New temporary pond

[A4drummer]

Hello there, new to the site,
I’m moving house and wish to take my established goldfish with me but no pond at the new place(although I’m going to build one soon)
Would it be feasible to buy a small rigid pond and take my old filter and some water from the old pond and create a temporary home for my fish until the more permanent pond is established. I’d take some plants also. I only have a week to complete the nitrogen cycle in the temporary pond before transferring the fish(8 of them).
Any suggestions or advice please.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

That is exactly what I did when I moved. You’ll be fine.

 

[j.w]

@A4drummer
Yes take as much of the old water as you can and do all that other stuff too and you should be good! Might want to put a net over the top to protect them from creatures sneaking around looking for a meal.

 

[GBBUDD]

Just like aquariums acclimate the fish slowly , don't over feed in the temp area and have a second air pump running lack of air is the enemy. water changes can limit ammonias etc

 

[WaterGardener]

We use Intex pools, the metal frame ones. They can be set up in minutes and are very sturdy.

If you are in a cold climate, they will need to be protected from freezing or they could split from the ice. Some people put them in a basement or garage. We put a greenhouse over ours for winter and that works well. We have been using one for water lilies that has gone through 3 cold winters so far and is still like new.

 

[SarahT]

Hello there, new to the site,
I’m moving house and wish to take my established goldfish with me but no pond at the new place(although I’m going to build one soon)
Would it be feasible to buy a small rigid pond and take my old filter and some water from the old pond and create a temporary home for my fish until the more permanent pond is established. I’d take some plants also. I only have a week to complete the nitrogen cycle in the temporary pond before transferring the fish(8 of them).
Any suggestions or advice please.

Welcome. How far are you moving?
Before you move, stop feeding the goldfish for 3 days prior to the move, and no food for 2-3 days after the move. They'll be fine in a temporary pond for quite some time, with aeration (and no freezing). Both the temporary pond and the new one are likely to have the new pond algae grow phase, so don't worry about that if it happens.
(Two years ago, I moved a koi and 3 large goldfish 1000 miles and they were/ are fine. If you are moving a long distance and want some tips, let me know.)

 

[A4drummer]

Hello and welcome!

That is exactly what I did when I moved. You’ll be fine.

Thank you

 

[A4drummer]

View attachment 153512@A4drummer
Yes take as much of the old water as you can and do all that other stuff too and you should be good! Might want to put a net over the top to protect them from creatures sneaking around looking for a meal.

Thank you

 

[A4drummer]

Just like aquariums acclimate the fish slowly , don't over feed in the temp area and have a second air pump running lack of air is the enemy. water changes can limit ammonias etc

Thank you

 

[A4drummer]

We use Intex pools, the metal frame ones. They can be set up in minutes and are very sturdy.

If you are in a cold climate, they will need to be protected from freezing or they could split from the ice. Some people put them in a basement or garage. We put a greenhouse over ours for winter and that works well. We have been using one for water lilies that has gone through 3 cold winters so far and is still like new.

Thanks

 

[A4drummer]

Welcome. How far are you moving?
Before you move, stop feeding the goldfish for 3 days prior to the move, and no food for 2-3 days after the move. They'll be fine in a temporary pond for quite some time, with aeration (and no freezing). Both the temporary pond and the new one are likely to have the new pond algae grow phase, so don't worry about that if it happens.
(Two years ago, I moved a koi and 3 large goldfish 1000 miles and they were/ are fine. If you are moving a long distance and want some tips, let me know.)

Thanks for the advice, not moving far (10 miles)
It’s the transition and establishing the temporary pond that’s the worry tbh.
If I move the pump and filter from the old pond to the temp before the fish, will the fish be ok for a few days while the filter does it’s job in the new temp pond,(I do have a smaller filter running in the old one that I’m leaving)
At first should I set the pump and filter running with some tap water then add old pond water as and when I can before moving the fish so I have volume ?

 

[SarahT]

Thanks for the advice, not moving far (10 miles)
It’s the transition and establishing the temporary pond that’s the worry tbh.
If I move the pump and filter from the old pond to the temp before the fish, will the fish be ok for a few days while the filter does it’s job in the new temp pond,(I do have a smaller filter running in the old one that I’m leaving)
At first should I set the pump and filter running with some tap water then add old pond water as and when I can before moving the fish so I have volume ?

Add dechlorinator to the tap water, even if it will be a few days before you move the fish (I may be over-cautious, but...), and add old pond water as soon as you can. Goldfish aren't worried about filtering out gunk, it's people who want to see the fish who like clean looking water. The fish will want aeration, so hopefully the smaller filter is providing oxygen, too. If it's a trade-off, don't worry about filtration for a few days (those are days you aren't feeding them pre-move) and concentrate on oxygenation. An aquarium pump (protected from rain/ outdoor elements!) and airstone will help, as long as you're careful on the electric.
When you move the fish in the car in a plastic bin or double plastic bag, you won't need much water for them, just deep enough so they're covered, and they want to be sideways in the car, not nose to the front. If it's only 10 miles, I doubt you need the hassle of adding pure oxygen, but have air in the top of the bag if you're using a bag. If you have one, use a little battery powered airstone, but it's probably excessive for a 10 mile drive.
You probably know that most new ponds get some green in them, even if you've done everything perfectly, so don't let that worry you.
It sounds as if you have a good handle on your move, and I'm sure you and the fish will enjoy your new home. Send pictures!