If you are wondering if you can still keep goldfish in a pond without a pump, you should know a few facts about the matter before you make any decisions.
Main Concerns of Stocking Goldfish in Pump-Free Ponds
There are several concerns when stocking goldfish in a pump-free pond. The first is oxygen. If you don’t have sufficient oxygen, your goldfish will be stressed and may die. The second is temperature. The higher the water temperature, the more chemical processes are affected.
The third is turbidity. Turbidity is the amount of visible particulate matter in the pond. This is typically caused by a large amount of minute plants and animals. It can be a green or brown color.
In a naturalized pond, it’s unlikely that you will experience problems with adult goldfish. However, in a more intensively stocked pond, you’ll need to take more steps to manage your water.
One problem with pump-free ponds is that the dissolved oxygen content can change drastically in a short period of time. If you don’t keep track of it, you could end up with a toxic pond. A good way to monitor your pond’s water is to measure the water’s temperature twice a day. You can make a graph using the temperature values.
You can also measure the Secchi disc transparency. This method involves placing a sheet of perforated material over the dike of a pond. Then, it’s possible to predict the level of DO by measuring the transparency of the disc.
The main concern with stocked ponds is that the amount of fish can overcrowd the pond. When this happens, it’s important to remove the excess fish.
Tips for Raising Goldfish Without a Pump
If you want to keep a pet goldfish, there are a few tips you should know. First of all, a fish needs good water quality. You can achieve this by keeping the tank and aquarium clean. Also, don’t forget to test the pH level of the water and keep it within the safe range.
To start off, you should choose an aquarium or bowl of a suitable size. This is a great way to ensure that your pet fish will be happy and healthy. You can buy one of these in a variety of styles and colors.
Goldfish are quite sensitive to poor water quality. This means you should test the water in your fishbowl at least twice a week. You should also check the temperature of the water. Ideally, the temperatures should be between 10degC and 12degC.
For optimal nutrition, you should feed your goldfish nutrient-dense foods. This includes flaky food and pellets that are pre-soaked for a minute or so. A small meal should be given two to three times a day.
To keep your goldfish healthy, you should also consider the oxygen content of the water. You should use an air pump if you have a large aquarium. You can also buy an air diffuser which uses the surface movement of the water to generate air.
Other Species to Stock With Goldfish in a Pump-Free Pond
Goldfish are an ideal pet for a small garden pond. They are omnivorous and enjoy eating a variety of foods. They can be kept in well-filtered aquaria or spacious ponds. They also prefer to eat small amounts of algae.
They are also compatible with other fish. Orfes, for instance, are a good choice. Orfes are non-aggressive fish that tend to travel in shoals. They are generally bigger than goldfish.
Orfes are happiest when they are kept in colder temperatures. They also require consistent aeration. They should be paired with a meat-based pellet for best results.
Rosy minnows are another fish that is often recommended as a companion for goldfish. They are similar to mollies, but have a pinker color and are more peach-like. They can be very easy to care for and are very stable. They also grow to about 2 – 3 inches. They are also less likely to nip the fins of goldfish.
Ornamental koi are also a good choice as a companion for goldfish. Koi can be up to five times the length of the goldfish, but they require a larger pond. Ornamental koi are a member of the carp family and they are happy to live in ponds that are suited to goldfish. They require a pond that is at least three feet deep.