I'm on my second Arizona pond -- first was about 500 gallons and my
present one is about 1400 gallons at my new house. My goldfish have
survived summers in both of them and are still going strong. My ponds
are only 17" deep to keep me out of trouble with codes, etc. Other than

some plants, the main thing I did was make a ramada over the pond with
a
roof of sunscreen cloth (Home Depot or Lowes). Have you tested the
water temperature?


Gabrielle, down in Ajo, Arizona

I know you know what 115 feels like. your pond sounds about like mine
as far as dementions and depth. I just added some more plants and Im
going to add a bunch more anacharis pretty soon, about 70 stems and
maybe some hornwort.


Chris


Or 117° -- but so far so good this year. Today the water felt a little
warm when I got in to change a filter, but the fish seemed happy and
healthy. (I don't know exactly how warm since the turtles have hidden
the thermometer again.)

The more shade, the better, so your plants should help. Shade cloth as
mentioned or even floating big flat objects on the water surface can
help, too. I sometimes cool things off a bit by putting my hose spray on
mist and topping the pond off slowing. The little falls and the one
fountain (only 2-3 inches in the air over the surface of the water --
more a bubbler than a fountain, really) seem to help, too.

Gabrielle
Ajo, Arizona