| Goldfish ponds are a beautiful addition to any | | | | you use tap water containing chlorine and/or |
| garden and a stunning focal point. Goldfish ponds | | | | ammonia to fill your pond. Check that the water |
| have been admired in Asia for centuries, especially | | | | temperature in the pond is at least 60 o F before |
| in China and Japan. Today, you will find goldfish | | | | you add any fish. A common beginner mistake is |
| ponds all over the world, including Europe and | | | | to add all the Goldfish simultaneously to their new |
| North America. Since the Goldfish hails from a wild | | | | home. This will cause a rapid change in water |
| carp that can live in cold water, the Goldfish will | | | | quality since the bacterial colonies that inhabit the |
| survive outdoors during the winter even in colder | | | | pond are too small to process the sudden |
| parts of the world. In some regions it is however | | | | increase in organic waste. Instead, you should |
| advisable to house your fish indoors during the | | | | ideally add one or two fish and allow the bacterial |
| roughest months since it can suffocate in a pond | | | | colonies to grow larger before you add any new |
| if the ice freezes across the entire surface. | | | | fish. This will naturally also depend on the size of |
| Goldfish can be kept in ponds as well as in | | | | your pond and if you are using any type of |
| aboveground pools. It is recommended to plant | | | | filtration. In a large pond, excess waste will be |
| your pond/pool since goldfish will feel much safer | | | | dilute by a very large amount of water and |
| in a planted environment. It will also be able to | | | | therefore less likely to reach concentrations high |
| hide among the plants in order to avoid predators. | | | | enough to harm you fish. Good filtration will also |
| A lot of animals like to chase and eat goldfish, | | | | help removing organic waste and other toxins |
| including cats, birds and raccoons. Sometimes | | | | from the water. |
| plants are not enough to guard your fish and you | | | | So, how much Goldfish can I fill my pond with? As |
| will be forced to cover the pond with netting | | | | a rule of thumb, one Goldfish per 30 gallons is |
| during the night. In an above ground pool with | | | | recommended, but this is naturally a very |
| straight sides, the predators will be unable to | | | | imprecise ratio. As mentioned earlier, the water |
| wade in and must instead perch themselves at | | | | quality is one of the limiting factors. Plenty of |
| the edge of the pool when looking for prey. This | | | | water, developed bacterial colonies and good |
| will usually be noticed by your Goldfish and it can | | | | filtration will make it possible for you to house a |
| seek shelter deep down in the pool. | | | | larger number of Goldfish. There are three basic |
| A planted goldfish pond is easier to maintain since | | | | types of filtration: biological, mechanical and |
| the plants will aid you in keeping up the water | | | | chemical. Biological filtration will be taken care of |
| quality. Live plants can use organic compounds | | | | by the mentioned bacterial colonies. A mechanical |
| excreted by fish as nutrition. This means that the | | | | filter will filter the water through some form of |
| organic waste will be absorbed by the plant | | | | filtering media where larger debris will get caught. |
| instead of staying in the water and polluting it. Live | | | | The most common form of chemical filtration is |
| plants will also inhibit algae growth since plants and | | | | the addition of carbon to the mechanical filter, |
| algae compete for the same nutrients. If you still | | | | where the carbon will bind various types of toxins. |
| experience excess algae growth, you might be | | | | Another important factor to keep in mind when |
| feeding your Goldfish too much. If you feed your | | | | you decide how much fish you wish to add to |
| fish a lot of food, they will subsequently produce | | | | your pond is aeration. Fish require air to breath |
| a lot of waste and there will be plenty of | | | | and will suffocate in a poorly aerated pond, |
| nutrients for plants as well as algae in the water. | | | | especially if decaying plant matter consumes a lot |
| Some algae are a natural part of any pond or | | | | of the dissolved oxygen. In an open pond, there |
| aquarium, but excessive algae growth should be | | | | will however be a considerable gas exchange |
| counteracted since it is unhealthy for the fish. | | | | between the water and the surrounding air. The |
| Keep in mind that if you use a chemical to kill the | | | | larger the surface area of your pond, the more |
| algae, or if an algaecide is involuntary introduced | | | | oxygen will be brought to the water. A large |
| to the pond, the dead and decaying algae will use | | | | surface area will also make it easier for the water |
| up a lot of oxygen and your Goldfish might | | | | to release carbon dioxide. Plants in the pond will |
| suffocate and die. Using natural methods to | | | | also produce oxygen and consume carbon dioxide. |
| combat algae, such as plants, is therefore | | | | In some ponds, this will however not be enough |
| recommended. | | | | and if you want to be able to house a large |
| When you have filled your Goldfish pond you | | | | number of Goldfish some type of aeration is |
| should treat the water with a water conditioner if | | | | recommended. |