Does anyone have a formula to calculate how gallons of water in an oval concrete pond? My pond is approximately:
12' x 8' by 3' deep.
Any help would be appreciated
12' x 8' by 3' deep.
Any help would be appreciated
Pond Calculation
- Thread starter bbchin
- Start date
There are a number of pond volume calculators online. Here's one: http://www.pondcare.com/reference-center/pond-calculator/index.aspx
2155g is what I come out at with your measurements.
2155g is what I come out at with your measurements.
You are the best! So, how many inches do you think would be appropriate for this pond?
koiguy1969
GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
is it 8 x 12 x 3' deep all the way no shelves or depth variances? 2154gals flat bottomed 3' deep wall to wall... if thers variences use the average depth ...8 Wx 12L x 3D = CUBIC FOOTAGE X 7.48 = 2154 GALS (7.48 = GALS IN A CUBIC FOOT)
bbchin said:
Are you talking goldfish, koi or a combo of both?
Also, it's # of inches at full grown size--not baby size.
Figure 1000 gallons for the first koi, plus 250 gallons for each additional koi. You could keep 5 koi in that pond with good filtration and aeration. They are very big fish, and three feet is a bit shallow for them, so I would be conservative.
For a mixed pond, you can substitute 4-5 fish-shaped goldfish for one koi. Mutant, egg-shaped goldfish are fatter and more delicate, so if you really want to keep them, they'll need more room. Also, they have so much trouble swimming that they don't do well with more agile fish. Orfe are a little smaller than koi, but are more active and need more oxygen, so count them as koi. They're also schooling fish, hence to be fair, you need at least three of them.
For a pond with only goldfish, figure 30-50 gallons per fish. 40 goldfish should be plenty, that will leave room for sunfish or other predators to help control the eggs and fry. Don't expect perfect control, though. I'd start well below the maximum with goldfish unless you've already arranged with a local pet store to take the extras. I'll guess sunfish should be counted as 1-2 goldfish, depending on their size. Keep in mind that if you have male and female sunfish, they'll breed too, even if they are different species.
As a general rule, the oxygen and filtration requirements of a fish go up with the square of length, assuming similar proportions. Hence, 1 24" koi would be equivalent to 4 12" goldfish or about 100 minnows.
For a mixed pond, you can substitute 4-5 fish-shaped goldfish for one koi. Mutant, egg-shaped goldfish are fatter and more delicate, so if you really want to keep them, they'll need more room. Also, they have so much trouble swimming that they don't do well with more agile fish. Orfe are a little smaller than koi, but are more active and need more oxygen, so count them as koi. They're also schooling fish, hence to be fair, you need at least three of them.
For a pond with only goldfish, figure 30-50 gallons per fish. 40 goldfish should be plenty, that will leave room for sunfish or other predators to help control the eggs and fry. Don't expect perfect control, though. I'd start well below the maximum with goldfish unless you've already arranged with a local pet store to take the extras. I'll guess sunfish should be counted as 1-2 goldfish, depending on their size. Keep in mind that if you have male and female sunfish, they'll breed too, even if they are different species.
As a general rule, the oxygen and filtration requirements of a fish go up with the square of length, assuming similar proportions. Hence, 1 24" koi would be equivalent to 4 12" goldfish or about 100 minnows.
Another general rule: The more conservatively you stock, the less trouble you'll have with your pond.
Instead of loading up your pond from the start, in the first you year, I suggest adding no more than half the number you expect to keep. Let that batch grow out, and then gradually add more, or allow fry to grow to full size. If you wind up with too many fish, especially if they aren't fully grown yet, things can go south quickly. If you are understocked, your fish will be more likely to survive an exceptionally hot summer, an unusual amount of leaves or pollen choking the pond, pump failure, or human error. They'll also be better off if unforeseen circumstances, for instance, an illness in your family, take you away for a while. Plan for disaster, and when disasters happen, they won't be so disastrous.
Instead of loading up your pond from the start, in the first you year, I suggest adding no more than half the number you expect to keep. Let that batch grow out, and then gradually add more, or allow fry to grow to full size. If you wind up with too many fish, especially if they aren't fully grown yet, things can go south quickly. If you are understocked, your fish will be more likely to survive an exceptionally hot summer, an unusual amount of leaves or pollen choking the pond, pump failure, or human error. They'll also be better off if unforeseen circumstances, for instance, an illness in your family, take you away for a while. Plan for disaster, and when disasters happen, they won't be so disastrous.
I like having you here Otter. You offer sound advice that is very clear to understand. Thanks for your input. Very, very good advice.
Thanks koikeepr. Answering questions helps me clarify my own knowledge. The questions I ask get me started, but when it's my turn to tell someone else what I've learned, that really brings it home.
agreed. I feel the very same way. Plus, every time I tell someone to do a 20% water change, it makes me head out to my pond and do one. LOL! Gotta practice what we preach. LOL!
LOL, yep.