Help - some real advice please!

Question
Hi
I have been trying to set up a relatively small outdoor pond 43cm wide by 33cm deep but have lots of contrasting information about what we can and cant do.  All I would like to know is what type of fish and  how many we can put in there bearing in mind I wont be able to upgrade my pond size when the fish grow.  Secondly how often do I need to change the water, or should I get a small pump (solar powered etc).  I hope you can help as I am completley stuck at the moment.  Thanks

DAN


Answer
Dan,

That's an awfully tiny pond.  It's really too small for anything more than a couple of goldfish.  Much too small for Koi.  Keep it out of direct sun as much as possible to keep it from overheating and do get a small pump to circulate the water a little.  Get a pump that will turn the entire volume of the pond 5 or 6 times an hour.  A small pond needs more circulation than a larger one.  Float a couple of water plants in it and feed the fish a bare minimum and it should stay fairly clear.  If it greens up, stop all feeding until it clears again.  Change the water if it gets just too green.

Good luck,

John