Spring is coming soon

[OldMan]

I tried my first tub pond last year and was delighted at the improvement in the fish who spent their summer vacation outdoors. Now that spring is giving a hint of being around the corner, I saw my first red winged blackbird of the season last week, I was hoping one of the experienced pond people could help us beginners. I have fish that will adapt well to 50F, 10C, and I want to move them out as soon as I reasonably can.
I can set up the tub in a good spot, fill it with water, get my filter and fountain ready to run again, etc. My main concern is about how to go about getting the fish acclimated when I am actually ready to move them. One thought that I had was to get everything in place and then choose a warm day to fill the tub with 65F water, similar to their winter home, and plunk the fish right in. That way they would start out one morning in water that they already are accustomed to and just have their temperature move with the outdoor air after the sun goes down. The cycled filter is not a problem, it will move with them from their winter tank. The down side that I see is that I wanted to get the water green before adding the fish. I don't see any way to have both a nice green water tub and add all the water the day that I add the fish. Theoretically the green water is a real advantage for fish growing outdoors so I wanted to try that too.

[CACAdmin]

I agree that Spring is just around the corner. (Currently 7C here and going up to 9C). The first crocus and snowdrops are starting to appear. However, I think the rest of Canada is still in the throws of winter.

I start my nano pond early but never added fish until the summer when the daytime temps of the pond are on par with that of the tank (or relatively close) and thus am adding them to an established pond which is what you could do if you want to add them and have green water established in the pond.

Does the location of the pond get direct sunlight? Will it warm up sufficiently naturally? If not you could always warm the water the day you add the fish by possibly replacing 25-30% with pre-warmed water the day you add the fish.

What type of fish do you keep in your pond?

[OldMan]

Last year I kept some wild type green swords in the tub. this year I am thinking it is time to set out the Xenotoca eiseni instead. I think they could probably make better use of the tub for a much longer season and I can't wait to see what improvements they might show. The tub will get enough light to green up but I can't afford to put it too directly in the sunlight because it gets hot here in summer and I want the fish to survive.

[CACAdmin]

Sounds like a great idea. The only fish I've ever kept in my pond was some h. formosa and a couple of platys... all did well. Interestingly enough, while the hets did fine in the pond, I never did have success keeping them long term in a tank indoors.

[Pamelajo]

I think the rest of Canada is still in the throws of winter.

:yes::smile::frown::Holiday-1:

[CACAdmin]

Pam... at long last we are having normal seasonal temperatures (highs of 7-8C)... shall I try sending some your way? Of course none of this is anywhere near warm enough for ponds yet but the fun is in the planning.

[Pamelajo]

Yes please!!! Hurry!!

[Namor]

The scene here Wed. morning was very frosty.-
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/Namor_Sask/frost.jpg

Oldman, I'm in full support of your enthusiasm for spring and look forward to pics of your set-up.

[CACAdmin]

That looks beautiful but awfully cold :Holiday-1:. Will try sending spring your way too, Namor.

OldMan, I too look forward to seeing how you proceed with the pond this year. How soon does it start to warm up enough to think 'pond' there?

[OldMan]

I am thinking that average daily temperatures of 50 F, 10 C, should be plenty for my goodeids. That would mean about some time in early to mid April. The nominal date of last frost used by the farmers around here is May 15 but those pessimists would give away a month of good weather just in case of a short cold snap. I don't think the goodeids would care if the temperature dropped a few degrees for a day or so. I figure to set up the tub about April fool's and hope to move the fish a couple of weeks later.
On the other hand the temperature here today peaked at very near freezing and the low tonight is predicted at 15F, about -9C.

[Melody]

We have had so many nice, sunny days here that Spring seems like next week. I was going to send an e-mail to someone who only ships in warm months just this week! Then I remembered it's February and people in places that have a real Winter would laugh at me. :confused: Here's to British California, where we've been mowing our lawns for a week (seriously, my co-worker mowed his last weekend).

[OldMan]

Mel, I was out on my motorcycle 2 weeks ago when I went to my last club meeting but there is no way I would move it out of the garage at today's temperature. It was one of those mid winter thaws that happen but winter is far from over here. I am just trying to plan ahead.

[Pamelajo]

Beautiful pic Layton.

[OldMan]

Update. It was shirt sleeve weather here today and I couldn't wait any longer. I flipped the summer tub right side up, filled it with the hose and added a green water starter culture and a bit of garden fertilizer. This weekend is expected to get down around freezing for one day but I doubt the tub will really freeze. Daytime highs are fine for a light sweater or even a flannel shirt these days so I expect the water to stay liquid and start growing a little green water for my fish. I will be watching for the water to get back up to a decent temperature and will then start moving fish and a filter back out. The pond's filters, some sponges, have been running indoors all winter so they are cycled and ready to reconnect to the fountain pumping system.

[CACAdmin]

OldMan, I admire your eagerness to get the pond started. It has warmed up here but still a few degrees below normal... but there's hope for Spring.

[Melody]

I hope everyone has good luck with their Summer tubs & ponds! I enjoy reading about what worked and what didn't.

[OldMan]

I may have gotten a little ahead of spring with setting up the tub. The white stuff on the tub's rim is not any kind of artificial powder. Most had melted off by the time I got the picture. There is still a little sticking to the grass in front of the tub too. The forecast high today is about 10C but it is only up to about 5 so far.

[Pamelajo]

Hope you did not jinx the rest of us!! Please tell me you did not put the snow shovel away yet!

[CACAdmin]

The white stuff on the tub's rim is not any kind of artificial powder.:laugh: ...oh well, look at it this way, the temps will have likely killed off any nasties that might have decided to take up residence.

[Pamelajo]

Kill off nasties instead of spring?? I think I choose spring!!!!!!

[CACAdmin]

Me too Pam! :yes:

[OldMan]

The snow shovel is still available if needed but I sure don't expect to need it again this year.

[Melody]

Wouldn't an early set-up pave the way for a more natural environment and all sorts of yummy creatures? I'm thinking of it experiencing the season from start to finish. Regardless, I don't think it can be too early to set one up as long as we don't add the creatures too early, and I know you are already aware of that concern. Keep us posted, if you would please.

[OldMan]

My early setup was intended to give the green water a chance to get established before the water was warm enough for any creatures I would put in. I figure at least 3 or 4 weeks before I can add any fish. I don't have a good source for things like daphnia that I would add myself but who knows what will show up in green water with no fish in yet?

[Melody]

Exactly! And the environment to support them spontaneously appears outdoors. Anything that appears naturally is going to thrive with very little maintenance/assistance, if any. You can even give it a head start with water from a nearby pond or stream, preferrably one that contains fish.

[CACAdmin]

I love the whole natural concept. Set it up and let nature take it's course. We try to provide live organisms for the fish in our tanks but it's pretty much only that which we can culture ourselves. The outdoor environment avails them to so much natural food... not only algae, and bugs, but small protozoan creatures they would naturally feed on in the wild.

[OldMan]

The pond jump start is a great idea. I have a natural pond on a piece of property that could provide a great jump start. When one of my children brought a sample of that water to school for her biology class, her teacher was impressed with all the life in the water. The pond is well protected from man-made disturbances by being a bit remote on a 40 acre plot that I know doesn't get added chemicals because I am not using any.

[Killiejoe]

I am looking forward to seeing how your project works out with your goodeids. I have been asking around at what other types of fish people have tried in their tubs and ponds. I know one local club member has kept almost all danios in his ponds. I am going to try Tanichthys albonubes for sure. I may even try the Odessa Barb, they are such gorgeous fish and a nice group of them to grow out in my 55 gallon would be great. Sell them off as they get large and keep a few to breed in the pond again. What other types have people tried???

[sass]

We've had a few warm day here too and the ice in our stock tank/ pond has almost all melted. Thank goodness it didn't crack since I had forgotten to dump it last fall:rolleyes: .
Can't wait to get it filled and running.
I'm going to try your idea Melody and jump start it with some pond water. There's a pond up the road from us and I'm pretty sure it's spring fed and there's no way it could be contaminated since it's situated on top of a mountain. Very cool and secluded, and bug infested lol.

[Melody]

If there's larvae in it (or if there is before you add fish) you'll know it's ok. :yes: