Need Advice on pond construction for Silver Arowana

[Steven Williams]

I've never built a pond before and I need lots of tips and advice on how to make it as safe and comfortable as possible for my arowana.
I need help with:
-Insulation tips (how to keep the pond warm as possible)
-Safety (how to animal proof the pond so my fish is safe from cats, cranes, raccoon, possums, hawks, etc)
-Construction choices (either rubber tub dug into ground, pond liner, or wooden frame)
-Any more tips to make it nice
-Materials and detailed construction tips
-Size anywhere between 250 gallons to 400
-Filtration, heating, substrate choice, plant choices
I live in Florida so the winters aren't too cold
Also need help with pond maintenance (how to keep it clean and algae/bacteria free) Also if certain pond chemicals are safe for my arowana and fish that help maintain mosquito control and other insects without being eaten by my arowana since I don't like feeding live fish to it so no mosquito fish sadly (can avoid this if you don't know or have another method for insect and frog/pest control)
Silver Arowana's grow up to 4 ft long, top swimming fish, when scared they jump quite high so also tips on keeping it inside its pond so it doesn't jump out and hurt itself.

 

[Deedsta]

I made a pond and put arowanas in it. When they get spooked they don't jump rather go really fast to the other side when they have a lot of space.

 

[Steven Williams]

I made a pond and put arowanas in it. When they get spooked they don't jump rather go really fast to the other side when they have a lot of space.

Do u think 500 gal big enough?

 

[Ihsnshaik]

With the cost of the pond it might be cost effective to buy or make a 500 gallon tank yourself.

 

[Steven Williams]

With the cost of the pond it might be cost effective to buy or make a 500 gallon tank yourself.

I would but no house space

 

[Deedsta]

Do u think 500 gal big enough?

Definitely big enough it's all about LxW
But bigger is better

 

[Deedsta]

Florida doesn't get cold so you don't have to worry about how deep it is.

 

[Deedsta]

I would also do above ground pond. My mistake was making it in ground and that was my first pond I ever buit so it has some flaws to it. My pond is 15ft long by 9ft wide And 4ft deep. I used pond linear to hold the water. I didn't spend much money on it either. Texas wheater gets too cold so I have to bring my arowanas indoor. Your lucky to live in the sun shine state

 

[Steven Williams]

I would also do above ground pond. My mistake was making it in ground and that was my first pond I ever buit so it has some flaws to it. My pond is 15ft long by 9ft wide And 4ft deep. I used pond linear to hold the water. I didn't spend much money on it either. Texas wheater gets too cold so I have to bring my arowanas indoor. Your lucky to live in the sun shine state

Thanks so I'll definetly go with the liner and I'll take the measurements and update when that happens I'll make it longer and wider instead of deeper since it's a top feeder anyways. Recommend any plants and pond mates?

 

[Deedsta]

Thanks so I'll definetly go with the liner and I'll take the measurements and update when that happens I'll make it longer and wider instead of deeper since it's a top feeder anyways. Recommend any plants and pond mates?

You can do above ground with concrete blocks or wood with linear inside . get water hyacinth
And some parrot feathers . you can also put a couple koi fish if you like I would also get a pleco for cleaning summer algae. If you make a nice jungle of plants in one part of the pond , you can keep some small fish in there as well so they can hide from the predator fish. And if your arowana does seem to jump a lot in the pond and you're scared it will jump out , you can buy a pond leaf net and cover it . my arowanas never have me the problem of jumping out.