Pond Pumps

Elizabeth, I've kept fish outside in a large container for a number of years (and we have cold winters here, with temps down to -15c, and sometimes a week where the temp doesn't get above -5c) My half-barrel is 1.5metres in diameter, and over 50cm high. Going against "standard" advice, I kept the pump working, as moving water freezes at a lower ambient temperature than stationary water.

However, last Saturday, it gave out. After 20 years loyal service, and 3 different houses, the bottom band finally rusted through, and the whole thing emptied in a matter of hours. I was not in time to save one fish , but the other two were still flipping under the iris roots. I quickly picked them up and put them in a rainwater-filled pot. They are now in a large 40 litre rubber trug (like what Monty uses in GW - did he get his from Aldi too?!) next to the window in the garage. The trug is about 1/3 full, and the garage is frost-free. I plan to do regular water changes with collected rainwater, and hope that they will survive the winter there. That will give me time to plan ahead for new fish accommodation next spring.

Remember, they won't need to eat between now and April, as their motabilism slows right down. The most important thing is not the depth of the water, but the surface area, as that's what provides the oxygen for them to breathe...

 

Thanks sian, that's definitely food for thought.

I will keep my eyes peeled on the weather forecast, make sure it isn't getting too cold at nights for the fish over a prolonged time.

 

Fish are coming inside after all - just gotta find myself a tank.

My goldie has virtually no tail, he's got serious fin rot it seems during the time he's been hiding and possibly sleeping. Best chance would be bringing him indoors to treat the water, which unfortunately we can't do outside as the temp. is too low.

I guess that's that then. Fingers crossed he survives. Checked on the other two shubunkins, they seem perfectly fat and healthy.

 

Well i directly treated the fish.
The question is, will the fish be fine in a tank with oxygenating plants from the pond?
Or will they need a filter and or pump?

 

Well i've got a fairly large tank, probably nearly the size of my mini pond haha.
It comes with a pump thing, to be honest i haven't got a clue what its got (got it secondhand).

If i take a photo of it maybe you guys will be able to tell me whats what with it.
It looks like it's got a light and maybe a heater..?

 

I think it's got a light with it - well the bulb works anywho!
Don't know if its supposed to work then secondhand as a heater?

But i don't think the pump is complete to be used.. Looks like its just the control and mains plug with nothing to go from the air pressure spout into the tank?

 

The thing labeled 0069 or 6900 (not sure which way up it is) looks like an air pump. These are used to oxygenate the water if there are no plants. Is there a small tube sticking out that a a pipe not much bigger than the lead could be attatched to?
The grey thing may be a pump and filter combined. For aquariums they suck the water in through the grill at the front and out at the top. I think the spouty thing on the side just under the white dial. Can you get the grill off it? if it has a foam filter behind the grill it is most likely a filter /pump.
Neither look like a heater which are usually long tubes with a thermostat built in.(these are often the first thing to go wrong. the fish get boiled or freeze :-( )

 

A tank full of water is heavier than you think. It always used to be the case that you stood the tank on a layer of polystryrene because the glass is very flat and most surfaces aren't (any lumps will squish into the poly and not break the glass) It's been a long time since I've kept a fish tank technology has probable moved on.

 

Well, the air pump seems totally useless but i have my oxygenating plants in anyway.

I think the grey bar is just the controller for the light.. It doesn't look suitable to plop into water so i don't dare haha.

I've got a stingray filter for the tank anyway, popped some gravel in, got my oxygenating plants and wah-la! Hopefully my fish will be happy!

 

Please Elizabeth,
when everything's in place and your fish are settled, can you show us a piccie of them ? Especially smiling at dear Armandii who is such a kind and helpful guy to have around,
Jenny