Question
Can you tell me how to go about setting up a minnow pond? What do I need to know about diseases?  Do I need some type of filtering system?  I hope you can help Thank you.

Answer
Hi Cindy:  I would invest in a how to book about ponds.  The basic requirements are:  a water proof hole, a filter system, plants, minnows and food.

Once you have established the pond... this would be water proof hole filled with water and the filter in place you would need to then cycle the pond. cycling the pond is how you prepare the ponds water to safely house fish.  This involves testing the water chemistry and adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to the ponds water.  I recommend planting your live plants during this phase as they will help to absorb some of the harmful water chemicals during the cycling process. I also recommend doing a fishless cycle some people will tell you to add some feeder goldfish, etc to your pond as a means to start the cycle.  I add fish food not fish to my tanks or ponds and find that the cycling process is smoother.  Both methods work but I prefer to do my cycling with out fish.  Once the pond and the plants are in place and the cycle is complete then you can add fish.  Add fish in small number over the course of several weeks or even a month until you have the number of fish that your pond will sustain.  Ponds like fish tanks will need to be maintained and part of the maintenance process is the continual monitoring of the water chemistry.  You will also need to consider adding an oxygen source such as a fountain pump which will break the waters surface and as the jet of water falls back to the surface of the pond it adds oxygen.  You will also need to consider what kind of minnow you'd like to live in your pond.  I recommend white cloud minnow or even mosquito fish... which are a form of wild guppies.  If you would like additional information I will be happy to help as best I can... dave