A Few Questions For New Pond Owner

So I FINALLY got my pond on the patio for my 35 cent common goldfish (pond ran about $700 with electrical changes, so go figure). She's still in the tank inside right now. I really don't want to do a fish in cycle with her so I am attempting a fishless cycle just like I do on my inside tanks. A few questions while I wait...
1.) My patio is covered but rain does come in around the edges and my pond is in a corner by an edge. Is rain water ok for the fish? I imagine it is but want to double check. Do the fish swim out if the pond gets too full by the rain? I live in Texas and we can easily get 10 - 15" of rain a few times a summer.
2.) How often do I need to change water in a 125 gallon pond?
3.) Do I continue to check water parameters as I do with my tanks?
4.) What plants would do good in the shade?
5.) This year it snowed but normally our winters are pretty mild. When it gets below freezing, do I need to do anything special. The pond is only about 24" deep.
6.) Can I just use the same Prime and meds in the pond that I use in my tanks?

I'm sure there will be more questions but this is it for now. Thanks in advance for any and all guidance anyone can give. I will post a pic once we have it all completed (still building the wall around it).

 

I am not sure I have no experience with such a small pond I never cycle pond before just dichloride and two hours add fish as well never change water also make sure you have overflow outlet so when is rain water will run out....
PS last pond I made was $890 and it was 4000.gal with equipment plus UV Sterilizer..

 

Thanks anyway for taking the time to read.

 

Thanks anyway for taking the time to read.

Normally pond should be at least 4 feet deep for fish to hide as well during winter when they go to I call it sleep LOL. they shouldn't be bother or fed.. plants wise water lettuce, Water Hyacinths will do well so is hardy water lilies..

 

In our old house before I knew about this forum, we used to keep koi in a 100 gallon pond about 4-5 feet deep in our back yard and kept them in there all winter, gets about -20.

Always just filled with the hose or let the rain water fill it up.
Have had plenty of times where the pond was overfilled from the rain. Most people have the opposite problem because they don’t use enough shade around their pond. We used a tree and hostas

In my opinion I don’t think you need to do anything when it gets a little below freezing besides maybe fast them a bit before hand.

Again these are just the things we did before I knew more. Only thing I’d change is decholonator and maybe some meds but even then are biggest koi was 6-7 years old when I moved.

Good luck sounds like fun

 

Thanks so much for the info. I had forgotten about fasting them during extreme cold.

 

Normally pond should be at least 4 feet deep for fish to hide as well during winter when they go to I call it sleep LOL. they shouldn't be bother or fed.. plants wise water lettuce, Water Hyacinths will do well so is hardy water lilies..

This was a preformed pond so I couldn't control the depth. That's why I chose to place it on the patio under cover and next to the house. Most of my outdoor plants don't freeze there so fingers crossed. I'm close to Galveston so we don't get many bad winters...this one being an exception. I did take your advice and ordered some water lettuce. Unfortunately, we can't purchase Water Hyacinths in Texas.

 

I did take your advice and ordered some water lettuce. Unfortunately, we can't purchase Water Hyacinths in Texas.

Where did you buy water lettuce?!, a lot of sites/nurseries say water lettuce is (a Invasive weed, so is hyacinth I know) but i've seen several places sell hyacinth around where I live just not water lettuce...

 

Got it off eBay.