Hi everyone.

This is my first post!

I am an experienced fishkeeper - I have five tanks set up but am now venturing into the world of ponds.

I rescued two goldfish from work just before christmas. There were 5 goldfish in a small hexagonal tank. Their owner was puzzled as to why they were dying so quickly!!! I adopted the two remaining ones and discovered that their tiny tank wasn't even cycled.

Bob and Betty are now well but living in a tank which I know is too small for them long term (only 60L) so I would like to get them a pond to live in this springtime.

However, due to long and boring reasons, this will need to be a raised pond which will go on our patio area.

I've been looking at the Blagdon affinity ponds. Does anyone have one of these - or can anyone recommend a good place to buy a raised pond.

I don't need anything too huge ... just big enough for 4 or 5 goldfish.

Any advice gratefully recieved.

Wow - that's turned out to be a very long first post!

Can I just check these are Common Goldfish and not Fancy types? Fancies aren't hardy enough for pond living in the UK.

There was a thread on the Blagdon pools a while ago and the general consensus was they don't have sufficient swimming length for Common Goldfish, nor enough depth for a cold winter.

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=28793&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

I have to admit I'm no expert on coldwater fish.

They are not common goldfish.

I'll see if I can post a picture so that someone more knowledgeable can tell me what they are ...

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An affinity i know at a lfs had ice over 3" thick this winter, but they intentionally left it fish free since setting it up due to it being too small for fish

if you want a raised pond i'd suggest getting some railway sleepers and building it out of these by overlapping them at least 5 high and then add a pond liner and add a final layer on top to hold it in place

Nice fish, they are not fancies, both are comets.

Thank you for identifiying the fish for me. How big do comets grow?

They are both lovely fish - very healthy and very interactive.

I'm not sure about the railway sleepers - how deep does the pond need to be? I don't really know how big railway sleepers are?

I'm beginning to think that I might have to give my fish away which is gutting as I've grown to love them - they are so friendly :)

Comets get to about a foot long; caresheet here.

Pond needs to be at least 75 cms deep, preferably partly below ground. Railway sleepers are about 11" x 5" x 8ft or so. You would want new ones that haven't been treated. Used ones often contain oil and tar that can leach into the water and harm fish.

Have a look at THIS SITE for example for sleepers. (I am planning to get some for garden raised beds when Mr C agrees to revamp)