just wondering... do you have to cycle a pond like a fish tank??

[maxwellag]

I am just curious if you have to cycle it like an aquarium...

 

[Bubble_B0y]

quite simply, Yes!

 

[Mattefect]

Definitely .........

 

[Bubble_B0y]

Ponds have to support LARGE fish with HUGE bioloads like koi and goldfish.
So cycling is very critical - perhaps even moreso than tanks.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

Probably not one of those public ponds like you see in parks, but small ponds maybe.

 

[LyndaB]

If it were a natural pond, would you still have to cycle? Or is cycling only necessary when it's a man-made pond?

 

[Mattefect]

Cycling is necessary in every case when you add new water that hasn't cycled. It's to get the bacteria levels so the fish can survive

 

[LyndaB]

Yes, that makes sense (if you're adding water).

The OP's question made me think of this piece of property for sale that has a really great large pond on it (it abuts a forested park). I'm always wondering if that pond could be used, as is, for fish or if anything would need to be done to maintain it. Of course, I will never be able to buy that property in this lifetime, but in my next one, I would do readings and such just to see where my levels were.

But I'm left wondering if a natural pond is fish-ready. Common sense tells me yes, after careful acclimation, but I may be entirely wrong on this one.

 

[Mattefect]

Haha That's a good question I'm sire the water is ready but maybe there's diseases in the water?? Maybe

 

[Bubble_B0y]

I would assume a natural pond would have an established mini-ecosystem - especially considering its existed for hundreds of years.