pond

[stewartsthebest]

I have a pond in my back yard, and i normally put 3 good sized goldfish in there and 2 albino sucker fish, but im not sure wut to do with them in the winter, someone please help!!!

 

[The-Wolf]

how deep is the pond and what's its volume?
if you dont know the volume post the average width and lenght with the depth and i'll work it out for you.

I'm not sure about the albino suckers in there???

 

[stewartsthebest]

the pond is pretty small, about 16 inches deep (not sure, guessing) but pretty good swimming size for the 3 goldfish ive never had an albino sucker fish yet but i was thinkin of givin it a try i dont know about the volume but its about 50 inches id say?

 

[stewartsthebest]

50 inches across that is, and i usuallly put 5 tadpoles in to lol

 

[ryan]

the pond is pretty small, about 16 inches deep (not sure, guessing) but pretty good swimming size for the 3 goldfish ive never had an albino sucker fish yet but i was thinkin of givin it a try i dont know about the volume but its about 50 inches id say?

Sounds quite small. 16" is pretty shallow, 18" is normally considered the minimum for fish to over winter so you may need a heater. The goldfish would be fine. By an Albino Suker fish do you mean an Albino Common Pleco.

 

[stewartsthebest]

yea, last year i left my fishies in for over winter thinkin they would be fine and it was a tragedy so very sad

 

[Cat]

Make it a bit deeper ready for the winter
Whats an albino pleco?

 

[ryan]

Make it a bit deeper ready for the winter
Whats an albino pleco?

This is an Albino Pleco

They are often sold for ponds or coldwater enviroments but they are not suited to it and will die in outdoor ponds.

 

[Cat]

I'll not look for 1 then.

 

[bshockstubb]

I live int he desert, could a albino pleco live in my pond. The water does not freeze but the coldest it got was probably 42*F. I have mollies in there, which i bring them in during the winter. Could an plec live in the pond without being brought in? Also would it eat any of my baby fish?

 

[willis_881]

the pond in my back yard is about 3 feet deep 6 feet long so it should be ok during the wintertime...but there are about 25 -30 goldfish in there and 4-5 wild bull frogs that stop by from time to time... so during the winter they all should be fine if there is a tarp over ..shouldn't they?

 

[bribones]

Ryan i think a pinned topic is in order for winter care of ponds ,a few dos and donts etc

last year i coverd my small pond with policarbonate sheeting ,sort of a mini greenhouse effect,this will not stop the temp dropping but keeps the surface frost free and a thinner layer of ice forms

for smaller ponds id recommend dropping any fountain/ water features below the surface so if the pond does freeze the water will not pump out and overflow leaving below the ice empty there are many sites out there if you do a google search for winter care/ponds so you should be able to pick up hints and tips

for shallow ponds a heater will be required ,it doesnt have to be large as its only intended to keep the chill off the water and prevent ice forming

 

[ryan]

Bribones I have been reminding myself to do a couple of pinned topics for a while, just need to get round to it I'll give it ago tommorow.