New Pond Advice

[Matt Winter]

So, I'm in the process of digging out a pond in my back yard. It's going to be about 7'x 6', maybe a bit more, and I'll terrace it down to 4' near the middle. Then I plan on lining with sand, putting in thick liner, edging with slate and filling.

My very good friend (who is also a great digger) really thinks I should put in a standard filter and heater, but:
1- I worry about extra ongoing expense from eletricity.
2- I find the idea of setting up a more complete, natural eco-system appealing. ( I'm already aware of the irony of introducing fish to a "natural" eco-system. )

So, I'm asking what I should be planning to have a pond with no power - what kind of stocking can I do? What extra steps should I take? I plan on planting a lot, so that should help...

Alternately, I could go with something solar - either a little pump or just a floating fountain. Is it worth it? Do they work in the winter? ( I live in New York) Anyone with an opinion here, I'd value a little help.

 

[GoldLenny]

Is your pond going to be rectangular? If so, using your measurements, your pond is a around 628G US (using 24" average depth). Without filtration and lots of plants, I would allow at least 100G per goldfish. As babies, you will be fine but as they grow and possibly mate, you may have to rehome some of them. A solar fountain, if one exists, would probably only be cosmetic and would not really help with the overall ecology/biology since it could not be counted on full time. You would have to run some kind of surface bubbler during the winter to keep an opening in the ice for outgasing of noxious gases from the decaying detritus in the pond.