Delurk/Southern California pond questions

[Josh Mills]

Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.

TIA Josh

[groovy]

"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
> Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
> mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
> although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
> few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
> for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
> deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
> turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
> I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
> seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
> be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
> tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
>

You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
equivalent
koi and thus try out more colours.

[groovy]

"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
> Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
> mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
> although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
> few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
> for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
> deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
> turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
> I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
> seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
> be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
> tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
>

You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
equivalent
koi and thus try out more colours.

[Gabrielle]

I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
and the turtles the pond was built for. All are thriving. The downside
with turtles, as I mentioned in the Turtle Pond thread, is you have to
have heavier filtration than you do for just fish. Turtles may also eat
smaller fish -- my GF and minnows all started out as 12-cent feeders.

Gabrielle
Ajo, Arizona
www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html
<http://www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html>

groovy wrote:

>"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
>
>
>>Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
>>mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
>>although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
>>few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
>>for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
>>deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
>>turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
>>I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
>>seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
>>be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
>>tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
>>
>>
>>
>
>You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
>still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
>equivalent
>koi and thus try out more colours.
>
>
>
>

[Gabrielle]

I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
and the turtles the pond was built for. All are thriving. The downside
with turtles, as I mentioned in the Turtle Pond thread, is you have to
have heavier filtration than you do for just fish. Turtles may also eat
smaller fish -- my GF and minnows all started out as 12-cent feeders.

Gabrielle
Ajo, Arizona
www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html
<http://www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html>

groovy wrote:

>"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
>
>
>>Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
>>mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
>>although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
>>few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
>>for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
>>deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
>>turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
>>I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
>>seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
>>be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
>>tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
>>
>>
>>
>
>You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
>still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
>equivalent
>koi and thus try out more colours.
>
>
>
>

[RichToyBox]

Gabrielle,

My dad was a park ranger at Organ Pipe 1948-51, and I started school in
Lukeville. I understand that the one room school there has been
decommissioned, and the kids from Lukeville now come to Ajo. We did our
shopping in the big city of Ajo.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Gabrielle" > wrote in message
...
> I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
> shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
> caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
> and the turtles the pond was built for. All are thriving. The downside
> with turtles, as I mentioned in the Turtle Pond thread, is you have to
> have heavier filtration than you do for just fish. Turtles may also eat
> smaller fish -- my GF and minnows all started out as 12-cent feeders.
>
> Gabrielle
> Ajo, Arizona
> www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html
> <http://www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html>
>
> groovy wrote:
>
> >"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >
> >
> >>Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
> >>mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
> >>although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
> >>few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
> >>for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
> >>deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
> >>turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
> >>I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
> >>seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
> >>be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
> >>tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
> >still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
> >equivalent
> >koi and thus try out more colours.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[RichToyBox]

Gabrielle,

My dad was a park ranger at Organ Pipe 1948-51, and I started school in
Lukeville. I understand that the one room school there has been
decommissioned, and the kids from Lukeville now come to Ajo. We did our
shopping in the big city of Ajo.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Gabrielle" > wrote in message
...
> I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
> shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
> caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
> and the turtles the pond was built for. All are thriving. The downside
> with turtles, as I mentioned in the Turtle Pond thread, is you have to
> have heavier filtration than you do for just fish. Turtles may also eat
> smaller fish -- my GF and minnows all started out as 12-cent feeders.
>
> Gabrielle
> Ajo, Arizona
> www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html
> <http://www.clowder.net/cats/Turtles/pond2.html>
>
> groovy wrote:
>
> >"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >
> >
> >>Hello all. I live in orange county CA, only about 2 hours north of the
> >>mexican border. So needless to say the climate here is pretty mild,
> >>although we do get some cold winter days/night as low as the mid 30's a
> >>few times a year. I was wondering what fish other than koi would be good
> >>for my climate. The pond I plan on building could be up to 10*20*3 feet
> >>deep, so I could house quite large fishes. After reading the posts about
> >>turtle ponds, I think it might be cool to have a few of those as well.
> >>I've read quite a few previous threads on this NG, and you guys/gals
> >>seem to care and know what you're talking about. Any suggestions would
> >>be great. For the time being I'll have to get by with my 55 gallon
> >>tropical tank, but I enjoy it so much I think bigger would be better.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >You could consider Shibunkin. They are less hassle than koi, cheaper and
> >still as pretty. Plus you can put more of them in the pond than the
> >equivalent
> >koi and thus try out more colours.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Josh Mills]

In article >, says...
> I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
> shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
> caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)

I'm curious just how big your catfish is, and how long you have had it.
BTW how large is your pond. Nice webpage, like the pond cam:-). I've
always loved catfish, but as most get too big for aquariums I haven't
owned one lately, maybe I could keep one in a large pond. Do you know
what kind of cat you have?

Josh

[Josh Mills]

In article >, says...
> I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
> shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
> caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)

I'm curious just how big your catfish is, and how long you have had it.
BTW how large is your pond. Nice webpage, like the pond cam:-). I've
always loved catfish, but as most get too big for aquariums I haven't
owned one lately, maybe I could keep one in a large pond. Do you know
what kind of cat you have?

Josh

[Gabrielle]

Small world . . .

Yes, the Lukeville kids are bussed to Ajo these days -- it's a big
controversy since some of them actually live in Mexico. Ajo is even
smaller now that the mine is closed, we about 4000 people year round,
maybe 4500 in the winter. Organ Pipe, though, is booming, despite all
the bad publicity (it's on the Top 10 Most Dangerous Parks list).

Gabrielle


RichToyBox wrote:

>Gabrielle,
>
>My dad was a park ranger at Organ Pipe 1948-51, and I started school in
>Lukeville. I understand that the one room school there has been
>decommissioned, and the kids from Lukeville now come to Ajo. We did our
>shopping in the big city of Ajo.
>
>

[Gabrielle]

Small world . . .

Yes, the Lukeville kids are bussed to Ajo these days -- it's a big
controversy since some of them actually live in Mexico. Ajo is even
smaller now that the mine is closed, we about 4000 people year round,
maybe 4500 in the winter. Organ Pipe, though, is booming, despite all
the bad publicity (it's on the Top 10 Most Dangerous Parks list).

Gabrielle


RichToyBox wrote:

>Gabrielle,
>
>My dad was a park ranger at Organ Pipe 1948-51, and I started school in
>Lukeville. I understand that the one room school there has been
>decommissioned, and the kids from Lukeville now come to Ajo. We did our
>shopping in the big city of Ajo.
>
>

[Gabrielle]

Josh, I'm not sure what kind of catfish I have, even after 20 minutes
Googling. It was about 2" long when it was caught in the Gila River and
is about 18" nose to tail now. You can see him at
www.clowder.net/cats/Catfish.html
<http://www.clowder.net/cats/Catfish.html> -- I'd be glad if anyone
could positively identify him for me. He's solid dark grey, even his belly.

My pond is small, only 450 gallons, and so far things have gone well.
There isn't a lot that sinks to the bottom for Catfish to feed on, so he
(she?) has learned to come to the top and feed with the others. He looks
like a vacuum cleaner with that wide mouth as he sucks up pellets.

Gabrielle
in southwestern Arizona

Josh Mills wrote:

>In article >, says...
>
>
>>I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
>>shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
>>caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
>>
>>
>
>I'm curious just how big your catfish is, and how long you have had it.
>BTW how large is your pond. Nice webpage, like the pond cam:-). I've
>always loved catfish, but as most get too big for aquariums I haven't
>owned one lately, maybe I could keep one in a large pond. Do you know
>what kind of cat you have?
>
>Josh
>
>

[Gabrielle]

Josh, I'm not sure what kind of catfish I have, even after 20 minutes
Googling. It was about 2" long when it was caught in the Gila River and
is about 18" nose to tail now. You can see him at
www.clowder.net/cats/Catfish.html
<http://www.clowder.net/cats/Catfish.html> -- I'd be glad if anyone
could positively identify him for me. He's solid dark grey, even his belly.

My pond is small, only 450 gallons, and so far things have gone well.
There isn't a lot that sinks to the bottom for Catfish to feed on, so he
(she?) has learned to come to the top and feed with the others. He looks
like a vacuum cleaner with that wide mouth as he sucks up pellets.

Gabrielle
in southwestern Arizona

Josh Mills wrote:

>In article >, says...
>
>
>>I've got slightly similar climate -- southwestern Arizona -- and I have
>>shubunkin and goldfish in my pond, also rosy red minnows and a wild
>>caught catfish (a friend had it in her aquarium until it grew too big)
>>
>>
>
>I'm curious just how big your catfish is, and how long you have had it.
>BTW how large is your pond. Nice webpage, like the pond cam:-). I've
>always loved catfish, but as most get too big for aquariums I haven't
>owned one lately, maybe I could keep one in a large pond. Do you know
>what kind of cat you have?
>
>Josh
>
>