plastic ponds

I've seen those small plastic
ponds at lowes, but they have this
this fountain tubing stuff to go with it, does anyone know if there are
any types of plants that would
keep the water in the pond from not
becomming so yuky,, don't want to
invest in all that fountain stuff,
just want to put in some goldfish
so my pooch will have some entertainment this summer..
deller

Deller, First welcome to Dave's Garden.

I have 2 ponds in my yard. 1 is the plastic preformed. We have a fountain in that one with the filter and all. The other one is a giant blue pot that I am growing water lettuce in. There are guppies in that pond. The water lettuce roots oxygenate the water so a filtration is not necessary. One of my customers has a very large still water pond with goldfish. Most of the plants he keeps help do the trick. So the key to not having a fountain/filtration system is to have plants that ogygenate. Since you are not in the sun belt, you will have to worry about water freezing. I'm sure someone else will help us out here.

:^) MOlly

Deller,
You can easily run water containers w/o filters or pumps, but as Molly states, you will need to add oxygen to the water.
Oxygenating plants will do the trick.
Try Anacharis canadensis or Limnophila aquatica. They are both easily attainable at pet stores.

Make sure you let the water sit for at least 24 hours before adding any fish or plants. This lets the chlorine evaporate out.

The problem is balancing out the # and size of the fish to the amount of water and plants.
Start slowly and let the plants establish, then go for a few feeder goldfish.

If you're a novice at aquariums, which is basically what you making, I'd just spend about 10 bucks and buy a small pump. Put a rock in the water so it sticks out and let the water run over it (and back into the pond of course).
This will oxygenate the water, move it around so it doesn't get stagnate, and provide a little visual interest.

Are you going to break this pond down come Winter or leave it up?

Ric

Thanks for the great advice..
I will follow your instructions.
As far as the pump, Where I
want to put the pond, I don't
have access to electricity,
are there any pumps that run
off of batteries?
The pond is just an experiment, something I saw and
thought I'd give it a try.
anymore thoughts on this subject
please send them my way...
thanks
deller

hi everyone, what I am trying to figure out is to have a small water pond. Today I picked up at a Goodwill store one of those decorative water fountain displays. there is a submersable water pump which goes inside the water holding area and then the water trickles down and goes back to the "water tank".

I just want this to sit on a little bench on my deck so we can hear and see the water trickle over some small rocks and polished stones. ideas? thanks, jeani4
PS on the pump label it states: 6W, o.1A,120V 60hz

Just a brief comment on Ric's post concerning chlorine in the water. Some areas use chloramines to sanitize their water. If this is the case in your area of VA, 24 hours isn't enough time. Check with your local water company and find out if they use chlorine or chloramines. If it is the later, get a dechlorinator at your local pet store and use it according to directions.

Happy Ponding
Patti
www.rosepond.com

There are small pumps that run on batteries available. Sorry I can't remember where I saw them. Maybe someone else knows. Jessamine

Patty.
Good point on the chloramines.
I have several water falls in my ponds so both are dissapated rather quickly on a tap water fill..
I then usually use rain water for refilling ponds and then pond water for containers so neither are really a factor w/ me.

There are also solar pumps available in small sizes/
Course the sun goes down the pump goes off.

Ric