Getting Aki a 450 gallon pond! Tankmates?

[SparklE fin]

I don't know if I'm getting a preformed one, or making my own. Though I'm probably leaning towards preformed. I don't really worry about animals coming into my yard. We have a alley cat(I dont even know whos cat that is) that always chases after birds. And my dogs are in the backyard most of the time and chase away the cat(which hates coming near my house for that reason). And I already bought this cool little machines that squirts water at whatever comes near. I'm going to use that at night and those nets you put on top of the pond. I also have a spot where it's going to be sunny half of the day and shade the other half. I was thinking of a lot of water lilies and lettece.

[ChoclateBetta]

I would put a net over it birds like to eat the animals in it so do raccoons. I would have a shallow part the goldfish cannot enter for plants and small fish. You should get those floating net boxes to grow plants in that protect them from goldfish.

[ThePearlFish]

I suggest not going for preformed, only because the pond liner gives so many more options regarding shapes and sizes and I am sure it might be a bit cheaper.

I think the pond liner is the most expensive item you would be paying for. If this is a DIY project, you can save on labor cost, which is normally outrageous in cost.

[ChoclateBetta]

A 2 inch deep section would allow small fish and an ecosystem to set up.

[SparklE fin]

Originally Posted by ChoclateBetta

I would put a net over it birds like to eat the animals in it so do raccoons. I would have a shallow part the goldfish cannot enter for plants and small fish. You should get those floating net boxes to grow plants in that protect them from goldfish.

The floating net boxes are a good idea, I thought I would have to replace the plants every few months. How deep should the shallow pit be?

[Olympia]

As far as I know, you don't feed them in the winter.
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[ChoclateBetta]

Why? I have read they live longer in ponds.