Bubbles in the pond

I'm watching the Today show and saw a bathtub filled with different size Christmas ball ornaments. I'm thinking why can't I do that in my pond instead of all the tacky styrofoam? I don't know where I can get six inch or so plastic ornaments, but I'm going to do a web search. Tis the seasons for sales in a couple of days. Whoo hooo!

Most decorator stores have the larger plastic balls for Christmas, they use them for outdoor trees. Places like Old Tyme Pottery have the green glass blown "lobster balls" they used to use to keep the lobster nets afloat. They come in a range of colors and sizes, but if you have a liner, be careful to not break them (although theyre very thick and I've never had one break)
MerryMary

If you have a Big Lots near, they had large Plastic Christmas (6 inches)ornaments. And As of tomorrow they should be 1/2 price.

I found ornaments at the Dollar Tree for $.50 a box. I bought 20 boxes and I really like the effect. Looks better then the styrofoam I had in there but that did it's job when the leaves were falling by helping to keep the net out of the water. I'll do it again next year I think. Meanwhile, until it warms up enough for the plants, bubbles it is!

I love it! I'll have to check my local Dollar store! They are very festive looking. Are they plastic or are they glass? How about a closeup?

Thanks Pixy, I love it too. They're plastic... I think the glass are too fragile. I went back yesterday and bought out the rest of the pale gold ones. The wind is shoving them off to one side and I see that's pretty much where the fish are hanging out. I fed them a bit yesterday and by golly, every one has made it so far. They're only a $1.00 total investment at Petco but I'm kinda fond of them. There's three different sizes. (Oops, the balls I mean, not the fish.) LOL

This message was edited Dec 28, 2005 10:12 AM

The rubber duckie makes a stunning addition! LOL That looks great! It's been so warm here that my fish are starting to get out and about. I also see that the string algae is starting to grow again. My DH bought me some waders for Christmas so I could get into the pond and clean it! What a guy!
Would you like some baby shubunkins? I have so many of them and I'm going to have to get most of them out of the pond and into someplace else or I'll have an overloaded filter! I'd like to find homes for many of them. The Lovely Lady Lily (the large white one) is the momma fish. She is very prolific!

Here is a blurry photo of one of her babies from the summer. We called them little ghost fishies. Now they have small spots. They are very very cute.

Pixy, I'd love some. Are they as tough as goldfish? I'm pretty new to this and just avoided one fish massacre.

Yes, they are extremely tough and just as easy as goldfish. They are related to goldfish. Let me know when you'd like to come and get some. I'm off work the rest of the week and I'm just being lazy at home but you can come anytime you like. I'll dmail you directions.

What a neat offer! Will Friday work for you? Do I bring plastic bowls or bags? Thanks!

Ummm, maybe tomorrow would be better. Saturday is New Years Eve and I don't want to compete with any folks getting an early start on my way back home. Will that work for you?

This message was edited Dec 28, 2005 11:01 AM

I'll dmail you!

oh i wish i lived closer to you,i just biuld a pond and would love to try these fish, i hope you find good homes for them great pics
moretz

I wish you did, too! Katy took a few, and then I freecycled the rest. But I know there will be more babies this year. Wish I could mail them!

i wish you could mail them too my daughter would love you forever lol

The "bubbles" are a very interesting idea! Kind of looks like really expensive caviar. LOL I have to say I have never seen such a thing but it's neat!

Badseed, they've been perfect. I haven't lost a fish. In fact I'm trying to figure if Pixy's shubunkin have grown like weeds or my goldfish spawned without my knowing it. I have more now than the 10 + 4 babies I thought I had. I'm happy in any case. ;~)

Fish certainly have a way of multiplying without you knowing it. LOL I'm trying to remember the correct water temp. I think they mate when the water hits like 70 degrees. You will see foamy stuff floating and soon after you will find the eggs and various stages of fishes.

I'm sort of afraid my kids might dive in my pond if I fill it with all the pretty bubbles.;)

Badseed, are your kids two legged or four legged? LOL

Both! I have six kids and a chocolate lab and a cat to boot!

Katy, I'm beginning to think you have spawners. I can't see how the fish I gave you could have grown that much. It's still too cold.
And by the way, I've heard about the foamy stuff Badseed is referring to, but I never had any in my pond. I think because in the summer I have loads of vegetation in the shallow water, and lots of small rocks. I believe the spawning took place under cover of lots of plants. The first thing I ever saw that clued me in was a miniscule baby fish! Then about 300 more!!!

By the way, I tried your idea with the Christmas ornaments. I couldn't find plastic ones since it was so late after the holidays, so I went ahead with glass ones and they are working fine. I used that pipe foam insulation to make a small circle that floats in the water with the christmas balls inside it. It's like a small floating island and the fish do use it. I'll have to take a photo for you.

Oh yes, a photo please! I've wondered how to corrall to keep some on the windy side of the pond.

Had to wait until daylight. Here it is. Another nasty, rainy and cold day. Ugh.
I still like your plastic bubbles better. It looks like some of the paint might be coming off of mine. I may have to take them out. Next year I'll look for plastic ones earlier in the season.

You could use a hoola-hoop to corral them I bet. I use one in the summer with shade cloth over it to give the fish shade, and hide them from predator birds, herrons to be specific.

Thanks Sheila, hmmm between you and Pixydish I'll have it figured out about the time to bring the plants back. LOL

Yes, Sheila. Actually, your post about that earlier this year is what gave me the idea! But no hoolahoops available to me in January, at least at my usual shopping places.

Well that is true, I forgot what time of year it was since we are in a weird weather year. LOL! I picked my up at a dollar store.