Restocking empty pond

[batkins61]

Our pond is about 315gal, with plenty of water hyacinths, some lily pads, and very clear water. The sides have a slick feel, and there isn't much in the way of stringy green stuff hanging on anything. This the same water the previous fish were in and has been in the pond for months (i.e. isn't tap water or anything).

Testing the water for Phosphorus, Ammonia, and Nitrites all show colors in the zero band. PH is about 6.0 (low, but significantly low?

We just lost our last two goldfish recently, for unknown reasons. After a week or so we introduced about 6 new, small Comet goldfish to the pond yesterday, midday. They promptly disappeared into the depths and are not visible. We've placed food on the surface, and after about 5min or so they still haven't feed, so we remove the food (we're pretty sure uneaten food caused the PH to drop with our last fish).

Should I be concerned? Do we need to do something to coax the fish to eat, or demonstrate where the food is? And what is a safe way to return the PH to nearer 7?

We acquired the pond with the house, and have never had fish in any capacity before, so any help is most appreciated.

Thanks!
Batkins61

 

[koikeepr]

LOL! It takes a few weeks for the new fish to warm up to you. They are afraid. Once they associate you with feeding, they will come up.

You don't mention anything about filtration. Do you have a filter? If not, you're fighting a losing battle and the fih will die each time.

What can you tell us about your filter?

 

[batkins61]

LOL! It takes a few weeks for the new fish to warm up to you. They are afraid. Once they associate you with feeding, they will come up.

You don't mention anything about filtration. Do you have a filter? If not, you're fighting a losing battle and the fih will die each time.

What can you tell us about your filter?

So... they're ok not eating? If they don't eat, yet I'm not supposed to allow the food to remain uneaten after 5min, I'm in a difficult position, since I can't even see them.

I have a filter box, about 14"x6"x8", or there 'bouts, with hollow balls inside and course black and finer green mesh filters under the lid. It's a small pump, but lifts the water easily about 6" above the pond where it falls directly back in (no waterfall, or anything, yet at least).

I was wondering if perhaps there isn't enough throughput with the pump to put enough oxygen into the water? Is there a number for gph/gallons of pond or something?

Thanks!

 

[DrDave]

If you are concerned about en-eaten food, then put only half of what you think they need in. If your pond is established and has the normal algae growth on the sides, they will find enough to sustain them even if you don't feed them every day. Eventually, if they are healthy, they will come out and feed in the open.

 

[koikeepr]

I know people that NEVER feed the fish in the pond. They let the fish subsist on the goodies that come into the pond like insects, worms, algae and other stuff.

If you are totally unsure if the fish are still in there, with only 315 gallons, you could take your net or even a stick and just stir things up a bit to see if they are still alive. Most fish that die tend to float. There are sinkers, but most will float.

Can you tell us more about the pump? A brand/model/GPH on it would be helpful so we can tell you if it's sufficient. Sounds like you have new pond syndrome. Things just haven't settled yet. Unfortunately, cooler weather is on it's way, and you may never get far enough this season to cycle well and might have to wait until next spring to have really clear water. You're only a few hours from me...I'm just outside of Charlotte and my early morning temperature reading was already down to 60 degrees.

I have about a 1/6 of a bag left of my summer feed, and will start my fall food right after that. Am guessing that will be in about 2 more weeks.

Do you have test strips so you can give us some info on your water? Have you done a partial water change yet?

 

[batkins61]

I don't know much about the pump. It's small enough to fit in your open hand. I did the ammonia, nitrite, phosphate and PH tests, reported in the original post. I did a 1/3 water change this week, but haven't retested the water since then. Before that, the last partial water change was about 5 months ago.

As long as I can feed them small portions that won't decay too much and mess up the water, I'm fine with that. I wasn't sure if they required food, and how to deal with them hiding and not eating. I'll just put in a little every couple of days and hopefully they will get the idea.

 

[DrDave]

You might consider not feeding at all for a week and see what develops. The fish, unless they are already emaciated will be fine.

 

[koikeepr]

oof! no water changes in 5 months! Ouch!

Well, let me be the first to tell you that you need to do a water change at least every two weeks. Especially in such a small body of water (particularly during summer!). If you do 'em every week or every other week, you can get away with 20-25% easily. In crazy heat you can do 30-50%. I would say you should do 'em every week for a while until you start seeing your water clear up.

Can you pull the pump outta the water and see if there's any label on it or something. "Small enough to fit in my hand" doesn't help much. Something is telling me your pump might be undersized.

If you're feeding fish, they poop and there will be uneaten food. That water needs to be changed out. Remember, you have a captured body of water--it's not being recycled by a natural spring or anything. Think of it like a toilet bowl...and you've got fish pooping and eating in it. Dunno about you, but I'd want that flushed more than every 5 months. As our fishies keepers, we need to flush the toilet often and put fresh water in.

If you keep up this regimen, you will see your fish happier and not be hiding so much. The more they see you, the better.

 

[DrDave]

I would vacuum the bottom by what ever means necessary. I have used siphons and outside pumps to do this.

 

[koikeepr]

I would vacuum the bottom by what ever means necessary. I have used siphons and outside pumps to do this.

ditto. good advice! Even a good strong net can scoop up big muck.

 

[DrDave]

The bottom water is always the most noxious, so concentrate on that.

 

[batkins61]

As I mentioned in my original post, my water is already very clear, and the chemistry is pretty good (all zeros except PH, which was close to 6, taken before the water change). I'm not sure why everyone is suggesting things to clear the water, or doing things "until your water clears up"; it's already very clear, and I can see most bottom features pretty clearly.

The pond has a lot of water hyacinths and lily pads, which is why it's hard to locate the fish. They were pretty small when I bought them, and I have several places on the bottom where they can hide if they choose. The reason I can't see them isn't water clarity, it's the plants and lack of wholesale effort to hunt them down (if they aren't floating up, I assume they're doing ok).

I will do more frequent water changes, however. I was originally told to do 1/3rd about 3 times a year, but that appears to be too few.

The pump is in a filter box and is rather a hassle to fish out. I'll be cleaning it soon, and I'll get the stats then. I also fear it may be too small. It does throw a stream about 3/8" well up and out into the pond, however.