Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 So me and my dad @Jbeezydad were thinking about maybe setting up a pond that goes all year around. We wanted to do some Ricefish. I heard they can go in very cold temps but not alot lower than 50F. In the winter were we live it can get pretty cold. Any suggestions for all year around fish or is there not any all year around fish. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) I would say get a 50-100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank with a small heater if it gets below 40F for extended periods of time. Check out aquarium co op’s Latest video on indoor mini ponds. That is what I would do for rice fish. Another option is to do goldfish, and bring them inside during the winter. Not an experienced pond keeper, just knowledge I have heard over the years. A second opinion is probably best. Edited July 19, 2021 by Guppy Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Depending on the size of your pond Koi carp goldfish would over winter fine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griznatch Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) Not sure about ricefish but goldffish can overwinter in some pretty extreme temps. Mine are in an above ground pond in Idaho and we get below 0f temps here. My pond completely freezes over and they go to the bottom and basically go dormant. I do have a pond surface heater to keep the ice from completely covering the top, so they gas gas exchange. I'd think an in-ground pond would be better just for insulating and water temp stability. I can't do that on mine because I want to see my cool cast iron claw foot tub 🙂 Edited July 19, 2021 by Griznatch spelling 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 I keep Comet, Sarasa and Common Goldfish in a 100ish gallon patio pond. It’s like having a tank of water puppies, and they can be kept in freezing temps. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 In kentucky it nomally gets about 15F in the winter a goldfish pond would be nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 @Griznatch, let’s see some bigger pics of that tub, it looks cool as heck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 White Clouds are another good option. Mine survived Oklahoma's icy winter in a 100 gal tub pond. I threw a heater in the tank just to keep it from totally freezing. No issues. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Source small fish from local lake/stream etc. they are already used to the conditions and near me we have some gorgeous sunnies and somewhat colorful minnows (probably considered drab by most but i think they are beautiful) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 If we got a heater what would you suggest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griznatch Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/19/2021 at 9:43 AM, Patrick_G said: @Griznatch, let’s see some bigger pics of that tub, it looks cool as heck! I have a lily in there now and it's taking over, but the water lettuce is holding it's own. This was in the spring This is current. I had to add some burlap for shade. All the local places here in the valley are completely out of shade cloth. a solid month of over 100 degrees has been brutal... 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriendlyLoach Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Oh, and apparently Cory said in one of livestreams that u can do firemouth cichlids at freezinging temps. IDK, @Corydo you have any more info on that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griznatch Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) On 7/19/2021 at 10:01 AM, Taco Playz said: If we got a heater what would you suggest? This is what I use. Floats on top and keeps it from freezing completely over. You can get it on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/FLOATING-POND-ICER-WATT-HEATER-POND/dp/B00JI0O6YY/ref=sr_1_58?dchild=1&keywords=pond+heater&qid=1626711413&sr=8-58 This is really more for stock ponds or something with a good amount of surface area. Keep in mind, the size of your heater and how long it has to stay on could really increase your electric bill... Edited July 19, 2021 by Griznatch add more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 Would it be okay with like a reptile heater or would that not be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 The one @Jbeezydadfound was 125 gallons I think. So if I were to do ricefish or goldfish how much could I put in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) I have seven goldfish 6-9” in the 100 gal. I’m not having trouble with water quality but I’d like them to have more room so the plan is to double or triple the size of the pond by this time next year. At my local koi place these goldfish run from $5-30 depending on size and type. Edited July 19, 2021 by Patrick_G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmedByFish Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/19/2021 at 11:28 AM, Taco Playz said: The one @Jbeezydadfound was 125 gallons I think. So if I were to do ricefish or goldfish how much could I put in there. I've heard ricefish reproduce well, so even if you started with about 6, you'd likely have more soon. Keep in mind that whatever species you choose will need to be a species you'll have space for their whole life. I don't know whether 125 gallons is big enough for a gold fish - I at least know it's not big enough for more than about 3... unless you're committed to doing water changes every 5 minutes. 😂 Depending on where you live, also consider how high of a temp the species can handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmedByFish Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Take @Patrick_G's advice about goldfish over mine. We were typing at the same time, and I'm not the one with experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griznatch Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) I wouldn't think a reptile heater would work, too great a risk of electrical shock/short.. You'd need something made for heating water that can withstand freezing temps, if that's what you have in your area. If anyone here uses something besides a stock tank heater update on here with what you use. I have 2 feeder goldfish in my pond. they were an inch long when I got them and are now maybe 8 inches long? I wouldn't put anymore in there. With my plant pots in there and the filter/pump, I'd say I'm down to about 80 or so gallons of swimming room. You could have a boatload of ricefish in something like your 125m maybe only 3 or 4 goldfish, remember they get huge. Disclaimer, I am by no means a pond expert and this one I have only had for a few years. Edited July 19, 2021 by Griznatch add more 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) On 7/19/2021 at 9:49 AM, CalmedByFish said: Take @Patrick_G's advice about goldfish over mine. We were typing at the same time, and I'm not the one with experience. And frankly my experience is anecdotal to my personal setup so your personal results may be different and I’m strongly leaning towards a 300 gallon upgrade. Edited July 19, 2021 by Patrick_G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Cory Posted July 19, 2021 Administrators Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/19/2021 at 9:17 AM, FriendlyLoach said: Oh, and apparently Cory said in one of livestreams that u can do firemouth cichlids at freezinging temps. IDK, @Corydo you have any more info on that? I don't have first hand experience. Only that a woman locally in our club had this happen last year where the firemouth cichlids overwinter with ice on top of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmedByFish Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/19/2021 at 11:51 AM, Griznatch said: I wouldn't think a reptile heater would work, too great a risk of electrical shock/short.. You'd need something made for heating water that can withstand freezing temps, if that's what you have in your area. Also consider whether the electricity might go out in your area during winter - like the Texas Freeze. I wonder if solar-powered heaters exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 I put rice fish in my pond last July (at Cory's suggestion) and even though there was ice on the pond in the winter, the rice fish survived nicely and are doing great. I live in zone 7B in central North Carolina. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 @DanielDid it have a heater? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/19/2021 at 1:46 PM, Taco Playz said: @DanielDid it have a heater? No heater but it averages about 3ft deep. Over the course of the last year the temperatures have ranged from as low as 32°F at the surface to 95°F at the surface. I didn't take any temperature measurements in the deep parts of the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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