Does anyone have a small garden pond...?

[WhoDatChick]

Hello! Was wondering what type of fish could I put in my pond.. plus what is a good pump for it.. and is it hard to keep them clean..? Where to get Lilly pads.. do you have to clean them regularly..? I’ve looked online but there is so much info.. I’d like to hear personal experience... thanks!

 

[Melodychick]

what size pond are you thinking? I have a tiny plastic one with one lily pad and some La Iris. No fish or pump, just lots of frogs. I’m interested to see what others have to say, since I’ve been considering going larger. As for where to get plants, I got most of mine from the Crosby Arboretum here in Picayune, Ms. So not too far from you. They are closed right now though, due to the virus. I have plenty La Iris ⚜ I could give you too, if you decide you want some. They are blooming now, so not a good time to move them, August/September is best for them.

 

[WhoDatChick]

what size pond are you thinking? I have a tiny plastic one with one lily pad and some La Iris. No fish or pump, just lots of frogs. I’m interested to see what others have to say, since I’ve been considering going larger. As for where to get plants, I got most of mine from the Crosby Arboretum here in Picayune, Ms. So not too far from you. They are closed right now though, due to the virus. I have plenty La Iris ⚜ I could give you too, if you decide you want some. They are blooming now, so not a good time to move them, August/September is best for them.
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Thank you so much! It is about 8x6.. and it’s just off my patio.. it is surrounded by cement.. the people before us had a tree with some plants in it but all that was left when we got here was monkey grass... I appreciate your offer for iris.. I actually have some ... I’d like to put some goldfish but it will need a pump for that I think..
Thank you for responding!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Your pond should be built based on what you want in it. If you just want some goldfish, you can likely drop a canister filter in there and a pump and do fine- they need almost nothing. If you instead decide to go with Koi, you're changing the game because they need a lot more filtration because they are messy and grow really fast (but are beautiful!). If you are going to make it a bog-like pond with a ton of plants, then you will get the big benefit of a lot of extra bio-filters in the plant roots and they'll even "establish" your pond over a year or so with beneficial bacteria, a complete eco-system!

Here's my pond. I love my chickens, but fish are so much more calming, for sure! When I want to smile and laugh I go watch chickens. When I want to rest and be calm, 100% at the pond.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Your pond should be built based on what you want in it. If you just want some goldfish, you can likely drop a canister filter in there and a pump and do fine- they need almost nothing. If you instead decide to go with Koi, you're changing the game because they need a lot more filtration because they are messy and grow really fast (but are beautiful!). If you are going to make it a bog-like pond with a ton of plants, then you will get the big benefit of a lot of extra bio-filters in the plant roots and they'll even "establish" your pond over a year or so with beneficial bacteria, a complete eco-system!

Here's my pond. I love my chickens, but fish are so much more calming, for sure! When I want to smile and laugh I go watch chickens. When I want to rest and be calm, 100% at the pond.

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That is amazing! So beautiful! Thank you for your response!

 

[WhoDatChick]

It’s up and running!

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

Hello! Was wondering what type of fish could I put in my pond.. plus what is a good pump for it.. and is it hard to keep them clean..? Where to get Lilly pads.. do you have to clean them regularly..? I’ve looked online but there is so much info.. I’d like to hear personal experience... thanks!

Remove each plant from its original container, fill with soil mix at the bottom of the new pot, place the plant root ball inside and fill again. Place a fertilizer tablet on the side of each bowl, then dress up with a layer of gravel or small pebbles – this will prevent the soil mix from floating and dirtying the water of the pond.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Remove each plant from its original container, fill with soil mix at the bottom of the new pot, place the plant root ball inside and fill again. Place a fertilizer tablet on the side of each bowl, then dress up with a layer of gravel or small pebbles – this will prevent the soil mix from floating and dirtying the water of the pond.

Thank you!
I got some plants from someone else’s pond.. so they were already growing with roots in the water... hopefully they’ll start to produce more...