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For many pond keepers, outdoor tropical and cold water fish is more than a hobby—it’s a form of therapy. Chris, the creator behind the YouTube channel Stuub Aquatics, is a perfect example of how backyard ponds, DIY filtration, and smart pond equipment can transform stress into satisfaction.
Chris has been raising fish since he was 10 or 11 years old. Over the last 30 years, he hand-dug multiple ponds in his backyard, surrounded by trees and natural cover. His largest pond reaches nearly 10,000 gallons and six feet deep, creating an ideal environment for breeding goldfish, shubunkins, koi, and tropical species. Today, he raises thousands of fish outdoors and operates indoor ponds and tanks for winter projects.
What Kind of Fish Can You Keep in Outdoor Ponds in the UK?
There are many different types of pond fish you can keep in UK garden ponds all year round. These pond fish can be kept in garden ponds, even during winter when temperatures are freezing.
Here’s a list of them:
- Goldfish
- Shubunkin
- Sarasa Comet
- Blue Orfe
- Golden Orfe
- Comet
- Koi carp
- Ghost koi
- Common carp
- Mirror carp
- Sturgeon
- Roach
- Barbel
- Green Tench
- Golden Tench
- Rudd
- Golden Rudd
- Gudgeon
- Stickleback
- Grass carp
- Sterlet
- Bream
Which Fish Species You CANNOT Keep as Hobby Fish in Garden Ponds?
Certain invasive species under regulations aimed at protecting native wildlife and water systems are now illegal to keep. So, if you are planning to install a pond system, these are the fish you are not allowed to keep or you need a government permission to do so:
- All species of crayfish
- Chinese Sleeper
- Stone Moroko
- Marbled Crayfish
- Pink salmon
Similarly, the import of live exotic fish requires compliance with the Import of Live Fish Acts (1980) and associated regulations.
Responsible Ownership Tips
- Check if licence is required before buying any exotic fish
- Understand and meet the welfare needs to keep fish healthy and stress-free
- Do not keep illegal fish species to protect the UK ecosystem
- Follow the import controls protocol if you are buying live fish from abroad
- Never release fish into the wild
- Dispose of deceased fish with respect and hygiene
Simple Pond Equipment That Actually Works
Chris first used Poposoap pumps and filters in a newly built indoor pond. What stood out immediately was how easy the system was to install. There were no complicated instructions, no extra tools, and no hardware store trips. As he described it, you simply place the pump into the filter box, reconnect a few fittings, and the system is ready. Because of that simplicity, Poposoap systems now run 24 hours a day in his ponds. He doesn’t even rely on air stones—sponge filters alone provide enough filtration and circulation.
Efficient Solar Pond Systems
One of the biggest improvements Chris noticed after switching to Poposoap was energy efficiency. He now runs both solar-powered and plug-in pond systems side by side. The solar system includes battery backup, ensuring the fish remain safe during power outages or cloudy days. If sunlight is limited, the plug-in system automatically serves as a backup.
This hybrid approach eliminates one of the biggest risks in fish keeping: power failure. For anyone raising fish outdoors or traveling occasionally, solar pond pumps provide invaluable peace of mind.
Small and Medium Ponds
Chris believes Poposoap excels where it matters most—small to medium-sized ponds. From DIY filtration ideas to solar kits and waterfalls, the brand offers everything a backyard fish farmer needs without inflated pricing.
His advice is simple: keep pond systems easy, efficient, and adaptable. With the right equipment and a DIY mindset, fish farming doesn’t have to be stressful—it can be the cure.
DIY Pond Building as Stress Relief
What makes Chris’s story unique is how DIY pond systems help him manage insomnia and anxiety. Designing filtration setups, sketching ideas, and experimenting with layouts allows him to focus and relax. Instead of expensive custom installations, he prioritizes simple, cost-effective pond solutions that are easy to assemble and maintain.
That philosophy is what drew him to Poposoap pond products.
Learn more :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57YA8yBmO3c