Daydre Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Figured I'd start talking about my journey here since I recently gathered most of the supplies I needed! Hopefully I don't forget to update this thread lol. I ended up getting a 40 gallon stock tank instead of the 110 since I misinterpreted the dimensions and it turns out there was no way the 110 gal was fitting in my dad's car 😔. Maybe someday lol. I have the gravel ready and most of the plants... just need to get the thing set up and running properly before I can add fish. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Nice! What are your stocking plans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 4, 2023 Author Share Posted March 4, 2023 Medaka rice fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 What kind? I had some platinum ones a while back… @Beardedbillygoat1975 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 I'm not entirely sure tbh, I'm probably gonna go with what's available in my area- and then failing that what I can get online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 It’s a rewarding journey with a pond. Best of luck and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miska Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 I can't wait to see pictures as you develop it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theplatymaster Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 i want to try one of these, just move some platies out and see how they do, but the weather is not warm enough here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 Yeah I'm lucky medakas are generally cooler water fish. I'd heard they can overwinter so long as you keep a top on the pond to keep things a few degrees above freezing? So here's hoping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi_Aquatics Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 Are you planning on adding plants? If so, what species? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 I'm planning on trying to add pickerel weed, lobelia cardinalis, either some vallisneria americana or dwarf sag (or both) on the very bottom, and american lotus. Possibly limnobium spongia if the lotus doesn't work out? Both lotus and pickerel weed seem to get pretty big so I'm worried about them crowding each other out. (Actually I'm worried I'm overcrowding with my plant choices in general, so if this seems cramped someone please tell me). I'm focusing on plants native to my area so if my plant choice seems unusual that's why lol. As much as I love water lettuce I live close to a waterway so I'm a bit paranoid. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineSong Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 Nice size pond! I bet you will really enjoy it and look forward to seeing your journal of the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 Hm, does anyone have any tips on weatherproofing an air pump for long term use outdoors? I was planning on running a sponge filter out there but would the ambient humidity and possible temperature swings mess with the pump powering it? I was planning on just kinda sticking the pump in a box with holes drilled in it or buying a Sockit box but I'm concerned that's not going to be enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 Ended up just buying a pump that was more suited for outdoor use. I'm super excited because the lotus I want to put in the pond germinated properly- I was worried at first that I messed up scarrifying them but nope most of them sprouted just fine! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 Progress has been halted for now as I realized the outlet in the yard is not working. 😔 Called an electrician but I still need to get a quote for how much it'll cost to get a line out there. I'd try using some kind of solar power bank but all the ones I was able to find that actually looked like they had build quality were about as expensive as just calling an electrician. Anyone got any recs in case I'm not able to get the electrician in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K McZongo Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 (edited) On 4/20/2023 at 9:06 AM, Daydre said: Progress has been halted for now as I realized the outlet in the yard is not working. 😔 Called an electrician but I still need to get a quote for how much it'll cost to get a line out there. I'd try using some kind of solar power bank but all the ones I was able to find that actually looked like they had build quality were about as expensive as just calling an electrician. Anyone got any recs in case I'm not able to get the electrician in? Honestly I thought about running a new outlet for my tub/stock tank pond last year. In the end I just ran a really long air line. I'd just fill up the tub to start it off then figure out filtration later to get is seasoned. I dumped a bunch of old tank water in mine before I got the filtration figured out. Currently using a whisper ap150 meant for larger ponds located in my garage and out through the garage vents. Edited April 23, 2023 by K McZongo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 9:06 AM, Daydre said: Progress has been halted for now as I realized the outlet in the yard is not working. 😔 I your yard outlet possibly on a GFCI circuit? Maybe it’s tripped. That’s happened to me with my patio pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted May 4, 2023 Author Share Posted May 4, 2023 So I ended up calling the electrician! Long story short, we're getting a new outlet installed. Plans are now moving ahead! It begins......... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted May 4, 2023 Author Share Posted May 4, 2023 Aaaaaand it has been set up for now. I swear to god I rinsed the gravel lol 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 @Daydre I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve said the same thing about washing gravel. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cmike15 Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 It's looking good, i plan to do something similar. it's so nice how it looks like it blends into your yard with landscaping all around. I look forward to the plants growing in and any fish. Do you have the fish in a tank or buying them when it's settled? just curious. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted May 4, 2023 Author Share Posted May 4, 2023 I don't currently have the fish, I'm planning on ordering them when I'm more sure the pond has enough beneficial bacteria to support them. My LFS told me I just need to give them a week's notice bc they need time to get the fish in anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted May 6, 2023 Author Share Posted May 6, 2023 got the filter in, here's hoping it clears up the water a little lol 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydre Posted May 8, 2023 Author Share Posted May 8, 2023 No pics today but the pond is cycled already?? It only took four days haha I know cycling isn't the end-all be-all people say it is and it's going to be at least a couple days before i add anything but it's good to know it's at least fish safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Four days isn’t generally long enough to cycle a pond. You can test it by adding some ammonia, if it’s fully cycled your test will show the ammonia dropping to zero and nitrates rising. If your ammonia isn’t zero or you’re seeing nitrites then you still have some time to go. Since you’re just adding a few small fish to a relatively large amount of water you’ll probably be fine doing a fish in cycle because by the time the toxins build up to harmful levels the pond will be cycled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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