A beginners guide to building a small fish pond with no pump or filter

[@yvetterivera3039]

An update would be great just to see how the pond is maturing. Thank you once again for another great video.

[@Ozponds]

Sure thing!👍

[@charlottegrams359]

Any updates

[@Ozponds]

@@charlottegrams359 I did quite a few shorts on the pond. It’s winter here not much going on. I will do a 12 month update in long form content.

[@veronicabell6652]

I am on a journey to turn my enemy jacuzzi/pool into natural pond. I could use the orginal pool filter with gravel to filter but don’t want to run it 24/7 and prefer a no pump no filter solution. Glad to have found your channel.😊

[@chrisrusso4512]

Yes! A walsted type pond, this is what I was looking for

[@ScottRawdin]

Wonderful, I'm off to buy a barrel of wine ! Thank you Kevin for proposing this method. I think I will start here. It's always a pleasure to see your new videos ;o)

[@charlesbrightman4237]

I like that idea. Have to start somewhere. Getting a barrel of wine sounds like a good start. Eventually cut the empty barrel in half and have 2 fish ponds. Then repeat by going to get more barrels of wine. Could possibly even connect the fish barrels with connecting tubes to allow the fish to visit their neighbors with possible different habitats too. I'll have to drink more wine and think about it.

[@Ozponds]

😂 yes! Great idea buy the barrel with wine.

[@Ozponds]

😂 I might get a barrel and ponder it too 😉

[@MandyJane123700]

I would love to have a little pond like that on my porch. I'd have to figure out how to keep the cats and raccoons out of it. Also, I always see plants I want when I watch your videos. lol

[@Ozponds]

Maybe just a fly screen mesh over the top? Maybe I should do an update on plants in and around the ponds.

[@MandyJane123700]

@@Ozponds I think hardware cloth might be better with the raccoons. They really like to wash food in water, they poop in all the birdbaths. They are a menace! lol I would love to see all the plants again. I'm trying to start a list for spring plants.

[@mgoh1984]

A Rottweiler should solve your problem with cats and coons.

[@robmontgomery9711]

ive done this with a cast iron tub outside...put bait minnows in and even though the water was murky as hell, they THRIVED down there on the bottom.im using canna lilies and the floating lily pads and a split leaf philodendron to filter the water. i have a clear plastic tub filled with water under cover outside in a shady area in case i need some pure water.i know i cant add hose water unless it has sat for at least a day or two.i dont even feed them and they are getting fat! the water is murking up again but im not worried, i know they love it. thank you for your video! i KNEW i didnt need any electricity to have a pond..nature doesnt need it.

[@Ozponds]

Nice one 👍

[@anandasouthard7760]

Very cool! It’s like a walstad aquarium set up. I’ve kept several walstad tanks so this makes perfect sense to me and gives me the confidence to give it a try. Love this channel! Just subscribed ❤

[@Ozponds]

That exactly what it is. Walstad tanks are the best!

[@anandasouthard7760]

@@Ozponds yes! I love my walstad tanks. Setting up a healthy ecosystem feels very satisfying,

[@GreymsView-ix8yi]

Another great video my friend and I totally agree with you 100% - I also think the advice of a small water change is a good idea depending on location.

[@Ozponds]

😊👍

[@lisadouglas2963]

I just made a whiskey barrel pond, with a whiskey barrel liner. It’s turned out pretty good but I wish I did a lot more research. A few days after setup, no filter or pump, I bought some goldfish and put them in. They started gasping for air at the top. Petrified, I rushed to the pet store and bought a filter and fountain. That did the trick. Phew!!! Poor buggers, at least they are breathing now. I do have lots of plants in there as well. Since then, only a few days, U have also purchased a solar bio filter and fountain. The other one can be backup for those rainy days. Which there’s alot of, these days. I’m in QLD. So I’m still doing research and have also purchased beneficial bacteria. I’m too scared not to have anything.

[@GODZILLA2915]

Goldfish? Yeah, I head the appropriate rule for goldfish is one per 20 gallons because of the waste they produce.

[@stanmimura4216]

Once again another Great video and Happy New Year!! 🎉

[@Ozponds]

Thanks Stan. Happy New Year to you also 🍻👍

[@petertaylor6479]

Thanks Kev

[@Ozponds]

😊👍

[@petelongrs]

Nice one.

[@mushimushi1984]

How do you avoid mozzies when the water is not moving like your other larger ponds? Is it reliant on the fish eating the larvae?

[@Ozponds]

Fish will eat the larvae. So will dragon fly larvae. There must also be other things that eat them. I set up a really small pot pond a few months back, no fish just shrimp. I’ve never seen any mosquito larvae in there, no water movement. Right next to it was a bucket, had baby rice fish in it. I removed the rice fish and placed them in one of my other ponds, within days the bucket of water had heaps of mosquito larvae, the tiny pond right beside it still had none.

[@kymbo72]

Hi Kev. You have got my interest in trying this.....If I had this in full shade (under a verandah) would this set up still work? I imagine the plants wouldn't prefer it. Also, you mentioned that rice fish etc would breed in here. Just wondering, don't you find that the adults just eat the eggs/fry and you end up with nothing? that's what happens in my ponds! One day I will see a whole lot of fry and then normally within a few days I notice they have all disappeared. The only way I have had any luck was last year as soon as I noticed some fry, I removed all the adults. But it's pretty difficult to catch all the adults in a big pond each time I see some fry! It would be interesting one day to see you explaining your tips and thoughts on breeding fish. I know you have said you are not an expert, but it sounds like you have a lot more luck than me 🙂

[@Ozponds]

The rice fish I put in spawning mops and remove. The white clouds seem to be good parents and don’t eat their babies. I can do a video on it, but I’ll get in trouble with all the people that are more knowledgeable.

[@nurrr2041]

@@Ozponds lol internet is full of bullies, that think the only managable way is their method. If it works for you it works, and I would love to see the results

[@chrismok2723]

good video. here is a question. How do you control fish by overflow water?

[@Ozponds]

I don’t. You could drill a hole and add a bit of filter sponge.

[@pedrocastel8177]

Looks great!! Maybe with a plenum??😮

[@Ozponds]

Did the plenum on the last one. Works ok.

[@Sophistechate]

What are your minimum and maximum air and water temps? I live in an area that usually doesn’t get below 40f/5c, but I don’t have room to move the barrel indoors if that’s too cold for white clouds, rosy reds, rice fish, etc.

[@Ozponds]

Maximum air temp 40-45C. Max water 30C. Min air -5C. Min water 5C

[@HuffleRuff]

So, the green algae is 100% fine if what I want is like a pond garden (edibles and useful plants like cattails, wapato potatoes, and rush) and maybe some fish in it? It's only if I want it to be clear that I work on getting rid of it?

[@Ozponds]

Yes the algae is just natures way of helping balance any lack of filtration. You’ll probably find that as the plants consume the nutrients your water will clear anyway.

[@UncleWit]

I wanna try this but in rather full shade... What plants and fish would suit it?

[@Ozponds]

There’s lots of low light plants. What grows in your area. Most streams and creeks are under cover of trees. Fish anything small that fits your temperature range.

[@ALEX-dm6su]

Hornwort, java moss, flame moss

[@gayefanner731]

Thanx very much. Just what I’ve been pondering lately but for indoor aquarium, in England so obviously no worries with overheating! Thinking of adding papyrus n lucky bamboo too, any thoughts?! 🌾✌️

[@Ozponds]

Papyrus is super vigorous. No first hand experience with lucky bamboo. But it’s a small pond so just experiment if you don’t like a plant or it takes over you can easily make modifications 👍

[@gayefanner731]

Thanku, I like your thinking and you make everything so easy unlike other channels Ive dipped into ; garden dirt, any sand even the inhabitants, license to trust in my own knowledge n observations God bless you 🙏✝️. ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️. ✌️🇮🇱🤍✌️

[@scottdaniels3033]

Hey Kev. You know I follow your content. I just started using my EI fertilizer on my small pond and am getting way better growth. Do you recommend any fertilizers ? Let's get Kev sponsorship

[@Ozponds]

I don’t use any. I’m a simple guy. I need a rock sponsor 😉

[@charlesbrightman4237]

QUESTIONS: 1. Without some sort of air/oxygen bubbler, won't the water eventually have a lack of oxygen for the fish? 2. If the water becomes stagnant, won't that also become a potential breeding ground for mosquitos which could harbor diseases? 3. What about critters like cats 'fishing' for food in the small pond?

[@MarvinBowen]

Good questions. I have pond just about the same as the one Kev showed here. I've got rice fish, shrimp and snails in it. I've also got three types of plants. Those that have roots in the substrate and foliage remaining underwater. Those that have roots in the substrate and leaves the float on the surface. Finally, plants with floating roots and leaves that float at the surface and even protrude up and out of the water. Frog bit and water hyacinth, among others. The water has never gone cloudy or begun to smell foul. I have a hoard of cats that fish in it and drink the water down several inches. I refill with well water. They also try to get the fish out but I don't think they are successful. My barrel was outdoors all summer (southern Michigan) and I brought it inside for the cold months. It is next to a large window so the plants get sunlight. Short story, this has been an incredibly easy and rewarding experience.

[@charlesbrightman4237]

@@MarvinBowen Northern Michigan here, snow belt area. What about oxygen for the fish? Plants enough? What about mosquitos, especially here in Michigan?

[@Ozponds]

I was always skeptical about these types of systems. I thought they can’t possibly work, no water movement, too much nutrient, no dedicated filter. Well I was wrong- they really do work. The fish eat any mosquitoes, the sand locks in nutrients in the substrate (where only the plant roots can get it), the plants produce oxygen and you still have oxygen exchange at the surface. These fish are very shy unless I feed them so they won’t be an easy catch for a cat.

[@MarvinBowen]

@@charlesbrightman4237 Kev's response nails it. I think I have even fewer mosquitoes than without the pond because they lay their eggs there and then the fish eat them. I also have about a 100 gallon pond out in the yard with a bog filter. We have very very little mosquito population.

[@charlesbrightman4237]

@@Ozponds Good to know, thank you.

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

_In the video I mentioned a similar type of pond using Dr Kevin Novaks anoxic filter teachings._ Maybe Father Fish's anaerobic deep sandbed ? I don't see here any Kevin Novak!

[@Ozponds]

It’s a different pond and I have it linked in the description.

[@gerardregan6937]

Great video as always mate , quick question , i have a very small pond , about 85 Gallons , what stay small fish would you recommend. Thanks

[@Ozponds]

It depends where you live. If you’re in my climate. Rice fish, white clouds, blue eyes, Pygmy perch, dwarf galaxias, rainbow fish would be good choices but not all together.

[@gerardregan6937]

@Ozponds UK mate . Struggling to find some smaller fish , that stay small .

[@Ozponds]

@@gerardregan6937 the rice fish would work for you.

[@gerardregan6937]

@@Ozponds thanks mate

[@justkerry173]

Hi Kev, I'm looking for suggestions for my pond. It's about 30cm deep x 4m long x 2.5m wide, it has a good quality liner but has no ledges or steps. Can you make a suggestion on what might be better than besser blocks? Edited to add that there are no fish currently but will have Murray Rainbows in the future.

[@WesternCenturion]

Hi, I have a similar size pond here in the UK made from sleepers, I made shelves for plants from 1inch plastic conduit with galvanised mesh on top so the plant roots can grow through. The good thing with plastic conduit is that you don’t take up valuable retail space, the fish can swim under it and through it, also you can make your shelves to fit any space and height and then move them around later if needed. Hope that helps stir your imagination a little 👍

[@justkerry173]

@@WesternCenturion sounds like a good idea. I think I'd have to look for different mesh though, zinc is toxic to fish. Thanks for the idea.

[@WesternCenturion]

@@justkerry173 good point, though all water checks through the last 6 months show a well balanced pond and fish are thriving and feeding well off the algae during these colder days, but none the less I take your comment on board and will keep a close eye on their progress 👍

[@Ozponds]

You can always use nice rocks and backfill with pebble. But of course then you lose water volume.

[@justkerry173]

@@Ozponds that's why I thought about Besser Blocks, just not sure about putting concrete in and how fast they deteriorate.

[@bizzybee852]

Would love an update. I've been wanting to do a small pond on my balcony.

[@Ozponds]

It’s been a great little pond. Now I’m headed into winter. I’m curious to see how it performs over winter and into next spring. I’ll definitely do an update.

[@prince7444]

How Often Do I have to clean the pond ... What happens to the fish poop ...

[@Ozponds]

How often are you feeding? What sort of fish? Is the pond running continuously or just during warmer weather? I have lots of videos that explain my views and methods for pond maintenance and my approach to creating ecosystems.

[@prince7444]

@@Ozponds I haven't made the pond ... I'm asking if I made the same size just as this video of about 100 litres ... And keep some guppies or mollies ... How do I maintain fish waste or whether the ecosystem just takes care of it ...

[@Ozponds]

@@prince7444 you kinda need to just watch it. Those fish will breed so you’ll need to manage numbers. The plants will grow because of the waste and from time to time you’ll trim or remove plants.

[@prince7444]

how many fish can I keep ...? how often should I feed them ...?

[@Ozponds]

How big is the pond? What sort of fish?

[@prince7444]

@@Ozponds just guppies or mollies ... The same size as your pond in this video 100 litres 25 gallons

[@Ozponds]

@@prince7444 I’d start with 10 fish.

[@Raphael.P.]

The walstad pond 😊❤

[@Ozponds]

That’s exactly what it is 👍

[@TrangNguyen-ne6qs]

im in melbourne australia and its been raining quite a bit. do i need to have a cover to keep the fish in if i set up a system like this ? will they try to jump out ?

[@Ozponds]

I don’t have a cover

[@YVArtisanbaker]

Hey Kev, where are the best places to buy the plants you mentioned in the video?

[@Ozponds]

They are all very common. I can’t remember where I got these. Quick google search should find you the best prices though.

[@chrismok2723]

Where di you buy the wooden pond? bunnings?

[@Ozponds]

No. I’ve had these for years. They came from a local plant nursery that was closing down. I see them advertised about $80 for a half barrel. I’m sure you could find cheaper.

[@justinmorrow2932]

How are the native shrimp going?

[@Ozponds]

Still in there. Not sure if they are breeding.

[@officialrobertcenox]

i have a pond with 4 oscars no filter no heating just 60% of amazon swords tiger lotus and elodea water always clear and clean . yes the pond is big af

[@Ozponds]

Nice 👍

[@CarmenChoumont]

anyone have issues with frogs? I covered my small pond with netting because someone said the frogs will eat all my fish. i have small minnows and goldfish. any concerns? i would like the frogs to enjoy the pond too.

[@Ozponds]

It’s not an issue where I live.

[@francus7227]

I'm only adding a comment to feed the algorithm monster. Thanks

[@Ozponds]

😂 I thank you! Did the thumbs up button get a tickle?

[@francus7227]

@Ozponds Ha ha ha ! For your clips? I always hit it before the 0:05 mark..... I've liked every one before. So, I'll rather take the chance I need to unclick instead of taking the chance I might FORGET. Some of your clips aren't pertinent to me. I'm still 100% support for past and future clips.... Thank you.

[@Ozponds]

I really appreciate the support 😊👍

[@dudusiagata3117]

Witam przyjacielu pozdrawiam z Polski miłego wieczoru życzę

[@Ozponds]

You too 😊👍

[@MarekLabrenc]

.

[@Ozponds]

🍻

[@AaronHahnStudios]

I am looking for a different kind of filter.. Since watching your channel I now keep getting recommendations from KZbin of every clown on the planet who owns a fish tank or sludge pool. Where is the button for KEV's CHANNEL ONLY! Why do I need another? Stupid KZbin and its crazy Al-Gor-Rrythums. Ask informant the Frog, maybe he's heard word of the right button to click!

[@Ozponds]

😂 I’ll see what he knows.

[@john-lenin]

Needs a pump to keep the water moving. The fish deserve it.