Need advice about container ponds!!

[Jo Lewis]

Hi, I've been doing loads of research lately but don't really feel I'm getting anywhere, just more confused!!
I have 3 young children and last year decided to make a little container pond for the garden as something interesting for them. It worked well and attracted various little creatures and about a million pond snails! Unfortunately, it also attracted gnats and mosquitoes and it is always full of larvae!! So this year, to counteract that problem and also for a nice addition to the garden I thought I would try getting a larger container (maybe 90 litres) and adding some fish. This is as far as my plan has gone though as I am so confused!! When I first looked up container ponds they were all suggesting adding fish but now I'm not sure if the container would be big enough. Also I can't work out if I would need a filter, all websites seem to contradict each other!! I also have to choose between full sun or full shade. At the moment my little one's in full sun but I wouldn't want the heat to harm the fish.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks.

 

[Lisak1]

We have a 40 gallon patio pond and every year I pull three or four goldfish from our big pond to add to the container. My pond gets about five or six hours of sunlight a day. It has a shelf for plants built in that the fish use as a little hiding spot. I make sure to have some plants (parrots feather, floating plants, a small water lily, etc) to provide additional shade. No filter - just an airstone.

Hope that helps!

 

[Jo Lewis]

Yes it does!
Thank you very much!!

 

[sissy]

you can get mosquito dunks also .I use them in my stock tanks and in my rain barrels .If you want a nice fish that does not breed then get fantails they are slow also and children will love there butt wiggle to get around and they do not breed as fast as goldfish

 

[Tula]

you can get mosquito dunks also .I use them in my stock tanks and in my rain barrels .If you want a nice fish that does not breed then get fantails they are slow also and children will love there butt wiggle to get around and they do not breed as fast as goldfish

I didn't realize that fan tails don't breed, or breed very slowly. How hardy are they sissy? As I look to the future, I think of having just a few fish, that would be less work and not multiply

 

[Jo Lewis]

Thanks, yes I was wondering if a couple of fantails might be a good idea. Just hoping they're fast enough to dodge the local cats!

 

[sissy]

I have had mine since 2004 and they even went through a blizzard that was almost a disaster after pump got knocked over and almost emptied the pond .I have not had 1 baby from them .They are very slow moving

 

[addy1]

I didn't realize that fan tails don't breed, or breed very slowly. How hardy are they sissy? As I look to the future, I think of having just a few fish, that would be less work and not multiply

They are doing fine in my pond. Seem to be pretty hardy.