Hi
I am new to the pond world and hope you all can give me some great advice. I am going to be filling my pond approx. 7,000 gal and would like to know if there is anything I should add to the water when filling it up. I will be using water from the hose. I know I should get a test kit and test the water after it is full. Any test kits suggestions? About how long should I wait to add fish and plants? I am also making a waterfall and would like to know if you think I need to put padding under the liner? Thanks for your help!
Donna :)

Hi Donna and welcome to the forum! That is a nice size pond you have! I don't put anything in my pond except for de chlorinator on the first fill. I don't use salt. Lots of people use salt, so you will see lots of conflict on that topic! I use the Laguna Pond test kit with good results. I think as long as your levels are good you can add fish right away. I wouldn't overstock it. Let your filter system get working good before adding toooo toooo many fish. That will probably take a couple of months with that volume. I would think you could easily add about 20 fish to start??? I start with common goldfish as they are hardy and can put up with alot until your levels are good. Always put padding under any lining you do. You can never have too much and better safe than sorry! Good luck and PLEASE post pictures :D

Thanks for info how do I post a picture?

Welcome!

The only thing you have to add to your pond water if you have city water is dechlorinator. Some pond salt can be helpful. I suggest 0.05%. I don't really have a test kit brand preference; I've gotten many kinds. Aerate the water well for a day. You can then add plants. Wait a few weeks to add the fish but you can buy them and quarantine them during that time to treat them for potential problems if you want. By the time you add the fish, the pond will be stable and growing algae and insect larvae on which the fish can feed.

In my waterfall, the builders put extra scraps of liner on top of the main liner before setting the heavier rocks. Some kind of underliner under the liner is a good idea (sand, felt, etc.).

To post photos, you have to put the photo up on another web site and then link to it here. There are a lot of sites that let you do that.

Hi Donna, I use photobucket, it works well. You just have to copy the link and paste it to your post. Honestly, if I can figure it out, lol, it is pretty simple :lol: I have never waited to add fish, it is a good idea, but....I don't have the patience, LOL I have never lost a fish, maybe that is just dumb luck :P

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll197/D...mview=slideshow

Donna,
You have a very beautiful pond. Good luck!
Ellen

ThanksIwill send new pictures soon just finished planting.Hopefully we will be doing the waterfall next week