How to make a fishpond

rebjm · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 06:39 PM

I'm wanting to turn a large old pot in our backyard (which currently has dead plants, compacted soil, and mosquito attracting water in it) into a fish pond.

I'm guess I have to empty it and seal up the hole. i

Has anyone done some thing similar?

hanabi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 07:47 PM

Search the Gardening Australia website - there should be several How-To articles for water gardens. You can plug the hole with silicone but you may still need to paint sealant inside if it isn't glazed. Which means you might need to let it cure before you fill it with water ... not sure ...

Mappins Nursery in Kenmore (or follow Gap Creek Rd from The Gap) specialises in water plants and will be able to advise you further. If you fill it with city tap water you must also let the water rest for a while before adding fish and plants. You may also need a pump to circulate the water ... again, best ask for specific advice.

Sounds like fun though! I love water plants and I just put a bunch of reeds and lillies into our dam. Crossing fingers that they take. The last bunch I bought all struggled in the shallows during the drought.

spiralgirl · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 11:45 PM

you need to ask an expert so you dont poison the fish too i guess

ohh and i have planty of native water plants that you can have ( multiplying like mad) and i know a great contact for buying native fish that eat mozzie larvae but dont eat frog tadpoles!) oh and make sure you move it out the front so e cant explore!

Winnie1 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008, 10:02 AM

We have a large glazed pot, so as already said you will need to use a proper sealant on the inside as well as blocking up the whole - I did this years ago with a friends pot, but I can;t remember what the hole plugging stuff was - it was two plastasine like bits that I squished together and then put it in the whole (sorry not much help there).

We have a water plant in ours and lots of weed for the fish to eat (they don't always get food - even though DS loves feeding them) it gets the sun for a couple of hours int eh afternoon, which is not really ideal - as the more sun the more algae, so if you can keep it in the shade its best.

We don;t use a pump, we used to, not sure why we stopped. Anyway, the fish are thriving, as are the plants and its attracted snails now, so they do a bit of cleaning

Have fun