Growing Out In Ponds

[jess6905]

Alright so since I've got my next few spawns planned out I got to thinking..... We have a rather large patio, and our house isn't all that big to begin with so I was thinking about an outdoor grow out "pond" for my spring/summer spawns. It would probably end up being a big bin or a larger kiddie pool rather than a pond though. What sort of things would I need? I already plan on having something like the screen top to our dogs kennel over it so it wouldn't get constant sunlight, but thats about as far as I have gotten. Any help her would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi

A lot of the Thai breeders have huge ponds that they put all their female fry into to grow on

I know New York can be quite hot in the summer months, so i would say it may be possible. One thing to think of is that the bigger and deeper the volume of water, the less the temperature will swing from day and night. If its too shallow, it may get too hot in the day and too cold at night.

Maybe test it out. Get yourself sorted with some kind water holder and a high/low thermometer, and take some readings.

 

[newfishy]

I would try and find some of those blue plastic 55 gallon drums and try those out. it will be easier to get a screen over the top that animals cant rip off and eat your fish.

 

[azulfire24]

whatever u use the screen on top will have to be seal tight, other then dogs or cats there are planty of other small things that would eat baby bettas, like bugs or dragon flys..

 

[jess6905]

Sorry I forgot to mention that if I can go through with this(which I hope I can) I am getting the metal chicken mesh/screen and making a wooden frame that would sit directly on top of the bin(s) so nothing can get in. I thought of that a while ago since we have 2 dogs, and had a cat running around last year. If I feel it is too light and could just be lifted off then I have plenty of large rocks i can line the top with to weight it down. The screen I mentioned would be attached to our privacy fence if you can call it that, and from there I just have to construct a small frame to hold it up so its nice and sturdy.
What depth would you guys recommend?

 

[newfishy]

as deep and as wide as you can afford. a small kiddie pool could work, but try craigslist and such, you might be able to find a large and deep kiddie pool for cheap.

 

[azulfire24]

a wood and chicken metal mesh with say the screne door mesh on top would probally work great, i would go for about 24 inches or 2 feet, that would be a kiddi pool that reaches to knee high instead of ankle high, the deeper the better though.