Pool ponds possible?

Question

Is it possible to turn a backyard, poured concrete pool into a pond that could sustain fish and turtles and such? If it is, how hard would it be to maintain? Would the water be murky and stink, or would it be clear?

Answer 1

You can certainly turn a concrete pool into a backyard pond.  Many people use poured concrete for their backyard ponds.  A balanced pond needs:

1.  At least 6 hours of sun daily.

2.  Aeration.  You will need a pump and a waterfall, bubbler, fountain, or sprayer to keep the water moving and pond aerated.  This helps prevent algae and mosquitos.  As a general rule, your pump GPH (gallons per hour) should be about 1/2 the amount of gallons as your pond.  My 700 gallon pond uses a 350 GPH pump.

3.  Filtration.  A pond over 500 gallons really needs a biofilter.  This is simply a big tub full of a filtering medium like foam blocks.  My biofilter is at the top of my waterfall.

4.  Plants.  I use water lilies and water hyacinth.  They provide oxygen and shade for the fish.

5.  Fish.  I use little cheap goldfish; they grow larger according to the size of your pond.

6.  Beneficial bacteria or enzymes for balance.  I use PondZyme tablets; you add them to the water occasionally and they help combat sludge and murky water.

7.  Some pond owners use special ultraviolet lights to kill algae.  The UV light is attached to your filter.

8.  Be sure that turtles and frogs, if they get into the pond, can also get out so they don't drown.  I don't know how deep your pool is, but I put stepping stones on milk crates so my turtles and frogs can climb back out again.

All the above sounds incredibly complicated, but many of these are one-time purchases.  Once you have fish, plants, filtration, aeration, and enzymes, your pond should balance itself well.  There will be some algae on the sides and bottom, but that's what fish eat!

Sometimes despite all your efforts, the pond will turn murky green after lots of rain or humidity.  That's why some people prefer ultraviolet lights to enzyme tablets.

I built my own 700 gallon pond with a stream, 2-tier waterfall, fish, and plants.  The pond attracts frogs, toads, turtles, birds, dragonflies, and the occasional snake.

Answer 2

It is possible.  The water will have a natural odor to it but that is unavoidable.  Before you start decide exactly what it is you are wanting to grow in it as far vegitation and fish, turtles, ect.

You will not be able to use chlorine or other sterilizers.

If you choose the correct amount of each species the water will be clear but have algea growth on the sides and bottom.  Grass eating carp and some ornimetal fish will control some of the vegitation.  

If it is a large pool expect to spend some money to get it started.