build a pond

I’ve got the 35 gal plastic container and escape route log. In theory, I don’t have to sink it in the ground, but it gets so hot here, that if I don’t, even a 35 gal container is going to get hot. Maybe I could place it so it is shadowed by one of my trees in the afternon?

I hear gold fish will grow big and multiply if given enough space. I wonder if 35 gal is big enough for a dozen small commets to go forth and multiply? A container that small will freeze over in the winter, but I could use the fish as chicken food as it starts getting colder… seems a little heartless, but if I think of it as just another food source on the farmette… and I know birds will come to drink out of it because there is not much open water close by, and it is a good few miles fly to the lake for them. The birds that live in the neighbor’s trees will visit, for sure. Chipmunks and ground squirrels, too.

Ok, so am I really going to DO this in 2009?!

Who knew they could grow freely in the water?

I found an old plastic 35 gallon container that I will be using for my pond. And a small trunk from a dead tree to make an “escape ramp” for critters that fall in. Now I just have to dig the hole and get moving with this!

Design and build a 5,000+ gallon garden pond

I saw some cool ponds of only 25-50 gallons on the internet. They are made of plastic storage containers sunk into the ground. They don’t last more than a few years because of the material they are made of, but it could be a start. I saw that some people sunk discarded bath tubs and similar things into the ground, also. I will explore this idea further.

But, not being one who understands the word “can’t,” I guess that means I will just have to become more creative in attaining this goal. I’d love a 600 gallon stock tank, but even the smaller ones are several hundred dollars at our local farm supply. Maybe digging a hole in the ground will be what I end up doing, after all. I like the idea of raised sides, though – easier on my knees and hopefully less chance of a 3 year old child falling into it. The wheels are turning as I am NOT going to let go of this goal just because I have decided to put my money into flying and airplane rentals :-)

I will build my new pond in the garden of our new hotel.

Looking forward to it.

last summer i helped my cousin build what was going to be a koi pond, not the pond is finished and has all sorts of gold fish sucker fish and even a 3pound carp. there defenite worth while if you have the room and time for.
someday i will build my own..

I don’t have to worry about my granddaughter falling into it. She will always be under supervision in the fenced in garden area. So now, I can seriously think of some sort of water feature. Not too big as I don’t want it to take up too much of my growing space… but big enough for a few gold fish and a plecostemus or two… and some floating plants and maybe a solar water circulator or fountain.

More ideas…

• semi-submerge so that the tank is well below the frost line – to help keep it from freezing in the winter.

• how can I combat evaporation in our arid climate? Even when it is cold, it is very dry. And then, in the summer it is not only hot, but windy, too.

• will a “black disk” floating on the water absorb enough heat during the day to keep a major ice free area? Not sure what I would use as this “black floating disk” – maybe a frizbee?

• How will I keep it cool enough in the summer? Float ice in it? Shade?

• How much is a “stock tank” compared to a “pre-fab pond liner”? I like the idea of a stock tank, especially if it is more durable, being designed to hang out “in the elements.”

Probably won’t be able to do this before next spring, but the ideas are a flowing. It could add to a whole new dimension to my little veggie garden.

This project requires a lot of work but the final result is worth the effort. The work does not stop after the pond is installed. It requires quite a bit of maintenance to keep it clean and functional.

• The tanks are several feet tall – if I bury it at least a foot into the ground it will go below the frost line and also be somewhat insulated from the burning summer sun

• Plant shade plants on the south & west sides so that the tank will not be in the blazing sun all summer – trim them down in the winter so the tank can get some heat gain?

• Should be tall enough that little critters cannot climb up the slippery sides to get in – but if have plants in front of it, they may be able to get in from there… still no solution for this, but since it will be inside a fence, maybe this is not an issue

• Hooks can provide a method for hanging plants both inside and outside of the stock tank. Don’t want to put any holes in the tank as that will encourage deterioration of the container.

• Little solar pump should be enough for some water circulation, although it really won’t turn over too much water… maybe a miniature windmill water stirrer will help & add to the ambiance?

• Water need not go completely to the top of the tank

• We don’t get enough snow/rain in the desert to worry too much about overflow

• Get a few plecostomus (sp?) algee eaters – I understand they can get to 2 ft long or more! They are cool looking – very prehestoric – but the are non-agressive and only eat algee.

• Definately will need hiding places for fish as the lake near by is home to many fishing birds

• Winter is cold, but very clear and sunny; hopefully solar pump will keep the tank ice free – or at least keep an ice free section where the water will tumble and provide oxygen exchange

So many projects, so little time, so little money, so little energy. Well, dreaming doesn’t take too much time, takes no money, and puts energy back into the soul instead of extracting it. So I will continue to dream for a while.