10 replies to this topic

[Joshaeus]

In full sun, how large must a container pond be to prevent daily, dramatic temperature shifts that could kill the fish? I was considering using a large pot of a little over 20 gallons. I would prefer to not bury it if possible.

 

On another note...is there a minimum size limit for container ponds in partial shade?

[Matt DeLaVega]

In full sun you are going to have major heat issues with any container that is not buried. Think of unheated above ground swimming pools. They are several thousand gallons and get to very comfortable swimming conditions, which is generally thought of as 80+.

 

Put some shade over it, bury it, or put it on the north side of the house. I have a boat load of 80% shade cloth. Send me a PM if you can use some. Shipping plus a few bucks to cover my time and whatnot.

[Michael Wolfe]

100 gallon rubbermade "stock tanks" with water shield solves those problems.

[Joshaeus]

Partial shade for a container that size, then? I can't really go any larger...the containers that size are giant pots (for those concerned, they don't have drainage holes built in) and my parents have zero tolerance for larger and/or more typical 'ponds'

[swampfish]

Shade is critical for an outdoor 20 gallon container. It also depends where you live as it usually gets hotter farther south and west. A couple of years ago, I lost all of the fish in a 120 gallon in-ground pond that was only about 18 inches deep after eight days or so of mid-90 degree F highs in central Illinois. I now have a three-foot high fence covered with vines on the south and west sides of the same pond in the same location. We just finished eight or so days of low to mid-90's high temperatures with no fish losses.

 

Phil Nixon

[Betta132]

Have you considered an indoor pond? Then you don't have temp concerns.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Sell your parents.

[Joshaeus]

Living up in Maine Have an advantage in that regard. By the way...anyone know of some good plants for a shaded container pond? (The reason I want it outdoors is for the abundance of bugs that would make the residents more colorful and much more likely to successfully 'rear' fry)

[Joshaeus]

I forgot...they don't tolerate larger containers for cosmetic reasons

[swampfish]

My best hornwort this summer is in two 100 gallon shaded stock tanks. Many native water milfoils grow well in reduced light. The Najas sold at aquarium club fish auctions grows well in reduced light. There is controversy over the species, but it is generally referred to as Najas guadalupensis. Java moss grows in very little light. Even the dwarf water lilies such as Perrys Baby Red grow well in shady areas but rarely bloom. I have one in one of the shaded 100 gallon tanks, and the lily pads cover about one-fourth of the water surface.

 

If you are not able to have a larger container for cosmetic reasons, you need to sell them on a water garden with beautiful water lilies and other attractive water plants such as water hyacinths. Then you can put your fish in the water under the lily pads. I have seen numerous large stock tanks concealed with landscape timbers or ornamental brickwork around them. I have friends whose 500 gallon stock tank is the centerpiece of their backyard as it is surrounded by a lattice of ornamental landscape bricks and filled with water lilies. They have a difficult time finding homes for all the baby goldfish produced each year.

[phreeflow]

I have a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank and a 20 gallon plastic bin with fish in them. Out in the sun most of the day and both tanks do fine. I have fake plastic lily pads in them that covers 50-60% of the the surface to block direct sun. Knock on wood...had no real issues. Been 3 years. Only issue is algae blooms if I over feed or don't change out water. You'll never know until you try. Would probably help to plant some aquatic/semi aquatics plants to uptake excess nutrients and provide shade


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Edited by phreeflow, 20 September 2015 - 05:15 PM.