Outside saltwater pond

[GEP0934]

I live in Florida and I'm considering building a in ground saltwater pond in my screen enclosure. Looking for suggestions. I'm think the natural sun light would be amazing for coral growth but have some concern during the rainy season.

 

[Jamesfl]

I have thought about this also. There would be a lot of evaporation I think during the summer. Some of which would be replaced by rain but I think the salinity swings would be too crazy to control. Also, depending on the size of the pond you would need a large heater for winter months. The other thing I don't know about is with the sensitivity of a lot of corals, the rain drops pick up a lot of junk from the air on their way down. In the ocean this is diluted but in something as contained as a pond I think this might become toxic. I am no expert and these are just some things I have thought about.

 

[wkscott]

Freshwater koi ponds are difficult enough and koi are tough.
A saltwater reef pond would not only have to deal with rain and extreme storms in Florida, there is also the issue of tegulating the pond's temperature and all other parameters. Unless the pond is in a fully enclosed room, keeping the necessary stable parameters required by reef creatures, won't be easy.

 

[GEP0934]

I think some mangrove trees would be really. I guess a greenhouse type enclosure would help with the rain water issue and still provide natural light

 

[GEP0934]

 

[Jamesfl]

Yea greenhouse type enclosure will help a lot. You would just need a lot of top off water on hand.

 

[GEP0934]

I like this with the glass and build a deck around the top, in a glass enclosure structure

 

[805reef]

@o2manyfish has an outdoor grow out system. It's not the size of a pond but pretty big. His thread talks about rain/salinity and he is very open and helpful if you have any questions: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o2manyfish-400g-display-tank-1100g-system.118636/