Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Newbie. Where do I start?

Just had the pond dug in late winter. It's pretty small actually. Roughly 50' x 100'. I would like to have a little bit of habitat, fish, and maybe some swimming. Would also like to install a aerator. I plan on planting some vegetation soon. Thanks in advance for all your help.

You will not regret your investment. Most will need a little bit more info on the pond and what you are looking for. How deep, water shed, objectives, pics, etc,?

Hey CD66,

I am not a pro but, IMHO I would stick with marginals for your vegetation in a small pond if you want to use it for swimming.

The pond is fed by my Geo system and the water shed if from my yard and surrounding woods. The max depth is about 16'. Here are a few pics.

Ok, just say it. It's probably too small to support fish. Just a guess. Suggestions?

I am not an expert but have read enough to regurgitate. So you are 1/10 acre pond 16' deep. It will support fish but you will have to manage it to keep numbers down. What type of fish are you interested in? You can support more fish if you aerate. Are you interested in feeding, which I would recommend in such a small BOW. Again if you feed, you can have more fish. How much watershed do you have feeding the pond? The output of your geothermal is not likely to add much to the pond based on what a few others have said with the same setup. A few threads on small ponds, there are more you will have to do some searching.

Aeration in small BOW
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=414660

Fish stocking and problems with side slopes on deep small ponds
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1919

1/10 acre Yellow Perch Pond
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=357117

IMHO there is no such thing as too small to support fish. Check my tag line...It comes down to what kind and how many. My 2 cents.

CD66, I've told women all my life that dinky is better!

CD66- Perhaps a good question is what kind of fish do you prefer? I would be leery about adding anything(habitat, fish) until you get a plan worked out. Knowing the type of fish you prefer lets others know how to guide you.

For example: YP might mean no habitat that they can spawn on. That in turn controls their numbers, making it easier for you to manage.

In smaller ponds, I tend to recommend stocking Hybrid fish to limit reproduction and minimize the more intensive management that non-hybrid fish require.

I plan on planting some vegetation like lizard tail and arrowhead, and water plantain, soft rush, etc. I do not plan on doing any feeding but I do plan on aeration. I would like to get some hybrid catfish, a couple HBG, SMB, LMB. And some occasional swimming or floating. Thanks for the replies.