building an indoor pond

[w00005414]

I've had my outdoor 1700 gallon pond for ten years but an otter recently cleaned me out, two large koi and about 30 goldifsh gone. What I'd like to do is scrap the outdoor pond and get an all season room added to the house and build an indoor raised pond. Anyone out there have an indoor pond and want to share their challenges/designs?

Any pictures would be helpful too. Thanks all!

 

[MitchM]

I don't know what your climate is like, but controlling indoor humidity should be a major consideration.

 

[koiguy1969]

I have had my basement pond since 2008. no moisture issues at all. and do you mean an basically all glass / screen add on room say thru a doorwall where your patio is? if so moisture would be even less of an issue.
old thread:
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...mple-but-effective-basement-pond-setup.10564/
newer:
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/updated-basement-pond-thread.15548/

 

[w00005414]

Thanks MitchM, I am in Massachusetts. I was thinking of the glass sunrooms (the type sold by Champion or Bruin). I figured heat/humidity would be a major factor due to the Greenhouse effect so I was thinking of having a retractable shade and an automatic venting system that was thermostat controlled (if there is such a thing). I was also thinking of tying it into the A/C and heating system in the house but have double doors or a screen door leading out to it to control any smell associated with it, I don't want the house smelling like a fish store

 

[w00005414]

Thanks koiguy1969, cool stuff!

 

[koiguy1969]

you cant smell mine....

 

[Priscilla]

I have two small ponds at the front of house, its almost like a courtyard with little to no wind in that area. There is a distinct 'pond/water' smell there on very still nights. It maybe because I wash the filters out in the gardens (good fertilizer). Its not a foul smell, just a wet smell.

Your idea sounds great. I have seen a show on HGTV (I think) where they added a pond to the middle of the house and there was a lot of talk about controlling the humidity. I guess it depends on how much humidity you start out with to begin with.

Good luck with your plans! Keep us updated.

My next pond will be enclosed as well, probably just with screen.

 

[MitchM]

This is a picture of the doors to my attached greenhouse this morning.
I have an indoor aquaponics setup plus a covered tropical aquarium that gives off a lot of moisture.
Mind you, it's a bit cold here this morning (-13F) Moisture will collect on a cold enough surface and exchanging air from the outside can be a problem with heat loss and ice buildup.

Mark (koiguy), do you have a way of exchanging fresh air in your house?
I use a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).

 

[Dave 54]

I had a large indoor 220gallon imperial koi tank and ran it for 22 years indoors before going outside and managed it quite well as long as my bad legs held up but in the end we decided to move outside for ease of cleaning.
As long as you plan out all the logistics etc then you shouldnt have a problem with it , we wish you the best of luck with your project and hope it works out well for you

Dave

 

[j.w]

Someone here made this kind of a screened in area for their pond. I saved the photo but forget who built it again of course. I just love it!

 

[Dave 54]

Someone here made this kind of a screened in area for their pond. I saved the photo but forget who built it again of course. I just love it!
View attachment 77316

This might be a better idea than going indoors and could most probably be made otter proof well remembered j.w.

Dave

 

[w00005414]

I love the screened in pond! That damn otter got underneath a pinned down net several times so I'm not going to take any chances. To keep the (proposed) room from smelling I planned on doing frequent small water changes, over provisioning the filter system (I've been looking at the Nexus EazyPod), getting an oversized dehumidifier, and getting a separate cooling/heating system just for that room so it doesn't circulate the air throughout the HVAC of the rest of the house. Did I mention I'll be in the poor house from building it .

 

[addy1]

How about a nice secure fence? Dug down under ground one or two feet, then up xx feet. I don't think otters can climb fences.

To stop ground hogs, I buried some fencing a foot, slightly angled out and went up 3 feet. No more ground hogs in the veg garden.

 

[w00005414]

Thx addy1, I'm definitely leaning towards an indoor pond, I've had a family of northern brown water snakes living in the pond and one really big black rat snake... those guys already put me over the top, the otter was just an extra kick in the pants

 

[addy1]

lol I don't mind snakes, no otters here. I have a large rat snake hanging around, about 6 feet of so. We have so many moles, mice I rather have the snake than not.
My main battle is the heron.