Good day everyone! My first post .

I have constructed my first pond, and like everything else it seems I started it on a whim and left it late in the season. It is varying sizes, but on average is about 5 feet wide, 8 feet long, and between 2 and 4 feet deep.

After weeks of digging, shaping, CHANGING THE SHAPE, and finally getting a good underlay into it, I went to town for a liner. (I live in a very rural area). And of course discovered I couldn't get on within a 4 hour drive!! And the price was outrageous! So I did the next best thing....EBAY!

Unfortunately it wont get here until next week. I know this is way to late in the year to attempt getting fish into it, as the nights are already getting chilly in Eastern Canada, but I was wondering if it is already too late to get some plants into it. I hate to have it finally built, filled, etc....and sitting empty.

I wish it were all ready because a friend of my wifes was over last night and asked if I wanted her gold fish (5 of them) because she was going to flush them!!!! I convinced her to wait on that, but don't know for how long she will hold off. They are her kids fish in a little bowl...poor things (the fish, not the kids!).

Anyway, any insight would be greatly appreciated!

BTW, what an awesome site you have Robyn!! I did ZERO research before I started my pond and wish I had found your site sooner. I have since been reading it daily and will continue to do so until I have made it through everything (hope my boss doesn't read this since I do my reading at work!!! The amount of time you must put into such a site is mind boggling, so a great big thank you is deserved!!!)

what a great memory for those kids. <_< Can't say about timing for the pond but how about if you can't set up an aquarium..a tub setup? Welcome to the board and you've got alot of enjoyment and reading ahead of you. :D

Hi SadieMay,

I really don't have any place to set up an aquarium unfortunately. I think I can convince her (re. guilt her) into hanging on to the little fellas until spring when I am ready for them.I'm sure one mention to the kids that their fish will have a nice big new home (ass opposed to taking the crapper dive) and that they can come visit them when they want should be enough to get them on my side (I know, not fair turning the kids against their mom, but it seems only fair! lol).

After further consideration I don't think I will try adding anything to the pond this year. There just isn't enough time. It will have to wait until spring.I will have to content myself with working on the landscaping around it and such until then.

So having decided this raises 2 more questions:

1. Is it safe to put the liner in with nothing in the pond for the winter, and
2. Should I fill it with water or leave it empty and fill it in the spring?

So many questions, so little knowledge!! :D

Welcome to the world of ponding!

I don't know how cold it is there (near 100 degrees F here earlier this week!) but as long as the pond water is above about 55 degrees F, you can add fish and plants. It may be shocking to the fish if they go from 75 to 55 degrees quickly though so you'd have to do it slowly. After filling the pond, you should aerate and run it for at least a week before adding fish. Plants can be added right away. Because it's late in the season for you, it does make sense to wait until spring. That will allow the pond to stabilize and for you to iron out any kinks in its operation. You will also learn how the pond does in winter. I would practice trying to keep a hole open in the ice if you plan to overwinter fish outdoors in the future.

You can certainly put in the liner, fill it, and not add anything to it for now. Insects and other animals will move in on their own as long as it's not too cold. Animals will also drink from the pond. I would fill the pond instead of leave it empty. That reduces the chance of the sides caving in. Plus, it lets you practice your ponding as I mentioned. You can also finish off your landscaping.

When it's time to put away all your yard furniture, don't forget to leave one chair or bench out. You'll need it. :rolleyes: I guarantee you will be out at the pond in the middle of winter..beautiful clear day, neighbors thinking your nuts, and your mind doing flip flops on expanding/designing ideas. :blink: Look into the NOTICES section under GENERAL COMMENTS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE ADDICTED WHEN....and you'll know what I mean. lol

That is so true, SadieMay!!! Welcome, Route3drummer!! Where in Canada do you live and what are your high and low temps this time of the year? It is scorching HOT in TN!!

Thanks for the comments/advice all! As eager as I am to get SOMETHING alive in my big ol' water hole, I suspect it may be better to hold off. Having said that, once the liner is in and it has sat for a while I may not be able to resist!! hahaha

Maybe just one or two little plants....maybe a fish or two...then maybe....AH, have broken already! :lol:

I am in New Brunswick, on the east coast. We have very similar climate as most of New England I guess.

Our day time temps are still very nice. In the 80's today, and had a few days getting well over 90 last week. By the end of August the day time temps should still be in the 70 to 75 range. Nights are getting colder. Currently around 60-65, and by months end probably around a steady 60 degrees. September should drop all temps by about 10 degrees, but we still get some nice weather.

It's really the start of Oct. before we start getting very cool weather.....hmmmm, I may have talked myself into getting a start this year!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

...and that's a great point Robyn about the sides caving in if left empty! Hadn't thought of that, so glad it was pointed out!!! :huh:

and unfortunately I already completely understand the "leaving out a lawn chair" comment!! Quite without realising how it happened the other day I found myself just standing there looking at it and pondering it....in the pouring rain! hahaha

My wife just rolls her eyes :rolleyes: , and my band mates think I'm a complete loon and don't see the point.

I, however, have always LOVED working outside on landscaping projects, and have some big perennial stone gardens that I have made over the years, tore down, moved, rebuilt...you get the point. Come nice weather it is what I enjoy.

Actually about 20 minutes ago my wife and I were outside and I looked at our old oak tree and told her that if I cut that tree down that would be the PERFECT spot for another pond!! hahahaha B)

My pond is about 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, with one end being about 1 1/2 feet deep and the other end over 3 feet deep. If I don't have time to get any vegetation growing in it this year (which is looking to be the case), would gold fish survive the winter you think if I have a good deicer and keep them fed? Only talking 4 or 5 small gold fish (couple inches long). It looks like these poor fellas are heading to the gallows if I can't take them before winter and I have no where inside for an aquarium. :(

As long as you can keep a hole in the ice there, a few goldfish should be ok. I'm not positive if 3 feet deep is enough in your area but since your pond is small enough, a de-icer with an air stone near it should keep a hole open. If you can't add plants yet, put in some things in which the goldfish can hide on the bottom like clean clay pots, PVC pipes, milk crates, etc.

Great, thanks Robyn.
I just went out and measured it and it is closer to 4 feet deep, so hopefully they will be ok. I'll put some stuff in for them to hide/play around. Do I feed them all Winter (probably a stupid question)? :unsure:

I have a floating thermometer that has a label on the top reminding me at what temp to feed what...and when to stop feeding altogether. :huh:

As SadieMay said, put in a thermometer. You don't want to feed anything once it goes below 55 degrees F although I on rare occasions give something when it's in the low 50's degrees F.