Re-introducing fish to new pond and waterfall

[Gadya]

I have just had my pond relined, new Skimmer, and a new granite waterfall put in with large inground 55 Watt clarifier. My 18 goldfish and Shebunkins living in totes for the duration. They have been getting Stress Coat plus added to water. I have put 'pond starter beneficial bacteria' int the new pond and might add some Microbe lift and give it a couple of days to circulate with Clarifier OFF. I use well water, with filtration systems (no chlorine). My plant pots and my marginals are scrubbed clean with Hydrogen Peroxide. I don't use potting medias. They grow roots through the pots and held in by smooth round stones. I have four strong aerators. There is also a fish condo at bottom of pond for them to 'hide' of sleep in. They are no longer eating due to water temp. I Want to make sure I am being thorough in preparing pond before re- introducing the fish.

Is there anything else I should add to water or do before bringing fish home?
Thanks,
Gadya

 

[Lisak1]

I don’t know what a clarifier is - can you explain?

Ideally you would have held on to as much of the old pond water as possible to refill the pond and i’m not sure what the point of scrubbing the pond plants and marginals was? I think it’s important to remember this is a pond, not a pool.

Ultimately, I would say it’s important to get the fish back in the pond. The sooner the better, and hope for the best. Water temperature is one of the most important things and I would assume since the fisher outside they are in water that is essentially the same temperature as the pond

 

[WaterGardener]

I would normally do a fishless nitrogen cycle. Lots of info onlne about that. But with cooler temperatures it will likely take a while.

You could put a few fish in to get the cycle started and have lots of Prime on hand to bind the ammonia and nitrite they will produce. That has to be dosed every 48 hours to maintain the binding. Once the cycle has been completed, gradually add more fish, binding ammonia when needed.

Dumping them all in at once will cause a spike in ammonia. I would avoid that if possible.

Make sure you have good liquid type water tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and KH. And plenty of Prime, made by Seachem.

 

[Gadya]

I would normally do a fishless nitrogen cycle. Lots of info onlne about that. But with cooler temperatures it will likely take a while.

You could put a few fish in to get the cycle started and have lots of Prime on hand to bind the ammonia and nitrite they will produce. That has to be dosed every 48 hours to maintain the binding. Once the cycle has been completed, gradually add more fish, binding ammonia when needed.

Dumping them all in at once will cause a spike in ammonia. I would avoid that if possible.

Make sure you have good liquid type water tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and KH. And plenty of Prime, made by Seachem.

 

[Gadya]

I'm confused. Prime gets rid of chlorine. Are you saying that it binds ammonia and Nitrite? I saw the Fishless cycling by DR. Tom. Sounds incredibly complicated and lengthy. My fish have been living in totes for two weeks now.

 

[WaterGardener]

The nitrogen cycle always takes a while if you do it with it without fish in the pond. And I don't consider it being complicated at all. It does require regular testing.

Yes, Prime also binds ammonia and nitrite, but only for 48 hours at a time. It has to be dosed every 2 days for that use. Once the cycle has completed, it's no longer needed since the ammonia and nitrite readings will be zero.

 

[Lisak1]

I would honestly err on the side of getting the fish back in the pond. Not a popular answer I’m sure but it’s a trade off at this point

 

[WaterGardener]

At this time of the year it might be the best way. The bacteria will have a difficult time getting established in these cooler temperatures.

 

[Tula]

I would try to make the pond and tote's water temperature and PH as close as possible.