Set Up Your Own Goldfish Ponds
If you love taking care of small animals then try adapting a
goldfish as your next pet. All you have to do is to get an aquarium or build a goldfish
pond. Of the two, building goldfish ponds is the better option. You don't only get to enjoy them more - you will also have
the chance of breeding goldfish in ponds.
A goldfish pond comes in different sizes. The size of the goldfish pond
basically depends upon the owner. Goldfish grows relative to the size of their
habitat. So if you have a big pond, expect the goldfish to grow to their
maximum, especially if it contains just the right number of fish.
How to Setup Goldfish Ponds
- Get all the tools
needed
Before you start digging, make sure you have all the tools ready. To build
a goldfish pond, you are going to need a shovel, a long rope, pond liner,
pond under layer, filter system, coping stones, and decorative plants. You
might as well prepare the other equipments needed such as the filter
system, pump, and a fountain or waterfall, should you want the pond to be
more attractive. - Decide where the pond
will be built
Look around the area and determine the best spot for the pond. It should be
somewhere free from possible pollutants. Goldfish in ponds are a perfect
attraction in any yard. Select a place where everybody can easily see and
appreciate your pets. The ideal place for a pond is one near your house so
that it is easy to line electricity for the filter system and pumps. Don't
put it at the end of a garden that is sloping down. The garden chemicals
may run to the pond and kill the fish. Select an area where there is
enough, but not too much sunlight. It should also be away from trees that
could cause leaves to fall into the pond. - Determine the size of
your pond
The size of your pond should be right for the area you have selected.
Also, put into consideration the number of fish you'd like to put in the
pond. Small ponds won't give enough space for 5 goldfish to swim around.
Go for a bigger pond because a goldfish is considered to be an active pet.
- Construct the pond
with different depths
Build your goldfish pond like a swimming pool with shallow and deep areas.
This would make the pond more natural for the goldfish. If you live in an
area where the snow can really be thick, construct the pond with as much
as 16 inches of water below the freeze zone. In places with moderate
climates, a pond two feet deep is good enough.
- Determine the shape
you want for the pond
Dig according to the shape you'd like the pond to follow. Line it
according to that shape and use a pond under layer to ensure that the pond
stays that way. Then put the pond liner and spread it out. - Install the filters,
pumps, and waterfalls
Position all the equipments needed by the pond to assure its
functionality. Follow the instructions that come with the pump and filter
system for ease of setup. - Decorate
Arrange the stones, the plants, and everything else that you want to use
as decoration for your goldfish pond. Try to make the pond as natural as
possible by using real plants. - Fill the pond up
Now that your pond is built, you can put water into it. Fill it until the
water is just a few inches from the lid. Remove chlorine from the water
using the solutions available from pet shops.
How to Maintain a Goldfish Pond
- Clean the pond
regularly
Remove any debris that could jam the pump and the filter system such as
leaves and twigs. Take out some 25% of the water from the pond once every
two weeks and replace it with fresh water. - Ensure that there's
always water movement in the pond
Water movement oxygenate the water, as well as prevents contaminant from
entering. When the water becomes stagnant at any point, try to repair the
system right away. - Feed fish according
to the temperature of the water
During warm weather, goldfish needs to eat more. When it is cold, they
don't need to eat much. Don't overfeed as it will only pollute the pond
and could even kill the fish.
These are the proper care of goldfish for ponds. These
should give you an idea as to how to feed the fish and how they react to the
different climates. Also, know that gold fish are prone to diseases. Ich, fin
rot, and fungus, are the most common problems. These are bacterial infections
so make sure that you treat the water regularly so as to make sure that it is
always clean and healthy.
If you have a big backyard and loves taking care of fish, then goldfish ponds
are perfect for you. Try to breed goldfish too, while you are at it. Breeding
goldfish in ponds is not only fun - it can even give you a fortune should you
decide to sell them!