Pond Extension Advice ?

12 years ago

Hi,

I have just built a pond extension on to my existing pond, I have a total of 3 ponds, the new one (top pond) which I estimate to be about 600-800 gallons, a middle pond which is about 200 gallons and a bottom pond which is about 600 gallons and is currently my primary pond. I live against a mountain and my yard is stepped, so I couldn't build a large pond, I have pretty much build a pond on each level. The top one flows into the bottom one with a water fall.

The new addition which sits at the top will ultimately flow down into the other two ponds.

My question is, how do I go about merging the ponds without affecting the fish. I have a biological filter which has been running for about 1 year and is stable as far as I can tell and works nicely and will be big enough for all 3 ponds, it is a 100Gallon filter. I build it with the idea of extending the pond.

My original idea was to build a temp filter and cycle the new extension and eventually join them up once cycled. I was wondering if it makes more sense to join them now or do i run the risk of upsetting/killing the fish (Koi and Goldfish) about 10 Koi.

Or should I go with the original idea and cycle the new pond first ?

Thanks

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Comments (5)

terrestrial_man
12 years ago
I would wait until the water quality, using water test kits, and temps between all 3 pools are roughly about the same before hooking them all together. You might even want to add water from the other two pools to the new one to help innoculate bioflora/fauna into the new pool.
User
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you Terrestrial .. that's what I was thinking, I am now run into a bigger issue, my new pond is leaking, so I am trying to see if I can determine where this is.
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User
Original Author
12 years ago
So I dealt with my leaking issues and I am in the process of cycling the pond, will be 2 weeks this Sunday (I put some feeders in - I know I read this was a bad idea afterwards), anyway.

The temp is rapidly dropping, hovering around 57-60, I read I should move the fish before it hits 55 degrees to limit stress.

My question is, if I switch my mature Skippy 100 Gallon filter, to the new pond, do you think it will be ok before the pond has fully cycled. I have been adding water and seeding my temp filter from the mature filter in order to help speed up the process. I have PH stabilized I believe. I still haven't detected any ammonia, still at zero.

If I wait too long, it may be too late ?

Eventually the new pond will overflow into the smaller ponds so will ultimately share the filter/water.

Thanks

Thanks
waterbug_guy
12 years ago
I think it's fine to connect all the ponds as soon as you like, no reason to cycle the new pond. The ammonia will disperse throughout the system and the existing bacteria will convert the ammonia.

Sounds like the old ponds would end up with a 50% water change. You can spread that out by using a tiny pump for a few days.

I'm not sure what you mean by you "believe" you have pH stabilized. Test KH and you'll know for sure you have pH buffered. That I would be concerned about.
sleeplessinftwayne
12 years ago
If the three ponds are to be connected, I would increase the water flow slowly from the new pond since there will be a big difference in the temperature of the three ponds to begin with. The same will apply to the PH. Better to take your time. It may mean running two separate systems for a while.

I will be looking for pictures.