On Sat, 15 Feb 2003 21:19:29 -0600 (CST), (will) wrote:

Hey.
I have been considering installing a gardenpond for my momma. I figure
it will be good experience for me when I have my own home, and if she
pays for it, why not?

I just wanted to know (on average) what does the total bill come out
like for a new pond, what is the list of things that I need to have, and
are the "pond in a box kits" that claim to have everything you need
really worth it?

How large is a decent pond? I hear 90 gallon and this and that, but I
don't have a clue how large that really is......

Thanks for all of your help.

=will=
90 gallons, that's an aquarium

Seriously, our first "pond" was a 50 gallon preform pond. If you don't count the
fish I lost because of not doing research, I'd expect I spent in total 125-150
for pond, pump, fish and some plants. Fish were $0.39 ($CDN) fantail goldfish
from Petsmart. That was 6 years ago and most are still with me (with all of
their offspring).

Problem is I live in the great white north. Come fall we had to take the fish
in. At first I put the 5 goldfish in a 15 gallon aquarium. Once I saw the size
of them I realized that wasn't going to work (man, they grew the first year).

So, more money spent on a stock tank and homemade filter. Went from 3 gallons
per fish to 20 gallons. Things were a lot better.

Goldfish are pretty dirty creatures. Unless your into changing water frequently,
or have a really good filter, the more water the better.

The real problem with ponds is it's not the first one that is expensive. You get
a pond and you want more. When we got the pond I went out and got 2 aquariums.
We moved 3 years ago and when from a 50 gallon pond to a 1,400 gallon one. I'm
now trying to put in more.

BTW, the 50 gallon has been donated to some good friends across the road. I
helped them put it in and manage their pond. We're boarding their fish for the
winter. So, I've gotten another pond by proxy.