Small pond - keeping fishes happy while away

[shockthemonkey]

I have just installed a small outdoor pond and, after doing the correct water quality stuff and putting in some plants, have introduced five small goldfish.

Pond capacity is about 460 litres.

We will be going away over two weeks and once I realised that feeding should be multiple times a day, the original plan of a friendly teenager coming every two days does not seem good. So I have researched and found some automatic feed dispensers.

First question: do any of you have experience with these automatic dispensers, good or bad?

Second question: does my fountain thing need to be on the whole time given there are plants there? The fish do seem to be that much more lively when it's on!

Attached are photos, thanks for helping me plan my vacation

hopeful bump

Looks like a lovely pond.
I don’t know about fish, but I’ve just looked and there is a fish topic under the pets section… perhaps you could try posting there?

Oh thank you! Pets was going to be my next stop! Great, thanks

Once the temperature rises the oxygen in the water really falls. You need to put up some shade, and yes, have the fountain running all the time.

Thanks Marianne, the shade is very good and I will fix the fountain on continuous.

I had no idea they are supposed to be fed several times a day! MIL feeds her pond fish a few times a week!

Goldfish don't need to be fed several times a day. They really do better for having days of not being fed. Over feeding is the biggest threat to them - honest!

Over 2 weeks and assuming the pond has edible plants in, I would ask someone to come in 3-4 times to feed them. I would also leave out measured amounts to be fed at each sesion, as overfeeding is going to do far more harm than good.

If you're not sure your plants are edible, a few bunches of elodea thrown in for while you are away will give them some greens to much on. It's commonly sold in any aqautic shop.

I promise they will not starve

p.s. elodea floats so not need to 'plant' it. Literally just throw it in then remove any left over when you get back - otherwise it grows like crazy.

p.p.s.

First question: do any of you have experience with these automatic dispensers, good or bad?

Bad. Very bad. When they fail they can feed too much. Too much = food rotting in the water = nitrogen spikes = dead fish

Oh goodness, you have all just saved me an unwise purchase and also the perils of overfeeding - had no idea that was a thing, really! I am off to the garden shop now for Elodea. I love the sound of it!

I have access to a responsible teenager for the visits. I am reassured because the automatic feeders thing seemed a little prone to error!

Thank you pawpaws and everyone else

No worries. If you haven't already it's definately worth getting your head around the nitrogen cycle in a fish pond/tank and how excess feeding and plant waste affects it. IMO it's the most importnant thing to grasp when trying to keep (any) fish.

www.thepondguy.com/product/learning-center-article-wg-understanding-nitrogen-cycle/learning-center-wg-water-garden-101

Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks again! There's a lot to learn. Will do