New To Ponds And Freshwater

Ive had reef tanks for 30+ years and never owned a freshwater tank nor pond.

I’m looking for some guidance on a small pond. It’s a rectangular 210 gallon pond. About 24” deep by 5’ long and 3’ wide.

I’d like to have a small fountain and put a few Koi and maybe a couple plants in it.

What do you recommend for a filter? I’ve been told a pondmaster. What size pump? Are there any other things I should add?

Where do you recommend purchasing the Koi from?

What plants would be good?

Also, what’s the ph supposed to be?

 

Do comets instead of koi. If you really have your heart set on koi only get 1 as they get very large and that size is too small for even 1. Carp are hardy fish so you have a wide ph range. Under 8.5 and over 6 would be fairly safe.

 

5' x 3' is too small for koi. a couple of Comet or Shubunkin goldfish would do well.

 

Do comets instead of koi. If you really have your heart set on koi only get 1 as they get very large and that size is too small for even 1. Carp are hardy fish so you have a wide ph range. Under 8.5 and over 6 would be fairly safe.

Thank you

 

You don't need to get a crazy pump either. Get a book called The Tub Pond Handbook. As a reefkeeper, you will understand the balance your contained ecosystem can achieve with little input from you other than clean water and light. A pond is similar. And you don't have to buy lights, and most of your water changes can come from On High Much like a reef, it will take a couple months to get settled in and go through all the typical stuff - algae, cloudy water, etc. etc. and then you'll get up one morning and it'll be clear and you're good. I set mine up in March of this year. In a 110 gallon livestock tank, I have four comets, lots of plants, I feed maybe once a week only if it's hot, and I've done a total of three water changes. It's my favorite freshwater tank I've ever had.

 

I had a 130g pond similar to yours, and used a box filter similar to. I got tired of having to fish it out for cleaning so switched to one of. Sorry, but can't remember the pump I used.