Can I use pond water to help start my aquarium?

Question

I have over 400 gallons in aquariums and I just got a 100 gallon. I was wondering if I could use my goldfish/koi pond water to help get it t started? The pond is 1500 gallons, so if I filled it up the pond wouldn't miss it. The pond doesn't have any problems with algae, the fish are in perfect health and the pond is self-sustaining. I only have a small fountain in the middle to help oxygenate the water.

I have already set up quite a few aquariums successfully. I don't need anymore education on that.

The water in my pond is balanced. The ammonia, nitrates, ph level ETC are all where they should be. I won't use spring water, either. It's no better than tap.

Yes, setting up an aquarium successfully is a good feeling, but I have done so for 5 20 gallons, 2 50 gallons, 2 75 gallons, and 5 10 gallons. After awhile it loses it's touch.

Yes, I am going it put goldfish in it. I don't have any in the house yet and I would love to.

Answer 1

Since the water carries almost none of the bacteria you want in the new tank what would be the point? Far better to seed your new tank from your other filtered aquaria. Use a bit of gravel from one in the filter for a week or two. That will get the job done far better and faster.

MM

Answer 2

I have my first aquarium.... I used sand and water from a stream.... It was a cool experiment to do.... I had some aquatic larvae and definatly some bacteria. My aquarium right now is rather established and usually has water that is yellowish brown and cloudy on a good day. I also have copepods in it... A lot of them. I find that this is a good thing to try just as an experiment.... Yes my aquarium doesn t look that good, probabaly due to a bunch of mistakes I ve made while learning, but if you want to see what kind of things grow in your pond/stream system you should try this. I think that once I get a few more aquariums I will try to see what happens if a person who knows what they are doing better than the novice I was tries to use pond/stream water to use in their new tank. I think that people who buy fish first are very over cautious of what to put into their aquariums and I think that s a bit dumb... I think people who want to have an aquarium should have fish at the end of the list of things to focus on, they should experiment and see what happens (with proper safety precautions like rubber gloves so the fresh water that may hold parasites doesn t hurt them, which is what I did until I had my tank long enough that it was relatively safe). I think people in this hobby should experiment with the taboos of aquarium maintenance, people shouldn t say "oooh don t do that because it could be bad" people should focus on what good could happen from experimenting and carving your own path. I m not saying expose fish or any creature to in humane conditions, I m saying don t think about the fish when you re still cycling your tank, you should be focusing on the bacteria, then once it s cycled plants, then detritus feeders and invertebrates, and then fish just like it would occur in nature to some extent. sorry I just went on a rant and probabaly spelled things wrong XD, basically to close my stupid rant don t limit yourself by not trying things because they could end badly, you can t carve a path for others if you are walking in another persons footsteps. All in all why not try pond water or stream water, experiment! It s good for you and could uncover new and undiscovered things about this hobby that we don t know yet.

Answer 3

I have close to 500 gallons in 25 tanks and when I start a new tank, I use water from many of them, depending on the size of the new tank. I am sure you know not to use distilled water, right. For all you newbies out there, there are no trace elements, that all fish need, left in distilled water (because it is distilled).

You really only need 50 gallons, or so, of mature water, so a 15-20% water change on each tank would provide enough mature water for your new one. Your old tanks are probably due for some fresh water anyway, right?

I do a 25-30% change on all of mine every week to ten days. I am just about to set up two new 55 gallon tanks and that is what I will do.

I don't see any problem arising with using the pond water if it is as healthy as you say, but it would probably be easier to use the indoor tank water than lugging it from outside, eh?

Answer 4

No, don't use pond water, it would be pretty risky.

DONT use spring water. For the most part that is even more risky. For 2 reasons, one being that most spring water still has harmful chemicals in it. 2 is that they aid minirals and all this stuff to it, making it very hard water

If you have other tanks set up now then use that water, you dont need to fill it up. Hydro the gravel and get some of that dirt in your new tank. If you have another tank with the same size filter then take it out and use it in your new tank.

Answer 5

You can plant them. But the biggest challenge would be the lighting. I had my dwarf water lily in a 85 gallon tank for about a year but it didn't really do to well (it stayed alive and grew maybe a few inches but didn't thrive) until I put it back in the pond. Your conditions may be better than mine, but it can stay alive. It's something to think about.

Answer 6

I suppose it would be alright, but are you going to put goldfish in a 100 gal aquarium? Isn't there something really satisfying with setting it up from scratch? I see where you are coming from; it would sure be quicker than waiting to be sure everything was acclimated. I'm about ready to set up another one too. Good luck with your project.

Answer 7

Fill teh tank with tap water then treat it for PH, and neutraliser. Clhoren will disapate in about 3 weeks. Turn the water jets up as high as they can go, because thiss will break down the chem in tap water..

Answer 8

No, no. The koi may have bacteria that are unique to them and may harm your new fish! Either use boiled water that has cooled or distilled water from the store.

Answer 9

No I wouldn't. The pondwater could have hidden diseases or micro-organisms in it that could be deadly. I would buy some distilled water from the store. Also, look at some fish books from the library.

Answer 10

No, you need a good book on setting your fish up right. There is much to know. Go to the library or book store.