Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Buffalo NY
    Posts
    42

    Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    Living in New York State it gets cold here. Very cold. I have read that it is possible to have a deep tank that doesn't freeze all the way down and that some fish are okay with that. My question is, does anyone know how deep the water has to be (below the frost line I imagine) and what fish would work in such a system? Would the system have to be shut down in the winter because the fish are hibernating (or the equivalent)?
    Cowboys never quit!

  2. #2
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Fairport Harbor, Ohio
    Posts
    1,073

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    i know some people with ponds around 12 to 15' deep that have fish in them year round, mostly bluegill, but cat's, yellow perch, not sure what else, maybe bass? trout like cold water.. I've been thinking about this as well, northeast ohio can get pretty blustery. I'm sure it's possible to grow year round with all the right tools, winter crops would be pretty limited on what would work in the cold (lettuce varieties, etc)
    fish growth will slow down as it gets cold, but you'd get an earlier start on the "warm weather" crops

  3. #3
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Malden Bridge, NY
    Posts
    1,544

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    the frost line is like 2.5', but check your local zoning. a 4' deep pond would likely work, especially if covered with a hoop house. That is my plan.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  4. #4
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Buffalo NY
    Posts
    42

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    Thanks guys, I'm ramping up on my build. Of all the construction materials out there that I know very well, I've done very little concrete and I'm gearing up to learn. This may be a good project to try.
    Cowboys never quit!

  5. #5
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Malden Bridge, NY
    Posts
    1,544

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    You'll need a coating on the cement. Lots of wierd stuff that can leach out.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  6. #6
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    South Africa, Phalaborwa
    Posts
    36

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    Hi Emmett,

    Carefully with the concrete ponds. You need to make sure you have sufficient reinforcing in your pond and that ground compaction is near perfect. If either is on the the shy side, you get a leaky pond. If a crack develops then the only way to really fix it is to dig it all up and start again. A decent pool contractor should help. Otherwise use a flexible membrane, it's cheap.

  7. #7
    Members
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Hancock, MI
    Posts
    1

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    What sort of options are available to seal the concrete so that it is a "food-grade" container for the fish? Great idea!

  8. #8
    Members
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Southwest Ohio
    Posts
    85

    Re: Outdoor Concrete Fish Pond?

    Because I am aware of all of the variables that affect concrete, my suggestion is a pond liner. But any marine grade epoxy, or even fiberglass resin will seal it, and keep the concrete from leaching unwanted chemicals. A pond liner will allow for the possibility of cracks, which are common in concrete, even, when poured by professionals. If I were seriously thinking about using concrete for a tank, I would purchase something precast. But, honestly there are many other options out there that are more practical. Once you pour a cement pond, you are married to it. Moving one is rather difficult. A large galvanized stock tank painted with the same epoxy, is much more portable, and likely less expensive. I have also built large tanks out of plywood, coated with fiberglass resin, and they have held up very well, though, I would not recommend moving them much, as the resin becomes brittle. The pools, like badflash uses seem to be about the best bang for the buck.
    I have been working with these recently http://www.grangerplastics.com/gp1004.html and cannot speak highly enough about them. They are nearly 3/8 inch thick, and cost me $200 each. Topped off they are 360 gallons, and should last a lifetime.

Similar Threads

  1. rfeiller's-outdoor garden construction
    By rfeiller in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 89
    Last Post: 09-25-2018, 07:21 PM
  2. Utilizing existing 750 gal fish pond
    By multifasited in forum Aquaponics Knowhow
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 10-19-2013, 04:42 PM
  3. Insulating an outdoor aquaponics set-up or not?
    By arnoldboer in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-08-2012, 08:33 AM
  4. .......From Across The Pond'
    By VEGALIVE in forum The Welcome Lounge
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-31-2012, 01:45 AM
  5. Pond liners
    By ArtfulDodger in forum General Hardware
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-28-2011, 06:12 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •