Considering closing pond and selling all-

[mrsclem]

Life is getting too busy and the ponds are now a low priority. I'm considering selling off my koi, all pumps and filters plus all the extra equipment, chemicals etc.
Has anyone done this sort of sale?
Where do I start??

 

[JBtheExplorer]

If you were to plan a rummage sale that would probably be the easiest way to try to sell it. Years ago I had a preformed pond and pump and I stuck it in a rummage sale and it went quick. Unless you plan on trying to sell it online, but I've never done that sort of thing so I'm just as unsure about it as you are.

 

[Tula]

@mrsclem , I began thinking about life without a pond a couple of years before hand.

Finding my koi a good home was my first priority. I wrote e-mail after e-mail to various koi clubs and rescues in hopes of finding my four adult koi, a good placement.. You might not have this challenge as you've sold koi through the years. No one was interested in my pond grade koi , who I adored.

I finally found an owner of a koi / fish farm who said he was interested. I didn't get any money for them, was just relieved they were moving to a better pond than mine with an experienced ponder.

I ran our pond for another year without any fish, enjoying the water gardening. At the end of that season, we decided to close the pond and loaded up all equipment and gave it to the man who'd taken our koi. I felt he truly deserved it and I didn't have the time to clean and list all the equipment for sale.

 

[Pablo]

Reaching out to your local garden clubs might work. Someone may be interested in adding a water feature to their landscape. Trying to sell online can be a hassle as you have to get into the shipping nonsense. I hear you though, it is tough to keep up with the pond if you have other things going on in your life or trying to keep up with the rest of your yard. I have only had my pond a year and a half and feel like I made a mistake, a small pondless waterfall might have been a better way to go.

 

[GBBUDD]

Well I am counting my lucky stars that life has slowed way down for myself. Looking forward to enjoying it for a good tens years to come.

I'd place an add along with the title of POND KIT. MAYBE A RECOMENDED SIZE so when someone looking to build a pond does a search you'll come up after all no know is going to have a clue what a performance pro artisan high head is or what it can do list it as a kit would be the best way to dump it all as a package you may not get as much per item but I bet over all time spent would be well worth to dump it all at once
Ps if you have known items
Ike aquascapes get them in the title

 

[Lisak1]

feel like I made a mistake, a small pondless waterfall might have been a better way to go.

Let's not get pond negative here. In my reality, my pond is SO MUCH LESS WORK than the grass I used to have to fertilize, mow, trim, rake, etc etc etc. Not a whole lot of enjoyment out of that. I also have a small pondless - love, love LOVE it, but I don't get anywhere near the joy or relaxation or stress-relief that I get from my pond. The fish, the plants, the water, the constantly changing views. It's been a game changer for me. To put it in perspective, my husband has a medical condition that makes travel nearly impossible for us, so we don't really "vacation". So my pond is it - my vacation spot. Will there come a time when the pond chores ARE too much for me? Probably. But luckily I know a few good pond companies that I will happily pay to keep things in tip top shape. I just don't want someone new to ponds to read these kinds of messages and think building a pond woudl be a mistake. A POORLY CONSTRUCTED pond would be a mistake. A well built eco-system pond will be a joy for many many years.

ANYWAY - @mrsclem I do get that times change, lives change, priorities change. No shade on you AT ALL. You've been at this a long time. I would try a facebook marketplace listing in your area to start and gauge the interest of pond people in your area. I might also reach out to local pondbuilders - if you know any who are really good - and ask if they happen to know of anyone who might be interested in building a pond but the investment is too high. Or maybe they know of a school or retirement home that is considering adding a pond for students or old folks to enjoy and could re-purpose your equipment. Being realistic about what anything used goes for these days will help - when someone is looking for used, they're looking to save a bundle. Like @GBBUDD said - I'd list it as all or nothing. I wouldn't get into selling components or you'll be at it for the rest of your days!

Good luck to you - I hope you can find a wonderful home for your ponds!

 

[sissy]

I am 71 and life never slowed down for me . I think I make more work for mysellf . Yesterday mowing and edging over 3 acres and some pond bridge repair . Plus vacuuming and cleaning windows on the house , plus making food for hubby and doing laundry , hanging it out and then bringing it back in and folding . Today trimming dead branchs I saw on trees while mowing and cleaning inside and outside of 3 vehicals . Plus need to grease lawnmowers and check spindles and belts . How do you do it GBBUDD

 

[GBBUDD]

1. I don't have three acres to cut.
2. I'm polish and stubborn
3. I can't sit still for very long the mind never stops I'll think or see something and yeah I can punch that out.
4. It helps having 45 plus years of construction under your belt. And having the right tool for the right job.
As the wife says I'm the right tool alright

 

[Pablo]

Let's not get pond negative here. In my reality, my pond is SO MUCH LESS WORK than the grass I used to have to fertilize, mow, trim, rake, etc etc etc. Not a whole lot of enjoyment out of that. I also have a small pondless - love, love LOVE it, but I don't get anywhere near the joy or relaxation or stress-relief that I get from my pond. The fish, the plants, the water, the constantly changing views. It's been a game changer for me. To put it in perspective, my husband has a medical condition that makes travel nearly impossible for us, so we don't really "vacation". So my pond is it - my vacation spot. Will there come a time when the pond chores ARE too much for me? Probably. But luckily I know a few good pond companies that I will happily pay to keep things in tip top shape. I just don't want someone new to ponds to read these kinds of messages and think building a pond woudl be a mistake. A POORLY CONSTRUCTED pond would be a mistake. A well built eco-system pond will be a joy for many many years.

ANYWAY - @mrsclem I do get that times change, lives change, priorities change. No shade on you AT ALL. You've been at this a long time. I would try a facebook marketplace listing in your area to start and gauge the interest of pond people in your area. I might also reach out to local pondbuilders - if you know any who are really good - and ask if they happen to know of anyone who might be interested in building a pond but the investment is too high. Or maybe they know of a school or retirement home that is considering adding a pond for students or old folks to enjoy and could re-purpose your equipment. Being realistic about what anything used goes for these days will help - when someone is looking for used, they're looking to save a bundle. Like @GBBUDD said - I'd list it as all or nothing. I wouldn't get into selling components or you'll be at it for the rest of your days!

Good luck to you - I hope you can find a wonderful home for your ponds!

I dont think one little sentence in a reply is going to convince people one way or the other to build a pond. Was just stating how I felt. Everyone will have different opinions. I am not blaming anyone for my mistake, I should have been better prepared for what was involved and that is on me. I will keep quiet now.

 

[Lisak1]

N

I will keep quiet now.

Now don't get twisted. Historically we've had this subject come up from time to time and it's amazing how many people DO take one thing they read and decide it's the gospel truth. "Ponds are a lot of work". I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that - maybe I could pay for this dang pond haha - and lots of times from people who've never even HAD a pond. They just "heard it" somewhere.

And you are right - everyone's pond experience (and life experience) will be different. Hopefully you'll get a few years down the road and will be glad you did go for it.

 

[GBBUDD]

I bet the daughter on there way to college and the changes within the house hold as well as a nice new bill coming in has stolen a lot of the free time you had just a year a go .
Hire a pool guy the MRs will love you for it.

 

[mrsclem]

So my 2 ponds were built for raising and selling koi. I so wish I could have e a pond like so many members here with a natural pond.
Sold a large amount of koi to someone several years ago and contacted him. He's willing to take the rest. That just leaves me to decide what to do about 2nd pond.
Equipment and supplies will go with garden shed sales as we have hired a lawn service.

 

[Tula]

Could you consider water gardening with the second pond, without fish ? I did that my last season, but discovered without the koi nibbling on algae, it grew pretty fast !

 

[mrsclem]

I'm trying to decide which pond to remove and keep with a few goldfish and fill with lotus. Both are above ground but have a big bog on koi pond.

 

[Lisak1]

@mrsclem show us what you've got and we'll help you decide! I mean, we won't be helping with any of the actual work, but we can definitely do our part with opinions - haha!