HOME & COTTAGE
CHOOSE A CONTAINER
Container ponds can be made from barrels cut in half, buckets, livestock watering troughs, large plant pots, bowls, or really anything else that you can think of. The type of container that you use depends on the size and shape of pond that you want – the larger the container, the more creative freedom that you’ll have with the amount and species of plants.
SUBSTRATE
Gravel or aquatic soil can be used on its own,
as this works well for providing nutrients to plant roots while also effectively holding them in place. If you would like, bricks or stones can be placed in deeper containers to raise plants to the level that you prefer. To take up less space, you can also use plant support rings that attach to the sides of the container and will hold plants still in their planting containers at the appropriate depth in the pond.
PUMP, HEATER & LIGHT
If you plan to add fish to your patio pond, you should invest in an air pump and a small heater. A light is also great for viewing your fish at night.
PLANTS
Use a mixture of submerged plants, such as
fanwort and anacharis, marginal plants like horsetail and cardinal flower, and floating plants such as water lettuce and dwarf water lily. Be sure to pay close attention to plant species’ needs and the size of your pond before purchasing them.
STEP 2. Place an inch or two of aquarium grade gravel or similar water-safe substrate. The deeper and larger your container, the more substrate you can use. You can use just the gravel, or decrease to half an inch of gravel-like substrate with half an inch or so of soil, sand, or clay beneath for plants to dig roots into. STEP 3. Add water . Your container pond can be filled either with collected rainwater, as many sources urge due to its relative purity, or with tap water. In either case, test the water first using a testing kit and treat as needed to obtain the desired pH level, water hardness, etc. and to remove harmful compounds such as ammonia and chlorine. STEP 4. Add the air pump and heater. Be sure to use an outdoor-safe electrical cord or choose a solar pump. For those who would like to put fish in their pond, you may need to find a method to keep the water cool in the summer heat. STEP 5. Plants. You’ll want plants to cover 25 to 75 per cent of the container pond to ensure proper water filtration and oxygenation. Submerged plants should only be used if your container is a foot or
more in depth, while marginal plants will require anywhere from a centimetre to several inches of standing water. STEP 6. Add fish. You can add a few small fish to your patio pond, such as common goldfish (less than two inches). you can only add one betta fish — after all, they are also known as Siamese fighting fish. It’s best to seek advice about suitable fish for your particular patio pond. STEP 7. Enjoy. Feed your fish an appropriate food as recommended and check water quality once a month. Maintain your pond with regular water changes as recommended.
SUMMER 2021 www.pei-living.ca
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