Turning An Ordinary Garden Fountain Into A Fish Pond

Home & Garden Blog

Watching fish swimming can be a natural stress reliever. Studies show that individuals who watch fish swim have lower blood pressure. If you want to enjoy the benefits live fish can provide, then turning an ordinary garden fountain into a fish pond could be the answer. Here are some tips to help you get started. 

1. Make sure your garden fountain is completely waterproof.

While it might not be a big deal if your fountain leaks when no fish are present, falling water levels could compromise the health of your fish. If you notice any cracks beginning to form on your garden fountain, it would be wise to install a liner prior to adding any fish.

The liner will help to prevent leaks, and protect your fish from scraping themselves along the side of your garden container in the future.

2. Make sure your water is properly oxygenated.

Fish need access to a ready supply of oxygen in order to maintain proper health. Without dissolved oxygen filter bacteria can't ammonia waste into nitrate, and the quality of your water could be compromised. Since a garden fountain will likely be a stagnant pool, you should consider adding a bubbler to keep the water oxygenated.

Be sure that you are paying attention to environmental conditions like temperature when considering the oxygen needs of your fish. Higher water temperatures have a reduced ability to dissolve oxygen, so the constant supply of oxygen provided by a bubbler can be beneficial during warm months.

3. Select the right aquatic plants.

Adding plants to your fountain-turned-fish pond can give your fish a place to hide, and it can also add to the health of your pond water. Floating plants can significantly reduce water temperature, allowing for higher dissolved oxygen levels. Experts suggest that smaller ponds have 50% to 70% coverage when it comes to floating plants.

Submerged plants contribute to the ecology of your fish pond. These plants grow completely below the water line, and provide both hiding places and food for your fish. Be sure that you include both floating and submerged plants when converting your garden fountain into a fish pond.   

If you are looking for a simple way to add more character to your outdoor living space, introducing fish is a simple solution. By using a liner, installing a bubbler, and incorporating aquatic plants into your design, you will be able to transform your existing garden fountain into a fish pond. To replace the fountain, contact an outlet of garden water fountains for sale.

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18 August 2015