Converting a Boat to Fish Pond

[unfiltered]

She is starting to breathe! I completed the electric connections and started filling the boat a little bit ago. I think it is really going to work out nicely. One thing that I noticed and did not take into consideration is the stern (back) of the boat is not as tall as other parts. I leveled the boat when I sunk it in the ground and because of this the water will not be quite as high in the front as the back. Based on some measurements that I have taken from the waterline to various sections of the boat it will be pretty close though. I will likely have to cut down the skimmer a bit but, won't know until it is completely full. Also will need to check closely for leaks. Overall I am very happy with it so far.

I was planning on adding only goldfish this season since cold weather is rapidly approaching. I have read they are good to help with the good bacteria. I am guessing this pond will be about 700 gallons when filled. I was thinking of adding 10 goldfish. Is that a good number?

How long should I wait before adding the goldfish?

 

[j.w]

Wow this is really cool and you have done it and turning out great! Let's see you are in zone 9 so you don't get too cold at all. If it was me I'd start out w/only a couple fish and go from there. You could add those now and let them be the ones who get your water started w/the good bacteria it needs to continue. Then after a few weeks maybe add a few more.

 

[cas]

Neat idea @unfiltered !

 

[IPA]

I did a fishless cycle using Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride. It took just under 1 month. As of this post chewy.com has the older concentrated formula in the 2 oz. at $2 which is enough for 200 gallons. As @j.w mentioned, you could start with just a few fish, maybe 3 to 5 of the hardy types like single tail comets and shubunkin and then add a few more once the cycle completes. The cycle will be slower in cooler weather. Invest in a test kit. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, high range pH, and KH are most useful. If you buy the API pond master you'll also get phosphate which is helpful to test the source water also.
Get some crushed oyster shells, rinse good and put in a filter bag; your KH, alkalinity, will probably stabilize at 8. Use baking soda initially to raise the KH which is needed for the cycling of the pond.

 

[unfiltered]

I am extremely happy with the way this turned out! Usually my projects around the house are disastrous but, so far this one seems to be going great. We got a good deal on aquatic plants because it is the end of the season and got fish BOGO free. Currently we have a mix of 16 calico goldfish, regular larger goldfish and a couple feeder goldfish. They seem to be taking to their new home just fine. I cannot wait to get accent lighting (the boat's navigation lights, underwater and ground lighting) and the filter box camouflaged as a lobster trap. Thanks for the all the advice!

 

[Angel]

Rock on came out great. And now my censored first impression.
" f. That came out m-f awesome."

 

[Ricochet]

Unfiltered - AWESOME job and great follow through on your project progress. I am about to start a similar project with a 14' aluminum boat that will be mostly in the shade very near my house for ease of electric and water. Was wondering how yours was doing. We will probably sell our house in the next 2 years but I need to do this in the mean time bc my hubby's kio, Parker, is now in my house and his inside accommodations are not going to fit him for much longer

 

[Mmathis]

@Ricochet Hey there, hello and welcome!

This is an old thread and the OP hasn’t posted anything since 2017 — so probably isn’t around any more. Why not start a new topic/ thread about this. This topic has come up in the past, so you should get some good feedback.

 

[j.w]

@Ricochet
Wondering if aluminum will be bad for the fish. Think someone posted here at one time about it not being good and leaching out things. Maybe you are putting in a liner? A koi in a boat eh? I know they need a lot of room. Will it be just one fish in there?