Do I need to have a pump with a filter for outdoor pond?

Question

I just moved into a rental house and the previous tenant missed taking a few of the goldfish with her. I didn't realize they were there for a month. I bought food, but it doesn't look like they are eating it. The water is green and murky. I have a small pump circulating the water but it has no filter. Do I need one? Do I need to put plants in the water? How about chemicals? I know nothing of fish!!

Answer 1

If the fish aren't eating, quit throwing food in there. The green water indicates that there's too much organic material in there now. The fish will find tons of things to eat. Don't go throwing a bunch of chemicals in the water. Begin by changing small amounts of water frequently,and try to remove as much "gunk" from the water as you can,without creating a mess. This is not a fast process,but it's the safest way to revive the pond. Be sure to replace the water that you remove with treated water(dechlorinated). You can find dechlorinating products at pet stores or even the pet departments at the "big box" stores.
You probably don't need a filter as long as you don't go adding more fish. The small circulating pump should provide enough oxygenation,and the frequent small water changes should begin to clear the water. After you get the water cleared up,then begin very small feedings,and if the fish don't eat,don't feed them.
As far as plants go, they would help by removing some of the nutrients, that are feeding the algae, that are making the water green. But the plants are not necessary. Your choice.
The only chemical that you absolutely need is dechlorinator solution(if you have a source of un-chlorinated water like a well or cistern) then you don't need dechlorinator either.
Be patient,and try not to make any sudden changes.

Answer 2

The previous answer is pretty good considering she doesn't have a pond! I myself have a pond and yes, I have a filter and an aerator type thing (frog that shoots water out of his mouth). Is a filter absolutely necessary? Well, if you want to actually SEE the fish, yes, this is a great idea to have. If you want to go "natural" (not recommended), you will wind up like the water is now, and I'm sure many more people then not do it like this. Your best bet right now would be to do a water change. When I first moved in to my house, the pond was green and over grown and we scooped the fish out, cleaned the pond, refilled it, used a dechlorinator, and put the fish back with the water spitting frog. After about a month, it was looking murky again (we really had no idea how to care for a pond). SO, I went searching online how to take care of one. THIS is solely your best bet. There are a multitude of websites that will helpy you with your pond, even moreso then the answers you get on here (I would use this forum mainly to be pointed in the right direction, considering there are people...not all mind you, but some who like to give less then desirable answers). Anyway, we then purchased a pump (trust me they are NOT cheap), and now our fish are really happy. So, I'm sure there are plenty of people who do not use filters and let them "live off the land" so to say. Since we have so many mosquitos around here (NOT due to our pond), they make wonderful meals for our fish. I only feed our fish every other day during the summer, because they DO have plenty to eat during the summer. You have to be careful if you are in a cold area where water freezes during the winter, because then you set yourself up for a whole new problem......freezing water. If the water is not deep enough, you can wind up with frozen fish (ewwwwwww). SOOOO, if the fish are not big, and you are prone to having freezing water, you may want to bring them inside for the winter OR purchase a heater (can be expensive here again). It's all a personal choice kind of thing.
I hope this helps you out in some way (combined with the info above). Best of luck to you. ;o)
PS: For the record, we do not use any chemicals in our pond other then the dechlorinator. I feel that the more chemicals you use, the more you upset the eco-system that is going on. If you DO clean out your pond, don't use anything other then water and a stiff (clean) brush, and DO NOT clean ALL the algae off the sides. This stringy stuff is good for the pond (in moderation) and also provides the fish with nutritional eats. Get the dead matter out, mud, scrub some of the sides, but don't scrub them clean or it will take a while for your pond to recycle to get back to the beneficial state. Here again is why I suggest that you do your research online, it will help with this. Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't have a pond myself, but my aunt has had one for many years, and I've heard her talk about keeping it up and watched her maintain it. From what I gather, based on her pond:

Yes, you need to have a pump with a filter. The water gets murky, full of algae, and uninhabitable if the pump breaks or the filter clogs. It's not going to be clear, naturally, but it shouldn't be totally thick with algae and gunk and mud.

She has to clean the filter every day. Takes it out of the pond, rinses it off, makes sure nothing is clogged up in it.

Occasionally fish can get trapped in the filter, particularly if any damage occurs to the filter.

Water needs to be replenished anytime it gets low. She tops hers off at least once or twice a week.

Plants are good for the fish as a habitat that they can live in, and they seem to help keep the pond clean and the fish healthy in general. They do have to be maintained though, because they spread and can take over the entire pond. Lilies and reeds are nice to use. The whole situation, with the pond and with plants, also draws bugs and frogs, etc, which offers a nice cycle of life.

She has on occasion had to remove the fish, empty the pond and clean it out, mainly after a filter break after things got very mucky, or after bad storms when the pond might fill with leaves and debris. Sometimes she's just drained almost all of the water out, wiped off the sides of the pond, removed debris, and then replaced the water without moving the fish.

I don't know anything about chemicals being necessary, sorry. I don't think she uses any, never seen her use any or heard her mention them, but I could be wrong.

Hopefully someone who has a pond can answer you a little more thoroughly based on some firsthand experience. Good luck with your new pets. Ponds are so beautiful, I'd love to have one of my own! Too bad apartments don't allow those things.

Answer 4

Yes, you need a filter.
no . chemicals
run the filter for a week and then some allege chem. the fish are most likely eating natural stuff like mosquito larva or other bugs.
Search ; Big Al's or pond filters. get the appropriate size . cheep is not the best . cheep may be under sized.If you want to put plants is OK but late in season. you will need to get a heater or transfer them inside for winter , depending how deep the pond is.

Answer 5

Some good answers (for a change). You do need a good filter. Also, try putting a few water hyacynth plants in the pond. They will help prevent such a growth of algae.

Answer 6

Hi Jess, I agree with Mrs Crabs-join a pond forum [plenty on Yahoo! Groups] tell them your situation & get immediate advice from the experts. Your pond fish are probably only used to eating vegetation at the moment, this is why they ignored the food-they are lucky you moved in!