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I got one of those little pre-formed ponds, 35 gal, 4 ft acrost, only 18'' deep. I have 4 small (1.5 in) comets. I had a fountain pump going, but it kept getting plugged. I tried putting a pantyhose around it, but it still got plugged... it just took longer! So, any Ideas?
I'm also worried about the goldfish. I've had them for almost a month, and I see all the pictures of ponds with these swarms of goldfish near the surface... mine sitck to the bottom, only swimming some distance when spooked, from one shelter to another. We don't have any filtration, but are planning to get a biological filter.

If pets are so stupid, how did they weasel free room and board out of us?

First and foremost, your goldfish are going to get way too large for the size of "pond" that you currently have them in. They require much larger housing than that currently being provided.

As far as the pump is concerned, they do make a housing that most pumps will fit into that have sponge filters and bio-balls that will help with the filtration and help keep it from getting clogged.

Your fish are still just getting use to their new surroundings and once they are comfortable with it, trust me they will be at the surface waiting to be fed anytime you come near the pond.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

"Watergarden" then. Yeah, I'm planning to make another one. I think I'll use a stocktank (Cleaned and disinfected), maybe 500-1000 gal, I don't know what stocktank I'll use. I think I'll then dig a shallower hole , mabye 18'', around it, so we don't just suddenly have a 4' drop.

If pets are so stupid, how did they weasel free room and board out of us?

The stock tank sounds like a good idea as far as the size is concerned. I've seen them used for this before and with bit of landscaping around them can make a very effective and attractive pond.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

When looking for a stock tank, stay away from the metal ones. They are harmfull to your fish and get very hot. Keep in mind when you put your tank in the ground, the lower you go, the more stable the water temperature will be.

Is there any way to coat the inside of the stocktank so it's safe? We only have metal ones..... It will be underground almost completely. (Maybe 5 or six inches above the ground) We have a pond (Natural,mucky) and it has lots of wild lilies that now have these big, white, flowers. My mom says that people have fallen out of boats trying to pull lilies up, and I don't know how deep it is, and I would rather NOT find out myself But is there a way to propemgate it from the stem?

P.S- I've never heard or seen of anything BUT metal stocktanks...Are they not that common? I guess they arn't... at least here.

If pets are so stupid, how did they weasel free room and board out of us?

Rubbermaid's site has rubber stock tanks, IIRC.



I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

Thanks

If pets are so stupid, how did they weasel free room and board out of us?

To make a metal tank safe, your best bet would be to use a rubber liner in it. Overheating would not be a problem if the tank is mostly buried. You might be able to use an epoxy spray or rubberized paint to coat the tank. You might ask at your local hardware store about paint for submerged conditions.
To propagate lilies you will need to dig down to the rhizome. It is the thick rootstock from which the lily stems shoot out. The rhizome can be broken up and transplanted to make new plants. I do this every fall when they go dormant. Keep in mind that most lilies need a minimum of 2.5 to 3 feet of water to grow properly.

Drat. I was hoping you could just propememgate it by stem, but maybe my pond's not too deep..hopefully.
There's this big waterboatmen-type bug livin in there too... 2 in.... Is that good? He's (She's) too small to hurt the fish, and they can't hurt it.

If pets are so stupid, how did they weasel free room and board out of us?