Not just for Goldfish anymore...

[Melody]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Swordtails-2.jpg

I had the hood off the q-tank for a cleaning and it struck me just how vivid the fish looked beneath the surface. Kois & some Goldfish are bred to look good from the top in ponds, but man these fish were doing a fine job without any special breeding.

The Sunlight brings the colors out and the color of fish as been proven to improve when raised in the sunlight as well, be it from the diet or the sun itself... or both.

We don't all have room for the majestic Koi & huge Goldfish in our ponds/tubs, so I thought I'd put it out there as & for suggestions. The big thing is contrast and brilliance.

I don't have a whole lot of pic's from a top angle, but here's a few. Show me yours!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Swordtails.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-PremiumMixed.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-HighFin-Blk-Wht-M.jpg

http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-AlbinoKoiS-RedHead-Pr-6-C.jpg

Then we have snails, which pull clean-up duty as well as looking beautiful, interesting and different in ponds of all sizes.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-JuvCana.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Canas_Haustrum.jpg


http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-MixedBrigs-29.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Magenta-P-Bridgesii-3.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Striped_Jouv_Marisa-Fr.jpg

Do you keep any fish (etc.) that you think would be wowsers in a pond?

[Melody]

Must be too early to talk about ponds...lol...the silence is deafening.

I have some Koi Swordtails in quarantine so I got a top shot of them too...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-AlbinoKoiOver.jpg

[traco1]

I have just the one pic to show but you can't see the inhabitants. Last year, I had platies and guppies in the "pond". In September, I caught them all and sold them to the pet store. They were like bunnies, a couple went in and a lot came out. I'll do it again this year, they loved eating bugs and swimming through the plants.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/traco1/IMG_3082.jpg

[Melody]

Looks like a nice place for a fishkeeper to sit beside reading a fish book and thinking about fish :smile: .

[Soggybottom]

No doubt, very nice tubby pondy thingy indeed!
Where did you get all the plants, looks like some unique stuff, I'm rather envious...
What are the flowering ones?

To answer your question Melody, I've wanted to try hets outside ever since you mentioned it in an old summer tubbin thread :) Not exactly stunners but I bet they'd love it in there...

One day I think it would be cool to try an outdoor tank with a light sand substrate and dark fish above. Put a perch a few feet over top and try to attract kingfishers :) I bet they wouldn't be able to resist such easy pickings!

[Melody]

That would be a horror show....lol.

Methinks that Patrick kept his Het's outside. Not sure if Jay did or not.

[CACAdmin]

Patrick and I both kept Hets outdoors. They love it & thrive. Once we get (& keep) warm weather, I will start up my nano pond on the balcony once again. I haven't tried any other fish out there. It was just home for my Hets and snails. I could post last year's pic but it just showed the pond, not the inhabitants.

[traco1]

My "pond" is a water tub I bought at Buckerfield's. The flowering plant is a calla plant. I brought it and a couple of the other plants indoor for the winter and will put back out this year. I kep the lilly in the tub over winter.

The only problem, I think, with adding a light substrate, is you might get a lot of algae. That is why my pond is so heavily planted, cuts down on algae with all the plants covering the surface. They recommend 70% coverage.

I did have a frog come and take residence. No big birds though, thank goodness.

[madattiver]

did you have to feed your guppies in the pond? or was there enough natural food in there for them to survive?

[traco1]

There was enough in there for them. I did occasionally drop in some flake food at the beginning and then every once in a while.

[Pamelajo]

Nice pond Barb. I would like to set up something like that on my deck for my hets or RR minnows, but not sure what all is needed. Some container ones I have seen don't seem to have filters that I can see or any cord running to them. Guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[Melody]

Outside of member experience, there is a list of Tub Pond (Or 'Summer Tubbin', as it is sometimes referred to) links in the Pond Links (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59) post. Several of them go into great detail, including pictures, etc.:smile:

I've said I'm going to do it for several years now and have yet to get around to it. This year! Honest! :laugh:

[Pamelajo]

I would like to buy one of the small wooden barrels with the ledge (home depot) and set an old fashioned pump on it which I already have from Lee Valley. Just not sure what to use for filtration. The hets will be going in it. Have been browsing those tub sites for some ideas.

[CACAdmin]

For my nano pond (large plastic flower pot) I set up last on the balcony, I used a Rio 90 Aqua Pump/Powerhead. It is totally submersible, has a grounded plug (so it's safe for outdoor use) and comes with a bunch of little attachments (I used some of these to create a waterfall spout). This is a really small pump, for a bigger pond you'd need a larger one (they do come in larger sizes). What I used for filtration was a small piece of sponge in the intake filter. You can't put much filter media in there are it is tiny but you can buy an 'Add-on Filter Chamber' (which I plan on doing this summer... so that I don't have to change the media every other day...LOL.)

If you like I'll post a pic of it. I can't do it at the moment in that my batteries have to be charged first. (my camera batteries, that is ... mine too, I suppose.:laugh:)

[Melody]

:coffee2: <=== Mr. CACAdmin, charging his batteries.:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

OK... Batteries charged. mine (only took one pot of coffee) & the camera ones.:laugh:

Here is a pic of the pump set up for the waterfall. I stuck it to the side of the table so you can see. It has suction cups to hold it to any surface (side or bottom of your pond). That whole fountain thing swivels and has a flow control on it. There is also an air intake adapter and hose. As you can see the filter intake is small... the intake adapter I think is like an extension which fits in between to hold media. (sorry, I haven't cleaned it up since I pulled it from the pond last fall.:Embarassing: ):
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/rio90.jpg

If you're looking for one, here's the box it comes in (the picture on the box does not even come close to resembling the contents - the other side of the box has a picture of a typical air pump:rolleyes:... figure that one out it you will.) :
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/rio90-box.jpg

[Pamelajo]

Thanks Jay. Were abouts did you get it. Pet store or pond supply? instead of the water fall I would like the water to go through my oldfashion water pump.

[CACAdmin]

I found it at Big Al's (the ones I found at pond supply places were way out of my budget and/or too big for my little pond). If I'm picturing what you want to do correctly, then I think you could attach 1/2 inch tubing to the outflow and run it up through your old fashioned pump. You'd need something bigger than a '90' to have enough pressure though. (Mind you the little 90 shoots water about 4 inches high on full pressure.)

[Pamelajo]

Ok found the rio 180 -120 gallons per hour and Big's can afford that. Should I go bigger or do you think this will be enough. I would also like to get the attachment your getting this summer for biofiltering. Did you see it at big Al's too! This tub can't be any bigger than 20 - 30 gallons.

Just broke the news to hubby that I am building a pond! Got the look:err:, but before I got the lecture he asked how big? I told him half barrel on the deck. And I got "okay":wideeyed: and I was totally prepared, to complain about my pump I bought collecting dust in the basement for years cause he never got the rain barrel set up for it to make use of rain water.
Or maybe he thought the worst and had visions of me digging up the lawn!

[Melody]

LOL I'm guessing the latter. That's why you say things like 'We're putting in a pond' and when they get mad you say 'Just kidding, its only a barrel'. It gives them perspective :laugh: .

[Pamelajo]

May have to try that approach more often. Hey Honey I am getting a 1000 gallon tank..............

[Melody]

:rofl:

[Pamelajo]

This is kind of what I want my pump is a little different.
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=LIG-14940294&src=nextag&kw=LIG-14940294

[Pamelajo]

Hey Mel I know a way to get you moving on your little bkyd pond....a little friendly competition.
Let see who can their's ready first. Well...............

[Melody]

You win! lol My weather is in my favour but my bank account is SO not.

[CACAdmin]

This is kind of what I want my pump is a little different.
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=LIG-14940294&src=nextag&kw=LIG-14940294

The pump in the link is an actual 115 GPH pump. Is yours an actual electric pump or just the hollow shell of a pump or an actual old fashioned hand water pump?

[Pamelajo]

a working old fashioned pitcher pump

[Pamelajo]

oops found real one

[Pamelajo]

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&cat=2,2280&p=10380
this is the exact model

[CACAdmin]

Cool pump... I love old fashioned water pumps. I'm going to check out some specs on the Rio pumps as to how big you need, etc. As for the filter adapter for the pump, it's a part that has to be ordered, prices on the price list included with mine (outdated) range from $3.77 - $7.42 dependant upon the size of the pump. I'll gather up some info for you and get back to you with what I find.

[CACAdmin]

Ok found the rio 180 -120 gallons per hour and Big's can afford that. Should I go bigger or do you think this will be enough. I would also like to get the attachment your getting this summer for biofiltering. Did you see it at big Al's too! This tub can't be any bigger than 20 - 30 gallons.

I don't think the 180 will be big enough. You see you have the height to contend with. The water has to be pumped from wherever you place the pump/filter high enough to go up through the pump to the spout.

I just tested my Rio 90 - 85gph. (flow at 1 ft = 40gph) Without any filter media the max height is 1 ft. Fresh clean media, height is reduced by 25%, under normal filtration conditions (media collects particles) height is reduced by approx. 50%. The 180 is rated at 45gph at 2 ft. which in reality becomes 1 ft.... not high enough. I could be wrong but if it were me, I'd go with the Rio 600 - 200gph. The rating shows it's 64gph at 3 ft. (1.5-2 ft with media realistically under everyday conditions).

Also, remember changing the filter media in a submerged pond filter is more work and messier than your HOB filter... you don't want to have to be changing it every few days. :rolleyes: With the regulator, when you first put in brand new media, if the flow is too much, just turn the flow down and then turn up as required.

Also, I'm not sure if you need both the filter conversion kit and the Additional Filter Chamber or just the Chamber. I am going to contact the Rio folk to find out and will let you know.

FYI: Here's the link to these pumps on the Rio site: http://www.riopump.net/products_pumps/rioAqua.html

[Pamelajo]

Thanks Jay you're a sweet heart:hugs:
I love them too, I grabbed it years ago when I saw it and have not used it yet. The pond will be the perfect place for it.
When I was a kid my grandmother's farm had one that was still working, we used to get drinks from.

[CACAdmin]

I just got a reply from the Rio folks and what you need is the 'Filter Conversion Kit' and then Adapters if you need more filtration. I'll PM you with the part numbers etc.

[Pamelajo]

Got your email but forwarded it to work my Excel keeps asking for the verification code. So will open it at work tomorrow. Thanks again.

[CACAdmin]

Let me know if you still have problems opening it. If so, I'll see what I can do. Gotta get that pond of yours going! :yes:

[Pamelajo]

Go it opened and printed at work. Do you still have the part numbers again. Sorry I clean out my inbox and forgot to save it. check out my barrel in DYI section.

[CACAdmin]

Just sent you a copy of the original PM with part numbers. Your little barrel looks neat. Should make a cute pond. I'm not sure if they use anything which might leech into the water. You'll probably have to soak it well anyways so that it holds water, but I'd do that and rinse many times just to be sure. Or you could coat the inside with something to prevent anything from the wood leaching into the water.

[Pamelajo]

I am actually going to line it. Not sure with what yet.

[CACAdmin]

OK... so it's not my pond. I will get started setting that up this weekend. However, in light of Melody's original post that those of us showing us a typcial 'pond view' of tanks from above, I thought I'd post one of mine. It's kind of neat to view the fish that way... we are so used to getting a side view of our fish through the aquarium glass.

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/70G-topview.jpg

Of course, pond pics to come once I've got it all up and running and of course 'stocked'.

[Melody]

They look cool from above :yes:

[CACAdmin]

It seems to capture how gracefully they move.:smile:

[Soggybottom]

Nice pic, Looks like a party in there, neat mix of colours.

Did they see a shadow and flock to the camera for food, or do you just have lots of fish in there ?:smile:

[CACAdmin]

They're sll such piglets, that the minute I approach the tank, they come to the surface seeking food... I'd like to think it's because they're happy to see me... but :nah: , I'm just the hand that feeds them. :laugh: