Tim and Debbies Pond and Lake Page
The Pond at Night
click to see fullsize
We just started a pond that was already in our home when we bought it. It's kidney shaped
and I estimate the size at just under 50 gallons. It was covered in leaves and mud so we
cleaned it out, stacked some rocks around it and filled it with water. I added a 90GPH pump
and a small foam filter pack for the pump to set in then formed a waterfall. We started with
4 goldfish, then got 2 small catfish, a 2-1/2" koi and a 14" sturgeon. Soon our smallest
goldfish died, then the 2 cats, then the large goldfish, then the sturgeon and a medium
goldfish (about 2") leaving us just a larger (3") speckled goldfish. He happens to be the
most aggressive and I think may have had something to do with the others demise. We did have
a pH issue, our water measured close to 8 from the tap and I may have (using a bad tester
maybe) used too much of the pH reducer chemical. We now use a test strip and not the drops,
I don't know which to trust :) So now we have just the one fish left and are just leaving
it alone more, what to do.... On the other hand we also own property in eastern Washington,
about 3,000' elevation where we intend to build more like a lake. I figure it will be close
to a half acre in size and 10'-15' deep. We are now trying to learn all we can so any help
or direction would be much appreciated.
We had our pond going for a few months prior to adding the first set of 4 fish. Originally I
just filled it and made the waterfall (which I'm not sure has adequate filtration or
aeration). After the first fish died I had a friend come over and check all those things
and everything was OK, but before that I had a water sample taken at the fish store and
they said my pH was too high. I added the biowhatever stuff and removed some rocks and now
it seems to be stabilized. That was six more fish ago The first had like a haze to him
before whatever it was turned the gills dark(not red), and the one fish started to eat on
him, after that the one seemed to just pick on the others, one at a time. This has taken
place since February when I started the pond, to about June, when I first added the fish.
I did, however change the water right before I got the first set. We got the second set
about a month and a half ago, it seems we lost one like every week or so...
Thanks,
Tim and Debbie
Feel free to visit our Property Page where we are building a Lake
Email Us
HOME PAGE
