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| I'm starting to plan my stock tank pond. I am going to buy the 300 gallon robbermaid stock tank. I have several questions and was wondering if you experts could help me.
1. I need a good pump recommendation. It needs to be at least 600 GPH, right? I'm willing to pay for a good one to make my life a little easier. Is one that goes in the water or stays out of the water better? 2. If an above ground pump is better, will I have to have a tube coming out of the pond somewhere to attach to the pump and then have to hide the tube? 3. What should be done in regards to a filter and how do I set it up? 4. I am going to put this tank in the ground and I noticed it has a drain hole on in. Should I seal the hole with something to make sure it doesn't leak water? Just some extra info - I live in DFW area and I plan on keeping 4 feeder goldfish in this pond. They are currently about 3 inches long each and are in a whiskey barrel pond. They desperately need a new home. I may add one more feeder fish. The pond will be in full sun. I really want to make this as pretty as it can be, but also keep it a good environment for my fish. Thanks in advance for your help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| aggie, you really don't need a pump for only four fish. Are you planning water lilys, plants, etc? Unless you want some sort of fountain, waterfall, etc I would just use a inexpensive air pump for a little circulation. Do you have a well? Seal the hole with 3M� Marine Adhesive/Sealant 5200. You can get it in a small tube at the hardware store. Corrie |
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 11 at 19:45
| Hi aggierose, I'm no expert on pumps and filters, but I'll share with you what I know. Just be aware of how much soil you will need to move, in order for the stocktank to fit. Its alot more than you think! |
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| Rally, I don't need a pump? I guess that's good news, except I really would like a fountain so I will need a pump for that at least. I won't have a waterfall. |
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| Aggierose, May I ask why you want to use a stock tank. You are planning to put it in the ground so why not just put a EDPM rubber liner in. It is going to be far easier to install, last about 10 times longer, can be made into any shape and cheaper. Mike |
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| Mike, I was just discussing this with my husband. He asked why I wasn't going to just use a liner and I couldn't give him an answer. What are the advantages of using a stock tank, if any? If I just use a liner, do I just dig a hole, spread sand and then lay the liner? I assume there is more to it than that, but maybe not. This probably sounds a little odd, but one thing that has always bugged me about pond liners are the creases that are visible. Is there a way to get rid of them? Corrie, I forgot to tell you that I will definitely be putting plants in the pond. |
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| Aggierose, Yes it is that simple. You can use sand or what ever else you might have for under the liner. Then it just becomes what you want to do to hid the top of the liner. As far as the folds in the liner. Yes they can be gotten rid of but it takes someone who is very good at seaming liner. But in most cases after the pond is about six months old they just disappear on their own. They are still there but you don't see them any longer. There are no advantages to using a stock tank in the ground that I know of. Mike |
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Sat, Mar 12, 11 at 20:22
| I really think you need a pump. I think the benefits of a stocktank are that you can't tear it. I plan on having mine last forever. But I think the sides of a liner are easier to hide. |
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- Posted by sleeplessinftwayne z4-5 IND (My Page) on Sat, Mar 12, 11 at 21:08
| A stock tank can warp and crack, especially if it is not absolutely straight. It is very hard to repair a cracked tank. I would go with a submerged pump. You will need some type of filtration and moving water is the easiest way to keep the water oxygenated and won't smell bad. Dallas/Ft.Worth is hot and warm, still water loses oxygen fast. |
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| The only real problem you may have with a poly tank in ground is getting it level and making sure its supported well. The bottom of the hole will need to be very flat and have a little bit of sand put in it (to aid you in leveling) or the bottom of your tank can sag as it settles from the water weight. If you take your time and do it right it should be fine if that is what you want to do for a pond. You could probably do a liner pond for what you will spend on that size of poly tank. I would get a pump. You don't need anything real big, just enough to get some circulation and run a fountain. |
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