at small water feature management. Fun, aint it?! Six goldfish, kept in good water conditions such as yours, will reproduce faster than rabbits. You are most likely going to have more goldfish than you know what to do with. Unless you are looking for a particular goldfish, like a Sarassa Comet (gorgeous) you might want to hold off on buying any fish.
Snapple 45.....the 6 are Sarassa comets....3 solid orange and 3 calico. They are beautiful. All are about 6 inches long. Charles
Hi to all. I just found this thread and all your ponds are beautiful.
My Koi used to eat the potted plants too till I let Water Mint grow loosely over the edge of the pond.I grow the water mint in the ground next to the pond,let it grow over the edge and then the roots grow into the pond. Now they eat the roots that grow freely in the pond and leave the potted ones alone. My Pond is not galvanized,it's a 1200 Gal.,hand dug,outdoor pond with a rubber liner. I just thought the Water Mint might work with galvanized ponds too. Of course my fish are pretty spoiled. I hand feed them cooked veggies and in the summer months they eat pieces of roast beef and other meats too. I have 20+ fish in my pond and one Koi is 20" long. the rest of the fish are between 12 inches and 13 inches. All the fish I have now were born and raised in this pond.
Sounds like a good idea, poseyblossom! Thanks!
Brenda