pilotfox01 said:
Hi everybody, i just finshed building my pond. Its just under 200 gallons, i used a pond kit to make it. I'm new to ponds but I have been keeping aquarium fish for a few years. I have a few questions. Do I need a heater? Should I leave my filter on 24/7? (Its rated 300gal/hr) Should I be adding any chemicals? What type of plants and fish should I get? Should I cover it to avoid predators? Well thats it for now thanks.
P.S. the pond is 5 by 4 ft and 1.4 ft deep
OK,, you will need a de-icer for the winter, but for the summer season, no.
I keep goldfish, I think that would be good for you also, as Koi would get too big.
Leave the filter on all the time during spring,summer, fall.
Your choices for plants are endless, but you should definitley have a water lily, some water irises and a few floating plants, such as water lettuce, or water hyacinth. Also get some submerged plants, they help with oxygentation, and give fish a place to hide if any predators come around. Don't buy tropical plants, get hardy ones, they come back year after year.
The only concern I have is with your depth. Wisconsin has pretty cold winters, that depth could freeze solid. However, I'm in Maryland, so you would prolly know better than me.
I only cover my pond fall through early spring, to keep leaves out. Others use the netting all year long, but to me, it ruins the whole look of the pond. if no net, buy cheap fish! if you lose some, no big investment.
http://www.marylandaquatic.com/Retail/about_man.cfm
This site has many pond plants, good place to browse, see what you might like. Do a google search for pond plants and you'll find a ton of websites.
Hope this helps!