Can I still stock pond?

[gloria]

Hi all,
I live in Southern Connecticut and have a 1500+ gallon 3 foot deep pond with waterfall. It's been running for three months and all parameters are good. I have 2 koi and five Lily plants. Is it too late in the season to put more fish in the pond?

 

[Faebinder]

It depends on your water temperature. If the water temp is hitting 50s, then it's too late.

 

[Gemma]

Hi Gloria,
what is your hardiness zone?
Would the fish have at least a couple of months to settle in before the cold ?
Me, I'd wait till Spring time, after the temps starts to stabilize.

 

[MitchM]

I would say you're close to the maximum number of fish now.
How many more/what kind do you want to add?

 

[Faebinder]

I would say you're close to the maximum number of fish now.
How many more/what kind do you want to add?

You don't think she can get away with two more assuming adequate filtration?

 

[Tula]

gloria, If it were me, I'd concentrate more on preparing your pond for it's first winter

 

[Tula]

You don't think she can get away with two more assuming adequate filtration?

I have 4 koi in 1700 gallons....which is my firm limit.

 

[MitchM]

You don't think she can get away with two more assuming adequate filtration?

I prefer to have a pond that is "set it and forget it", so it's up to the individual.
More fish always means more filtration and water quality issues.

 

[IPA]

It depends on your water temperature. If the water temp is hitting 50s, then it's too late.

This seems like good advice, and if not now, how soon until this threshold is reached?

 

[gloria]

Thanks everyone. I'm in hardiness zone 7a. I'm thinking 2 more fish.

 

[Gemma]

Thanks everyone. I'm in hardiness zone 7a. I'm thinking 2 more fish.

I would love to see your koi!

 

[j.w]

2 more fish would prolly be fine but I'd wait till Spring to get them.

 

[Faebinder]

Thanks everyone. I'm in hardiness zone 7a. I'm thinking 2 more fish.

You should be able to add one now and one more in spring. 7a is not too bad this week and next week. Only problem is that you wont have time to quarantine before the weather tanks.

 

[gloria]

Do you think so need to quarantine if all fish have come from Blue Ridge Fish hatchery? Here is my pond. It was a 2000gallon kit but I conservatively say 1500 gallons due to the rock I put in. The top pic is a smaller pond that was at my old house, it was 400 gallons with 6+ fish. I used to clean filters a lot but it was this way the 6 years I had it until I moved.

 

[mrsclem]

Any fish coming from one place to another needs to be quarantined! Bacteria and parasites exist in all pond water but differ from one pond to another. What is normal in one pond could be a major problem in another.