I posted a lot last fall (2018) about my new large goldfish pond which, over the summer, became the “pond of death” because of stupid newbie mistakes. Through the winter (north Idaho) we ran the waterfall and skimmer and below-surface input, but not the bottom drain, with a deicer in the skimmer and another deicer and shallow aerator at the entrance to the skimmer. No fish. A bit of ammonia added in the fall to boost biofilter growth (thanks, MitchM).
All looks good, water is crystal clear, good layer of winter algae waiting to be eaten, and temp at the drain (5’ deep) is up to 50 degrees. Time to plant and add fish.
My plan is to add a half-dozen colorful large 4”-5” comets and a half-dozen rosy red fathead minnows, as large as I can get them, as per MitchM’s advice.
I’d like advice on:
1) when shall I begin planting and adding fish?
2) what plants would be best for a north Idaho goldfish pond? I want to order and plant them full grown.
3) where can I order just a half-dozen rosy red minnows? Most places raise them as baitfish and sell them by the pound (hundreds).
4) I’ve read good things about Montmorillonite clay; shall i begin adding that, and how do you add it? Do you sprinkle it on the surface, or shake it up in a jar of water and pour the slurry in?
That’s all my questions for now. I appreciate everyone’s advice; I want to do it right this time (it broke my heart to inadvertently/stupidly kill all my fish last summer).
Pond setup:
10,000 gallons, 20’x25’x5’ at the bottom drain, Ultima ll filter/biofilter, koi toilet drain with aeration, Savio skimmer, waterfall and subsurface water returns, overbuilt for a goldfish pond.
Julia
All looks good, water is crystal clear, good layer of winter algae waiting to be eaten, and temp at the drain (5’ deep) is up to 50 degrees. Time to plant and add fish.
My plan is to add a half-dozen colorful large 4”-5” comets and a half-dozen rosy red fathead minnows, as large as I can get them, as per MitchM’s advice.
I’d like advice on:
1) when shall I begin planting and adding fish?
2) what plants would be best for a north Idaho goldfish pond? I want to order and plant them full grown.
3) where can I order just a half-dozen rosy red minnows? Most places raise them as baitfish and sell them by the pound (hundreds).
4) I’ve read good things about Montmorillonite clay; shall i begin adding that, and how do you add it? Do you sprinkle it on the surface, or shake it up in a jar of water and pour the slurry in?
That’s all my questions for now. I appreciate everyone’s advice; I want to do it right this time (it broke my heart to inadvertently/stupidly kill all my fish last summer).
Pond setup:
10,000 gallons, 20’x25’x5’ at the bottom drain, Ultima ll filter/biofilter, koi toilet drain with aeration, Savio skimmer, waterfall and subsurface water returns, overbuilt for a goldfish pond.
Julia
