I am hoping to get my pond up and running this weekend (weather permitting). I am wondering when is the earliest I should be planning on adding a few more gold fish. There is still snow all around the pond itself, so I am sure the water is still very cold. Would it be too much of a shock to their system if I took a fish from a stores warm tanks and put it in the pond, even taking into account acclimatizing it over an hour or so in the store bag?

Derrick

Yes, it would be shocking for the fish to go from warm tanks to a cold pond. I would wait until the water temperature is at least 60 degrees F. Sorry if it's a long wait!

I shall build a large fire beside my pond then to raise the water temp! LOL, just kidding.
Guess I knew the answer to that question, was just hoping someone would say it was ok to do!!! :D :lol:

I'm so impatient...it really is my only flaw. :blink:

Derrick

Derrick could we get a verification on your flaw list from the DW. ;) . On the serious side I would wait like Robin said even if it was to just to make sure your existing fish have come through the winter healthy. Just my 2 cents.

FM3

Derrick, I added my fish to the clay pond last year on May 1st. I put them in a very large rubbermaid container with the water they were in over the winter, then added a few cups of the pond water at a time until the temp was the same as the pond. I did this over 8 hours and they were fine. I doubt they were very happy about it though! Patience is a virtue! Now stop that crazy talk of adding fish for another MONTH!!!!!! :o

Consider me properly scolded..... :(

Froggy, I'm sure the DW would love to verify my statement, but she seems to be busy at the moment! :rolleyes:

Derrick

I had a dream...and in my dream the 3 little fish in my pond (2 shubbies and a comet) scolded me because they were lonely and wanted more friends to play with. I tried to explain to them that it is probably still too cold, but they just wouldn't listen. They said it was just chilly, not cold, and if there were more of them in the pond they would be warmer......oh, they are convincing little devils! For every argument I had, they had a counter, every time I thought I had one of them convinced the other two would jump in. Those fiendish little fish wore me down...until I eventually agreed they should have some more friends in their pond.

It's a darn good thing I have to drive a half hour to even get to a WalMart! hahaha

I think I can hold out for another week...maybe 2 at the most....but I am weak, and know I will crack and get some more fish soon!! :o :blink: :blink: :unsure: :P

Derrick

LOL LOL, well I can't give you anymore scolding because I too am tempted to get a couple more fish for the new little deck pond, lol, even though I have lots more in the house to put out! I am eyeing up a couple of shubunkins at the local Walmart also ;-) Lets have a bet on who gives in first!!!!

hahaha...you're on! They don't call me Mr. Willpower for nothing....actually, come to think of it, no one has ever called me Mr. Willpower...damn. ;)

Hey Derrick,
I also talk to my fish. And they always have something to say back.
Why, just the other day one of them told me that he was going to ....

Hold on, I just re-read your post ... that was a dream you were talking about!
Uhhhh, nevermind.... :mellow:

Let us know what you get at WalMart ... Mr. Willpower. :P

PG

heehee...well, it will be a couple of weeks yet at least. I have to get my pump in, my filter back up and running, my plants raised....that should take a week or two. THEN I can start thinking about some additions.

I only have 3 guys in the pond now (2 shubokens and a comet), but I have seen all 3 of them cruising around. I figure I could add another 4 or 5 easy when the time comes.

Anyone know a good, cold water (meaning can winter outside) algae eater? Something that isn't HUGE would be nice! LOL

Derrick

Actually, I think between the plants and some tadpoles I am adding, algae shouldn't be an issue anyway....so forget I mentioned it!!! :lol: