Recent content by enrgizerbunny

I think guppies will offer the greatest variety of color and choice. I believe they'll tolerate water as low as 50F but don't quote me on that. Either way 40 gallons is easy to heat if needed. There's definitely subtropical aquarium fish that will fit the bill.

Common carp are not in "every water way" and are very much considered invasive. Just like Alabama bass in largemouth waters. Triploid grass carp are commonly used for weed control because they cannot reproduce. That may be what you are referring to. They are usually introduced at 7-9" so they...

40 gallons? I wouldn't put anything besides some rosy red minnows or mosquito fish in it unless you have a bigger one to move up to. If your water doesn't get to cold or you can put a heater in it - your options are greater. You COULD use a sponge filter, but they make "all in one" filters that...

Another opinion that you should change with just tap water unless there is something chemically wrong with your water that would be a danger to your fish. By not modifying your tap water you take one more variable out of the equation when you do have an issue. The fish also aren't subject to...

Larger stones that the fish can't eat would work, but I think that would present a cleaning challenge. Sand works well and you can get it in different colors.

Definitely get a system down to perform water changes. You're going to need them weekly sooner than you think! Personally, I believe koi belong in ponds when they're adults. Big ponds, not the 250 gallon plastic garden ponds you get at Lowe's. 500+gallons.

One of the new koi babies.

Long time update: Tickled to death lately. I finally have crystal clear water. Combination of proper mechanical filtration plus 900gph going through a UV light. It's been working great this year, proof in the pudding when I clean the filter and the slight cloudiness goes away. The stones /items...

Is there a particular reason that you winter your fish indoors? Koi and goldfish are very cold hardy, especially with a pond that size. You would need to stop feeding them early-mid fall though, before water temps drop. If it's all personal choice that's well and fine, I'm just wondering.

Yes the thread is ancient but I have to disagree with you. Anecdotal, but adding potassium carbonate raised my pH about double or more that of sodium bicarbonate. I use calcium carbonate in my filter to buffer my pond (like 5 gallons of oyster shells) and it raises my pH- albeit slowly and...

This is from this morning. I did finally get slate around the perimeter.

Yeah the koi are running with the goldies. The big goldfish are traumatized from when I tried to get rid of all of them and I think they influence the others. But they're all slowly warming up.

Slowly earning their trust back so that they don't dive to the bottom every time I walk up.

Brought home two standard koi yesterday and added them to the pond with the gazillion Goldies.

I recommend planning better than I did. It'll make life easy long term. I did some things right along the way, but there are plenty I won't do again.