Hi People

Saw one of these set up last night in my lfs. They are very modern looking, and would look attractive on a patio, but are they a good buy ?

Will they cope with our winters, are they deep enough not to freeze (one is 0.8 deep, the other 0.6).

Will they get too warm on a patio in summer, being totally above ground.

They are 450 litres, is that really big enough ? Shop assistant said you can easily get 10 fish in

I posted last week on the How to build a pond thread, as we are considering a smallish pond - will probably still go down that route, but I am interested in peoples opinions - am standing well back

http://www.bradshawsdirect.co.uk/Brad ... rod=INAFF&cookie%5Ftest=1

I tried the link, but it just took me to a page telling me my cookies are not enabled. Think it must be a web session thing.

Is this it? Linky

Hi Symon

Yes, that is it !

Ella

That's a good looking find - I was thinking of a raised pond of somekind, and was having 2nd thoughts - child safety (from a house selling point of view some point down the line) - this looks like a good solution.

I can't comment on stocking levels (10 sounds a bit high though)

Personally (unless one of the coldwater bods screams no loudly) I'd be tempted myself

They're certainly attractive, but I would be concerned about the depth. 60cm is definitely not enough, especially as it's all above ground and even 80cm is less than the recommended minimum depth by 10cm.

I think the shop assistant is being very optimistic if he's saying you can put 10 fish in it. The coldwater tank size guide advises 180 litres plus 55 per additional fish for common goldfish. So that's 5 at the most! Plus they're only 1 metre wide where common goldies need at least 4 feet (122cm)swimming length.

It was a good looking bit of kit ! And due to be released tomorrow.

Has plus points, everything included.

Minus is it's size, plus if it freezes will it expand - how will it cope with that ?

We only have a smallish,and uneven garden, so I have not discounted it.

We also have youngish kids, and a dog! And, it's 'cat central' around here

Ella

Hi Noodle

I was concerned about the depth, not thought of the width Thanks for that !

Yes, I was very dubious about the stocking comment !

Ella x

I thought ponds need to be min 75cm deep,

i am sure some of it will need to be below ground level, to keep a level water temp during winter,or so i have read somewhere..
would the water touching the sides not also freeze ??

i think some people who do above ground ponds, still have about 2 ft or so bellow the ground so there must be a very good reason for doing this...

the wat to look at it re stocking if it was a fish tank, it would be 40inch x 23 inch x 28 inch..

How about getting a really good heater, and turning it in to an outdoor rainbow fish tank

Might cost a bit to heat though...

Our local LFS has these too, I'd assumed that they were intended for indoor use, such as a well ventilated conservatory?

JON