Indoor Ponds Keep Plants and Fish Healthy During Winter Months

Indoor Ponds Keep Plants and Fish Healthy During Winter Months
by: Rob Bernabe

If you’ve never seen an indoor fish pond or are of the mind that the only place for a fishpond is outdoors, it’s time to readjust your thinking. Many people love the idea of having a goldfish or Koi pond in their lawn and garden area but find the reality isn’t always as wonderful as the fantasy.

Every winter runs the risk of losing the plant and fish life in your pond with the first freeze. As a result, more and more people are coming up with a method for bringing the outdoors, in and forming your very own pond indoors is a beautiful alternative to a tired old aquarium. While an indoor pond doesn’t have to be beautiful in order to be functional, you can choose to make it a focal point and conversation piece quite easily.

A fairly simple and inexpensive way to craft an indoor pond this winter season is by using interlocking landscaping blocks to form a basic outline, and place a pre molded plastic pond liner (to avoid leaks), and other landscaping items such as rocks, plants, and soil in order to fill in the gaps. Others have even used a plastic kiddie pool for the fish and disguised the pool by hiding it with bricks or landscaping rocks.

The main purpose of indoor ponds is to protect your fish and plant life from the extreme winter weather conditions. It is quite easy to move the fish and plants from one pond to another. Be sure to keep the indoor pond regulated for temperature and water freshness by using proper equipment. Taking these precautions should keep your Koi fish and your plants healthy throughout the harsher winter months.

About The Author Rob Bernabe invites you to http://www.artificialgardens.com, your water gardening center. Here we provide tips on water fountain and waterfall ideas. For additional information on related Koi ponds, check out http://www.artificialgardens.com/Building-Koi-Ponds-Can-Create-A-Beautiful-Relaxing-Atmosphere.html on benefits of building Koi ponds.

Free Backyard Landscaping Idea - Article

Free Backyard Landscaping Idea by Sam Streubel

No matter where you live, there's nothing better than relaxing outdoors on a warm summer night watching your backyard landscaping ideas come to life.

Unfortunately, re-landscaping your entire backyard during the course of one growing season can be back breaking, expensive and requires major planning.

Here's a simple solution: Break up your backyard into "rooms" and remodel one room each year. This is especially helpful if you're on a budget. You're results will be much better if you spend as much time and money as you can on one project, rather than trying to revamp the entire backyard all at once for the same amount of money.

Although you're landscaping only one section of the yard at a time, you still need an overall plan. Using graph paper, sketch out the permanent structures on your property including the house, out buildings, deck and trees.

This is also a good time to consider which existing plants and shrubs won't be a part of the new landscape.

Make copies of your sketch and experiment with different designs. Incorporate ideas you like from magazines or gardens you've visited.

If you host frequent cook outs you'll probably want to keep the yard open and plant along the borders. If you don't need the space, you could create real drama with an island bed, walkways, solar lighting and cutouts for comfortable furniture to relax on.

Here are some ideas you'll dig:

Screening with Plants

If your yard doesn't have a fence, you might want to consider planting a row of hawthorn, juniper, arborvitae, or a combination of these bushes to create privacy and provide a backdrop for future flower beds. A strategically place evergreen screen will also provide a windbreak from winter winds and drifting snow.

Planning a Border Flower Bed

The hardest part of designing a border is choosing flowers that complement each other both in color and height. The list of perennials I suggest here is for a six foot wide bed in a mainly sunny situation. Wide, in this case, means outward from the plant screen or fence, not the length of the bed.

Use 3 or 5 plants for each kind of flower and allow 16"-18" between each plant. Allow 20"-22" between the different plant groups. Planting an odd number of plants is more visually appealing than an even number.

Allow sufficient space at the rear of the bed for access. This will also prevent choking off necessary air and light from the plants in back.

These are my suggestions for a perennial border. They were chosen to give a long display, with the first flowers appearing in April and the last in October.

Tall plants for the back row: SEDUM 'Autumn Joy'; RUDBECKIA Goldsturm; PHLOX White; IRIS light blue or yellow; VERONICA Blue; SOLIDAGO 'Golden Shower'; and HOSTA fortunei 'Picta'.

Shorter plants for the front row: GERANIUM grandiflorum; POTENTILLA 'Firedance'; HUECHERA Pink; ASTER Dwarf Blue; SEDUM Dragons Blood; ACHILLEA 'Moonshine'; and ERIGERON 'Prosperity'.

Obviously, these plants won't be the best choice for every climate. A worthwhile book to help you choose plants native to your climate zone is The Comfortable Lazy Garden. It's also an excellent reference for beginning gardeners.

Island Bed

An island bed, as the name implies, is planted in the middle of the yard surrounded by a sea of grass. It can vary in shape and size according to your imagination and available space. Scale the plants from tallest in the center to shortest at the edges.

Preplanned Gardens

I understand all of this Latin mumbo jumbo can be daunting for first time gardeners, it was for me. If you would like a ready made solution, Direct Gardening offers a wide selection of preplanned gardens designed to take all the guess work out of plant selection and placement.

Water Feature

Imagine the reflective beauty of a pond or the gentle splashing of a man made waterfall. How about a 100 foot high waterslide? Maybe next year.

Do Your Yard a Favor

Before you buy any vegetation, visit a real garden center for advice on drainage and soil preparation. Also, bring a copy of your plan; a soil sample and an extra credit card just in case you can't wait years to make your backyard landscaping ideas come true.

About the Author

Visit Backyard Landscaping Ideas at http://www.alternative-heating-info.com for a free copy of "How To Build Your Own Natural Waterfall".

technorati tags:Free, backyard, landscaping, pond, sam, streubel

Want To Build a Cement Pond?

Looking to build a cement pond? You can find excellent information from the links listed below.

Building a fish pond

by the Cement & Concrete Institute

http://www.cnci.org.za/inf/publications_pdf/fishpond.pdf

Pond Building

from the Van Ness Water Gardens.

http://www.vnwg.com/building_tips02.jsp

I'm sure you'll find all the information you'll need from these links. If you have further questions/comments feel free to post/email them.

technorati tags:building, cement, limestone, block, backyard, ponds

Close Your Ponds for the Winter

Although its a Michigan article it's great info for all ponds. A great read if you're in any area with cold winters. - check it out below!

Time to close up those backyard ponds

Sunday, October 15,2006

By John Hogan

The Grand Rapids Press

There is more to putting a backyard pond to bed thanunplugging an extension cord.

The next few weeks will find aquatic aficionados closingponds before the snow really sticks around, which meanscutting back plants, removing submerged pumps and shieldingwater from windblown leaves.

This annual rite of fall isn't limited to tonyneighborhoods with power ZIP codes like 90210. Even workingclass 49503 neighborhoods love their ponds. And they'renot afraid to do the work themselves. more.....

Backyard Mini-Ponds.

Small Backyard Mini-Ponds are Low on Maintenance and Easy to Install

Do you have a space in your backyard you would like to fill with awater feature? Most home-owners would like a large pond, but don't wantit so big that a child or dog could fall into. You also probably don'twant to dig a 3-foot hole either- recently, you may have discoveredthat your "backyard dirt" can actually substitute as modelling clay,and it has a similar composition as concrete. Maintenance is alsoanother issue- do you have the time to nurture your pond, to keep thewater clean, keep debris from falling into it, and to periodicallyclean the filters and pumps? Or would a 800 gallon pond quickly turninto a cesspool and attract nasty glares from your neighbours?

Ifyou're like most home-owners, you would prefer a small maintenance-freeand easy-to-install pond. A small pre-formed pond is probably the idealsolution for you. Unlike liner ponds, preformed ponds already come in apre-defined shape. Mini preformed ponds are typically 2-3 feetwide/long, and 1 foot deep. They are especially low-maintenance sincethe volume of water is only in the 30 gallon range, it is quite easy toperiodically empty the water and to refill your pond.

Mini-preformedpond kits, such as Algreen's 30 gallon kit, sometimes include a smallwatercourse to add the trickling sound of water to your backyard. Theytypically also the pump and pre-filter that is required to circulatethe water, and to pump the water to your watercourse. The pump is anessential part of any water garden, because, without proper watercirculation, your pond will rapidly transform into a breeding groundfor mosquito larvae.

In addition to the pond, the watercourse, the pump, and the equipment included in a mini-pond kit, all you will need is:

1. A carpenter's level.
2. Sand, to backfill your pond. In addition to backfill, the sand willalso provide adjustable flooring for your pond shell, which will comein handy when you are trying to level your pond.
3. A shovel, to dig your hole.
4. A garden hose, to fill your pond with water.
5. A space in your backyard that is relatively close to your house, tomaximize its impact. Be sure to consider the slope of the land and toensure that the pond avoids rainwater runoff.

Optional backyard water gardening supplies include landscaping rocks, aquatic plants, fish, and a fountain and/or spitter.

As you can see, water gardening can be made relatively straightforward with a mini-pond kit! For further information and tips about water gardening, please go to GardenSM.com.

More information about the 30 gallon mini-pond kit can be obtained at http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/c229211p16771003.2.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerry_Fung

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, mini-ponds, easy-to-install, small

Gators in the Pond ?

Check out this gator toy for your backyard pond....it's interesting..more entertaining then anything...check it out and decide for yourself!


Stylish Stuff - Bradenton Herald

Stylish Stuff Bradenton Herald, United States - Sep 15, 2006 ... Island (778-3782). Spook guests and friends with this concrete gator, which will "spit" water into your backyard pond. This guy's ...

technorati tags:stylish, stuff, gator, backyard, pond, spitting

Pond Winter Preparation ....

Hi Alice, Thanks for your great questions.

"I have a couple questions about winter care....I have a healthy, active school of about 15 goldfish and a frog! I have a de-icer that I am planning to use. .... I live in Massachusettes. "

Q:

Do I need to continue to run the pump/filter during the winter?

A:

Depending on the climate in your area you may or may not want to operate your pump/filters during the winter. If the temperatures stay mostly above freezing then it will be beneficial to keep your pump/filters running through the winter. Pond bacteria are not active due to the low water temperatures; however, it will stay alive as your pump continues to oxygenate the water. Operate your pump at a minimized flow rate. You can help accomplish this by turning off bottom drains, turning the flow rate down on your pump, and if possible, placing the intakes to your pump/filter at mid-water level. Note, intense circulation in the winter will mix the cold surface water with the warmer bottom water which can potentially harm any aquatic life during the over wintering.

Q:

Should I remove plants? water lily, bamboo? cat tails? the pond is 9' x 5' with an aprox 2' deep floor that has an aprox 3' deep 2' x 2' center. The cat tails are in the center deep section. The other two plants are in the 2' section.

A:

Pond plants will need to be cared for based on type. Any oxygenating/submerged plants should be left completely submerged at the bottom of the pond below the ice line. Floating plants (such as water hyacinth or water lettuce) should be removed from the pond as they will die during the winter months. Make sure you don't leave any dead plants in the pond as they will decompose and rob the water of oxygen required for any over wintering aquatic life.

Because your pond is at least 2' deep, any Hardy Lilies and marginals should be cut back and placed in the deepest part of the pond. This should be done after the first frost.

Other hardy water plants such as Iris, Sweet Flag, grasses, Cattails, etc. should be left in place to over winter regardless of pond depth. I recommend cutting back the foliage on these plants in the spring rather than in the fall.

As for all tropical plants, they all must be removed and placed in water that will remain above 65 degrees. I recommend doing this well before the first frost.

You can find additional information on Winter Care for Garden Ponds here: http://www.bestfish.com/wntrpond.html

It's great to hear that you have and intend to use a de-icer during the winter months. Your fish will thank you greatly for it.

Pond Filter Media?

Thanks Chris for your questions.

Q:
I am in the process of re doing my pond......... It is a fair size. Approx 15 x 10 and 4' 6" deep. I will have a skimmer and a waterfall. Should I have different filter media in each or can I use the same in both? What media would you recommend

A:
It's not necessary to have different media for different filters. Saying that, you may benefit from doing so depending on your pond display and aquatic life. For example, if your pond is divided into sections of shallow and deep you may find that different media work best for different situations.

Because I am unsure of the type of aquatic life you currently have I am hard pressed to recommend a specific media for you. The good news is that most filters work. And the larger your pond the larger the filters should be.

It's great to hear that you're going to have a skimmer and a waterfall based filter, however you may want to consider looking into a biological filter as well to cover all points of pond filtration. Remember filtration not only helps clean your pond ,but just as important, it creates a haven for pond bacteria (a healthy economical level any balanced pond must have). Keeping this in mind, my best recommendation for you would be - Any material that bacteria can attach to is suitable for a filter media.

Fiberglass Ponds...

Hi Trevor,

Thank you for your questions.

As i was typing out answers to your questions I realized there was a better source for you that will likely answer some of your questions in greater detail. I've simply added the address to the source with it's corresponding question below.

Q1:
I just received a big 10 person spa or is it called a gazebo,I dont know ,anyway its a big fibreglass pond.I am going to cover most of the air holes and use some of the air holes for filtering.what I want to know is,is ok to use the sand filter or is this to big?
A1:
Sand Filter: http://www.koifishponds.com/state_of_the_art_filters.htm
- covers great info on sand filters 'dos and donts'

Q2:
can fish live in a fibreglass pond?
A2:
Yes, fish can live in a fiberglass pond. Always keep in mind to limit your fish based on fish size and pond size. Keep reminding yourself that it's always best to have less fish than too many fish. Your goal with owning a pond is always balance. Balance is the key to a healthy ecosystem

Q3:
can I put trout in my pond?
A3:
You can put trout in your pond, again follow question 2 above. You likely wont be able to add many trout to your pond. There are some fiberglass ponds out there with Koi fish so if size is your worry..you can stop worrying.

All the best to you,

More Crazy Stories from the world of Backyard Ponds...

Man accuses city of killing his fish - The Daily News

Man accuses city of killing his fish The Daily News, Canada - Aug 26, 2006 ... Pelham, 66, said a run-off of silt that came from a city construction site last year caused the vegetation around the perimeter of his backyard pond, and the ...

What's your take on the story?

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, man, accuses, city, of, killing, his, fish, daily, news

Backyard Pond Fishing ?

Success key to getting kids hooked on fishing - Chester Daily Local Online

Success key to getting kids hooked on fishing Chester Daily Local Online, PA - Aug 28, 2006 ... going fishing again. Our backyard pond also serves as a successful fishing venue for many young, first-time anglers. It’sa small ...

technorati tags:backyard, pond, fishing, kids, hooked

Popularity of Backyard Ponds hits the TV screens in Bismarck, ND

The popularity of backyard ponds as even made television news in Bismarck, ND. - Check it out!

Backyard Ponds - KFYR-TV

KFYR-TV

Backyard Ponds KFYR-TV, ND - 21 hours ago ... couple of months now. He said that he spent a good 4 to 6 hours a day working on making this backyard pond a reality. "My pump broke ...

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, tv, bismarck, ND, news

Building An Oasis In Your Own Backyard

Make your backyard an oasis to enjoy year-round - Delta Democrat Times (subscription)

Make your backyard an oasis to enjoy year-round Delta Democrat Times (subscription), MS - 5 hours ago ... Consider locating your backyard pond where you can see it from a deck or patio. ... You can put in a backyard pond anytime the ground is not frozen or overly wet. ...

technorati tags:backyard, pond, oasis, build, enjoy, year-round

Have you been getting the discounts?

Have you been taking advantage of all the discounts to all the online shops that I've found for you all? You can find some links to the right under "Get Discounts at these Shops!".

You can also find top information products by using the "Search" box above.  ClickBank contains some of the most popular online information products and now you can get discounted prices on them through the above search. Almost every topic is covered. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

I hope I've made your online experience just a little bit easier.

Enjoy! =)

PS: You will also find an excellent Fish Pond and Koi Pond information packages. Just type 'pond' in the search box and check them out for yourself.

technorati tags:discounts, packages, ponds

Keep Those Mosquitos out...

Whether you have a pond up yet or not mosquitoes are common warm season pests. Great little article about keeping these winged-biters out of your yard - check it out below!

Keep mosquitoes out of yard - Jackson Hole Star-Tribune

Keep mosquitoes out of yard Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, WY - Aug 13, 2006 Is there a place in your lawn that puddles every time you water? Do you have a birdbath or a backyard pond? How about gutters on the house? ...

technorati tags:backyard, pond, mosquitos, out

Looking for Pond Stones?

You can find pond rocks at your local hardware store, pet store, and landscaping stores.  If you're looking to get rocks of any shapes or sizes, then you can look almost anywhere. Construction sites, around your neighborhood, near the creek. 

If you're still unsure and would rather not waste too much time running around searching for certain size and shape rocks and stones, I'd recommend heading to your nearest pet/fish store or hardware store such as HomeDepot, and see what they have in store or whether they know of any local supplies. They may know of some local areas that the general public would not be aware of.

technorati tags:pond, rock, stones, creak, homedepot, store

What's An Above Ground Pond?

If you're interested in building an above ground pond you have many options. There are also those that are considered above ground yet require a little bit of digging. In other words, an upper portion of the pond is above ground and a lower portion is below ground. What I discuss here are ponds that are completely above ground.

Above grounds can be just as gorgeous and complex as a below ground pond. The only difference? Complete above ground ponds require no digging for your pond.

Depending on the size of your pond you can use practically anything as your pond base as long as it's strong and sturdy enough to support the water and aquatic life, if any.

Large above ponds are built similar to below ground ponds. You can use cement with an inner liner. Preformed ponds are common. Or if you've read one of my previous posts on Barrel ponds, you'll know that these make great ponds as well.

Smaller, simpler ponds can be created using buckets, smaller barrels, small pond kits or preformed ponds. Again, anything that's strong and sturdy enough to support your pond and pond life.

It's really up to you to decide what you want as your above pond. All rules that apply to underground ponds will apply to above ponds as well.

Things you need to note are:

- location

- size

- weight

- desired aquatic life

That covers the basics. Keep in mind that most medium to large above ground ponds still require some digging. Digging is required to correctly landscape and form your new pond to your selected location. Sturdiness is very important.

I'll note the 2 most common types of above ground ponds. Well actually 3.

1. Preformed ponds shaped out with shelves and water falls [required some digging]

2. Barrel ponds [no digging]

3. wood or cement structured ponds with a liner interior [digging required]

Hope, the information has given you some idea of what to expect and look for when selecting your pond type.

A final note: There was a previous post titled, "Want An Above Ground Pond ?? - READ THIS FIRST", posted on July 16, 2006. I suggest taking a look at that post as well.

technorati tags:backyard, above, ground, pond, barrel, liner, preformed

Making Your Very Own Home Made Pond Filters Is Easier Than You May Think...

Looking to learn more about how Filters actually work, what they're made up of, or even to make your very own pond filter? I recommend checking out the article below. It's great! It's all about Pond filters and how to make your very own.

Make Your Own Pond Filter At Home. Building Pond Filters Easier Than You Think.

Once you understand the principles of a good pond filter you will quickly recognize that all that is often required is a box containing biomedia ... water is pumped through this box 24/7 so that colonies of bacteria that build up on biomedia surfaces remain strong and viable so they can do their natural job of purifying pond water.

Biomedia is a fancy word for almost any solid items such as stones, plastic rings, hair curlers, foams and other specially designed materials. These "things" are just surfaces on which bacteria can cling ... the best biomedia are those that have very high surface areas (called specific surface area or SSA) and that can be easily rinsed clean to remove solid debris that clings to the surfaces.

The advantage of buying a ready made commercial unit is that you don't have to do it yourself. In general these units are over-priced so do not be atken in by the bigger is always better approach. The really important part is the biomedia and for small to medium ponds try to find a filter with Alfagrog or Supra as the biomedia...........read more...

How To Make Your Own Pond Filter At Home Cheaply

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, home, made, filters, easy

Build a Barrel Pond ...

A Barrel pond is quick and simple to build. They can be placed anywhere on your property, including your deck or patio. And to be honeset, I think they look great. Check the link below for some great info on how to build the best Barrel Pond.

Creating a pond in a barrel isn't a new idea, but what makes this project different is the sheer size of the barrel - at least three times as big as the average barrel pond!

Gardenworld

technorati tags:backyard, barrel, pond, deck, patio

Choosing the right Filter for your Koi Pond

How to choose the right filter?

Choosing the correct filter system for your Koi pond can be a baffling process, with so many types and designs of filter on the market - where do you start? Remember, we are concerned here with specific filtration for Koi ponds, as opposed to garden ponds which might contain other types of ornamental fish.

Koi Water Garden for a comprehensive range of Koi pond filtration including vortexes and protein skimmers

If you're looking for a filter for your Koi pond and you're not sure what's best for you check the above article out. It has great information for you.

technorati tags:koi, pond, filters

What's the smallest Pond Size I Can Get Away With?

Ponds come in all different shapes and sizes. The shape and size you choose completely depends on your personal circumstances (location/landscape/budget/etc). However it's really up to you how big or how small you want your pond.

Of course, the smaller your pond the more limited options you have in choosing your plants and fish.

The size of your pond will also depend on any additions you had in mind as well. For example, adding a waterfall or a fountain. Your pond will have to be large enough to incoporate these additions in such a way that there will be little to no water lose. This means that you don't want water to be splashing out of your pond otherwise you'll eventually deplete your pond of water.

If you're not looking to add any water devices, fish, or large fancy aquatic plants then your pond can be almost any size you want.

Reward for Missing FISH??

I promised you news with all the tips and information. Here's a great one. Really shows you how much we can fall in love with our pond. - Check it out!

Physician offers reward for return of stolen fish - Journal Times Online

Physician offers reward for return of stolen fish Journal Times Online, WI - Jul 29, 2006 ... McNulty wants whoever stole his beloved Koi to return his fish. The fish disappeared from his backyard pond sometime last weekend, on either July 22 or 23. ...

technorati tags:backyard, pond, koi, stolen, fish, reward, physician

Got Green Water and Still asking "What's An Ultraviolet Sterilizer" ?

UV Sterilizers help kill and control most bacteria, viruses and parasites. It can also help prevent the unwanted 'green water' symptom that so many of us suffer with.

Sounds great right? Well it actually is, but it can be rather complex for some people. If you're looking for more information on UV Sterilizers heres a great little article on the subject. Note, that this article is targeted at marine fish, however it still has some great tips and info on UV Sterilizers:

The UV Sterilizer: Friend or Foe

by Michael G. Livadas

References - The UV Sterilizer: Friend or Foe

UV Sterilizers come in all types, shapes and sizes. It's best to drop by your local stores to find what will work best for your pond. When shopping for UV Sterilizers no one can give you better information for your exact needs then a reputable local supplier. Make friends and you'll both benefit from it.

If you're a serious Pond Owner I highly recommend adding a UV Sterilizer. Anything that helps keep my pond ecosystem going healthy longer, and doesn't require constant maintenance and care on my part, is alright with me =)

Personally, I'm currently using the Tetra Pond UV. It's absolutey fantasitc!. Combine this with my pumps and filters and my water is clear as...well..you get the picture.

technorati tags:backyard, pond, UV, ultraviolet, sterilizer, green, water, bacteria, parasites, viruses, tips, clear, water

Oxygen Balancing ??

As I'm sure you're all well aware. Your fish and any other pond dwellers, need oxygen! Plants assist in the release of oxygen into your Pond. BUT, too many plants, algae, dirt and contaminants can cause a rapid depletion of your ponds Oxygen levels. 

Getting a well balanced ecosystem requires a well balance of plants and animals.

Too many plants may deplete Oxygen levels, but too many fish will result in the same effect.

Filters, fountains and waterfalls help aerate the pond. Moving water well assist you to achieving a well balanced ecosystem.  Remember, balance is the key to a happy and healthy pond.

technorati tags:backyard, pond, fish, filters, fountains, waterfalls, oxygen, levels, depletion, balanced, ecosystem, happy, healthy

Preventing Algae in your Pond!!

The simpliest and most nature friendly way to prevent and reduce Algae growth in your pond is to add Anacharis Plants to your pond.

Anacharis Plants are underwater plants that use up the nutrients that would otherwise feed growing algae.You've likely seen these in fish aquairums. It's highly recommended that every pond have some Anacharis.For all those that have Koi fish in their ponds, keep in mind that Koi fish tend to eat Anacharis plants so you'll want to include some form of plant protection.

Anacharis.jpg (JPEG Image, 428x342 pixels)

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, preventing, algae, growth, koi, fish, anacharis, aquatic, plant

More Posts to Come!!!

Sorry for the the 'dead air' the last little while. There was a little issue where Blogger had mistakenly marked me as an auto blogger. However, things are getting corrected and soon enough everything will be back to normal.

My apologies once again to everyone that returns looking for updated postings.

Let it Flow ??

Great little article to read with additional tips and suggestions. - Check it out!

Let it flow - Pioneer Press

Let it flow Pioneer Press, MN - 16 hours ago ... viewing platform.". The Cunninghams' big backyard pond is set against a whimsical playhouse with a front porch and two-tiered roof. The ...

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, flow, waterfall, rocks

Comment and Discuss To your hearts content!

You are more then welcome to comment on the postings you find here in my blog. Leave a note stating what you liked or disliked about the information. Ask a question about the post. Post a comment related to the post.

Everyone's welcome to answer and/or comment on anything they find here.

Post and comment away! However, please keep your posts clean and respectful to everyone.

Thanks

Build your Pond with the KIDS!

Interested in making your pond creation an enjoyable event with the kids? Home depot has a great little frog and goldfish pond kit that will do just that!

Do I sound like a Home Depot sales rep? lol. Don't worry i'm not, but I still think it's a great deal and a great idea if you have kids!

Kids frog and goldfish pond kit

Model 7126410

Price: $58.00/ea Price includes shipping! (that's US dollars)

Unfortunately the link to this offer is super long so i've neglected from adding it here. If you're interested go to www.homedepot.com and type "Kids frog and goldfish pond kit" in the search box usually found at the top-right of the page and the offer page should appear.

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, frog, goldfish, kids, home, depot

Weird News: Missing......pet Fish?

Here's an article on the video posted just below. So you can either read about it here OR watch it below. Or if you're like me you'll probably enjoy doing both! =)

Weird News: Missing...pet fish
The Associated Press

NASHUA, N.H. — Cats and dogs who wander from home get reunited with their owners all the time.

But fish?

Floodwaters from the Merrimack River recently swamped the Brand family’s backyard pond, sweeping away seven of their 11 Koi fish and depositing them on the third fairway of the nearby Nashua Country Club.

“By the time I could get out there, I found only four fish,” Eric Brand said. “Just figured the rest were carried away and had dried up somewhere.”

The flooding had left enough water on the golf course to keep the fish alive long enough for David Deane, a city alderman and groundskeeper, to find them.

Deane said he was pumping water off the course when he noticed the fish flopping on the ground. Thinking they might be pets, he went to get a bucket.

Brand said a neighbor saw an item in The Sunday Telegraph on May 28 about Deane’s fish rescue and called Brand, leaving him a message. But Brand didn’t hear it for more than a week.

On Tuesday, the Brands were reunited with their fish.

Kansas City Star | 06/14/2006 | Weird News: Missing...pet fish

technorati tags:backyard, pond, koi, fish, missing, flood

Run Away Koi Fish? ...

Ok everyone has to check this out!

If you haven't seen this you need to. It's a news cast from New England Cable News. How far do you think your fish can travel?


http://video.necn.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?activePane=info&ClipID1=827469

Want An Above Ground Pond ?? - READ THIS FIRST!

For those that have considered or already have an above ground pond here's a great site of someones own personal experience with having an above ground pond. She even lists her PROS and CONS on the matter. Some very important points that she lists that I'm sure everyone wants to read are her "If I had it to do over note".

It's a must read for those interested or already owning an Above Ground Pond! - Check it out!

My Above Ground Pond/My Watergarden

For those of you who still haven't made up your mind about whatkind of pond to build I would like to tell you a little bit about mine,and how it is to live with this kind of pond.

Priscilla's Pages: My Above Ground Pond

Sign up for the Backyard Ponds and Water Gardens Newsletter

For those that have already signed up from another website to receive the newsletter, you dont need to sign up in the option boxes located at the top-right of my blog.

However, for those that have not signed up yet. I do recommend that you do. By signing up you will receive additional information ( guides and information) that you may not find posted here on the blog.

Sign up is of course free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

I'm here to find all the best information available out there for you! So sign up now and continue returning back here for the daily updates.

Click to Beautiful Pond Pictures ...

Flickr.com has a fantastic collection of photos and images taken from people all around the world. For those who aren't familiar with Flickr, they are a photo sharing site. You can post, share, and search for all kinds of pictures.

I could spend hours surfing through some of the amazing images posted on Flickr.com.

Here's a link that will take you directly to the search results for 'backyard ponds' - Check it out!

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=backyard%20pond&w=all&m=tags

They have some excellent pond and water garden shots too! I've posted a few samples below.

Roath Park, Wales on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

technorati tags:photo, image, picture, backyard, ponds, water, garden, sharing

Hands-on Session on Building a Backyard water Garden!

For all you people that are in and around North-Eastern Pennsylvania, there is a hands-on session on building backyard water gardens available on August 16.

I came across this article from the TimesLeader.com website. - Check it out if you're in the area!

Installing a Backyard Pond, a hands-on session on building a backyard water garden. Presented by Creekside Gardens. Luzerne Conservation District, 485 Smith’s Pond Road, Shavertown. Aug. 26. $15. Reservations: 674-7991.

Times Leader | 07/14/2006 | THIS WEEK: JULY 14 to 20, 2006

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, water, garden, hands-on, pennslvania

Backyard Ponds are Making a Splash!

Here's a recent article from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune displaying how much Backyard Ponds are expanding.

Gushing fountains, fish-filled ponds are making a splash - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Gushing fountains, fish-filled ponds are making a splash Sarasota Herald-Tribune,?FL?- 13 hours ago ... They were able to save the backyard pond, and they plan to expand it. "There's nothing more tranquil than a water feature, by day or night," Myers says. ...

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, fish, fountains, splash, water

Pond...its pay back!

An Article Written by Kassidy Emmerson at AssociatedContent.com. It's a great read - Check it out!

The Benefits of a Backyard Pond

And How it Can Help You!

Are you thinking about putting a pond in your backyard? Small, ornamental ponds that host plants, Dragonflies, and colorful Butterflies can add a decorative touch. But the type of pond I'm referring to is a real pond that's dug deep into the earth. There are many benefits of a backyard pond that can be stocked and cultivated. For example, if a pond is large enough, it can be stocked with fish such as Catfish, Bluegills, Crappies, et cetera. Once the fish are grown, you can catch them and eat them. Another idea is to raise Koi fish and other smaller types of fish. You can then sell them to people who want to stock their ownsmaller ponds. Or, talk to the local pet shop and maybe you can strike up a deal to supply them with certain varieties of fish.

The Benefits of a Backyard Pond - Associated Content

technorati tags:backyard, pond, benefits

An Idea.....And 4 Ponds Later

Dowagiac Daily News - Dowagiac Daily News

Dowagiac Daily News

Dowagiac Daily News Dowagiac Daily News,  USA - Jul 10, 2006 Ed Toy's wife Lee Ann wanted a backyard pond when they built a new house. Five years and 300,000 pounds of rocks later they have ...

technorati tags:backyard, pond, ponds, rocks

Where Should I Build My Backyard Pond?

This seems to be a burning question to most people. Understandably so, as it is the first step to building a backyard pond and usually the deciding factor of whether they want one or not, or if it is even feasible. Of course I believe any backyard can have a pond. However, as with everything, there are likely exceptions.

Decks and Patios

If you have a deck or patio try putting your pond where you can see it. Choose a location in sight from your favourite spot on the deck. That way you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the pond while relaxing in your favourite spot. Another suggestion for those with railings around a side of their deck or patio is to place the pond on the other side of the railings. This gives people the luxury of leaning against the railing (as a lot of people like to do) as they watch the pond. By doing this, it also gives the person a feeling of being 'someplace else'.

Ground surface

Make sure that the soil and ground around the pond is slightly elevated to allow excess water to flow away from the pond and not into it. You dont want to continuously be cleaning out guck and mud from your pond. Also, make sure that no water drains towards the house. Most backyards have a slight decline to them the farther you move away from the house. This forces water build up, from such sources as rain, to run away from the house. Keep this idea in mind when selecting a location for your pond.

FromUp Above

If you think you may want to add lighting/water-fall affects/etc to your pond, either immediately or possibly in the future, you will want to make sure that the location contians or can maintain electrical services and devices.

An extra note, depending on your personal desire, take good observations of the surrounding area where your pond will sit. Are there a lot of trees? Do you want it mostely in the shade or in the sunlight? Or both? Are there objects that may fall into the pond such as leaves?

Tub Kits and above ground ponds.

If you do not have space in your backyard for a 'in-ground' pond, you do have other options that will give you the same affect as most ground ponds. "Tub" ponds or large water bowls can be placed directly on your patio or deck. There are plenty of decorations that you can place around the bowls that equal the beauty of any in-ground pond. An added bonus is that they are usually cheaper then in-ground ponds and can also be moved indoors during the cold seasons.

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Hope this information helped to ease some of your burning questions. If you have anymore questions feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer them for you. And if I dont know I'll even go through the trouble of finding it for you! Everyone deserves a backyard pond =)

Watch as the water falls?

Added on January 23, 2006, 01:02 PM
by rneumann (3 videos)Our ponds waterfall after re-built. No plants yet. The water flows at around 2,500 gph. It's not as loud as the video sounds. This was taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5000.

YouTube - Loch Neumann's Waterfall Version 2

Very nice looking waterfall video that I came across on youTube.com. Simply click on the posted video above, sit back and relax. =)

technorati tags:backyard, pond, waterfall, video

Great Pond Pictures!

I've found some terrific pictures of ponds in all shapes and sizes at

http://www.pondmagic.com/Pond_Magic_Client_Profiles.html

Now they are a Pond and Water Gardens design and installation company.  However, if you're like me you would probably rather build your own backyard pond ( Or at least be the mastermind behind its design )  There's no better satisfaction then building something you love with your own 2 hands.

Nonetheless, it's a great site to look at for pictures and ideas. Of course, you always have the option of getting those at PondMagic to do the work for you....

technorati tags:backyard, pond, water, garden, pictures, image, photo

More Quick Pond Tips from People Just like You!

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010625b.cfm

I've just come across this great little article where people can post their replies to the following question posted on the site by someone named Brenda.

Seeking Tranquility

I'd like to build a really inexpensive back yard pond. Have any ideas on this?
Brenda

technorati tags:backyard, pond, tip, cheap, made, easy, seeking, tranquility

Backyard Ponds - Quick Tips from the NRCS

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/BkPond.html

Found this great link to some quick tips for backyard pond installation and care.  For those who are not familiar with NRCS, it stands for Natural Resources Conservation Service.  The NRCS is a part of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Backyard Pond A pond or water garden will likely become the focal point for all your backyard conservation. In your backyard Backyard ponds and water gardens are for birds, butterflies, frogs, fish, and you and your family. These ponds are typically small, sometimes no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. They may be built in barrels or other patio containers. Water is effective in drawing wildlife to your backyard. It is also a natural, relaxing, and scenic addition that can provide interest and enjoyment.

Thanks to the NRCS for the great article. - go check it out!

-soul

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, conservation, installation, tips, water, garden

"Parade of Ponds" - An Annual Tour of Backyard Ponds ?

Ponds on display July 8-9 - Pueblo Chieftain

I just found this Article about a 'pond show' coming up this weekend. Very cool that people are willing to show off their ponds.

Ponds on display July 8-9 Pueblo Chieftain, CO - Jun 26, 2006 ... Every yard has a treasure to see. These ponds have their own personalities.". She started her backyard pond because she was a water gardener. ...

technorati tags:backyard, ponds, show, display, july, parade

Hello All Backyard Pond Enthusiasts

Hello Everyone - I look forward to bringing you the latest in Backyard pond information.

Speak soon

soul