How Long Before Pond Critters Return

[Gordo33]

How long does it take for a new pond to develope algea on the liner and the aquatic life that exists ( in addition to the fish i add)? I did not feed my fish when they were in the first pond and started with eight. The goldfish population grew to 40 as the pond matured (1200 gal) and the fish ate the submerged plants plus whatever grew in the pond .

This weekend I put 25 goldfish back into an approx 3000 gal pond plus 2 frogs. Sidebar I believe the frogs were feasting on some fish during the month they were in the temporary pool/pond.
I do have some anacharis and hornwort but seems like less than 50% of what I moved out of the original pond. I also returned 5 lilly plants in pots and two other pond plants. I tried not to disturb any growth on the pots.
So I'm hoping there is enough natural food in the pond for the fish to feed on while the pond matures.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

You may need to initially feed the fish. The only "natural food" that would be in the pond at this stage would be whatever nutrients are in the source water. Typically this may not be enough to establish any sustainable food chain.
Refer to my articles on this subject:

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/periphyton-part-1.16255/

and

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/periphyton-part-2-aufwuchs.16256/

Once a pond with fish is fully established (usually at least one year), feeding of the fish can be eliminated and the pond's ecosytem will at that point be able to sustain itself through recycling of energy.

 

[Gordo33]

thanks I will read your articles

 

[Gordo33]

You may need to initially feed the fish.

Can you recommend a couple of brands that are good quality? I know from my experience with tropicals many brands are full of filler ingrediants and are low in protien and otherr essential nutrients

Do Koi and goldfish eat the same type of commercial food? I plan to add 3 koi.

 

[sissy]

I feed mine blackwater .

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I feed mine blackwater .

Ditto!

 

[Gordo33]

I feed mine blackwater .

thanks. I just googled Blackwater and there are two types 1. max growth 2. growth and color. Which one do you use?
While i'm on the food subject How often and how much do you feed your fish?

 

[Faebinder]

I feed mine blackwater .

Same. I use max growth the mixed pellet size.