Water gardens (ponds) are becoming quite popular in the States these days.
Early this spring I sunk a 6' diameter by 24" deep round cow trough, purchased
from the Dexter Mill for ~$150, into our back yard to serve as a water garden.
After filling it with water and some rocks set on cinder blocks to form a
shallow bank, I let it sit for about three weeks.  During this time I went
to Saquaro Gardens to participate in a aquatic gardening seminar.  It was
quite interesting but they were selling pond supplies so a lot of time was
spent on pumps, filters, pond liner material, etc.  Their basic pond added
up to something like $1,000 in hardware.  They talked about the nitrogen
cycle, filtration of water, water flow and other stuff that was necessary for
a proper pond habitat.  Since I wanted only a few hardy, domestic, fish with
some plants, I decided to skip adding a $200+ pump and filtration system and
only add stuff if I ran into problems.   (If I did need pumps and filters,
I found several aquarium pumps that would work for a LOT less $'s and pages
on the web that talked about building your own biological filters.)

On Memorial day the kids and I went to my work with a bucket and nets.  There
a several ponds around my work and some of them are loaded with Blue Gills.
We managed to catch three little ones, brought them home, let them float in
their new pond in a plastic bag for about 30 minutes to allow water
temperature to equalize and released them into the murky waters.

A week later my family and I went back to Saquaro Gardens to select water
plants.  They were running a sale on lily pads with unknown flower colors.
Being one who likes the unknown when it comes to such things, we got a couple
of those along with some floating "filter" plants.  We carefully set them in
the pond when we got home.

I never worried about feeding the fish.  Insects were constantly wandering
into the pond so I figured there was plenty for them to eat.  The first time
I moved the grass around the pond several tree hoppers jumped in and the Blue
Gills were right there to devour them.  Now they always come out looking for
critters when they hear the lawn mover!  As time passes the water gets clearer
and clearer and the plants keep looking better.  No water lily blooms yet,
but we do have a bud.  I'm also happy to say that all this is happening
without the aid of a pump or filter in our little 420 gallon pond.  It is a
enjoyable place to spend time watching the fish and other life in and around
the water and I'm looking forward to seeing how things go as time passes.

11 responses total.

Have you considered the wild water lilies and other native plants?
We have a 6'x2x2' trough if you need another pond.  This one has a pinhole
leak in it somewhere and was free.  I had no idea the larger ones cost more
than cheap bathtubs, but you can also get a plastic used bathtub probably
cheaper than a cow trough, at Reuse Center (or Freebies).

I'm happy with just the one pond.  I now have to figure out how to reduce the
algae that has taken hold.  Research needs to be done.

I'm interested in the trough, Sindi.

Stop by my backyard and take a look.  It is brown, near the gate.
More like a foot than two feet deep.  I was thinking of washing rugs in it
but could use the bathtub instead (more easily).  If you want it, take it.

Snails eat algae in fishbowls.  Also in ponds?  Do fish eat algae?

I have lots of snails and three Bluegills.  I'm sure they eat the stuff but
not fast enough to keep up with its growth.  Less sunlight seems to be the
answer.  That's happening automatically as the two lily pad plants are
taking over almost all of the waters surface now.  They are also sending
up lots of flowers!

Mussels are supposed to keep water clear.  When the Europeans came in and
killed off most of the mussels in the Mississipi to make pearl buttons, the
waters got muddier.  Do you have mussels or other filter feeders?

Humm, perhaps I should get some Zebra Mussels?  No, I wouldn't do that.  I
don't want sterile water.  The water is very clear.  It is the string algae
that is the problem and that wouldn't be consumed by filter feeders.

can you add oxygen?

Why would I want to add oxygen?  The fish are not gasping for air.  An air
stone might help to circulate the water.

What is an air stone?

A porous little stone attached to one end of a plastic tube with the other
end attached to an air pump.  They use to be very common in aquariums.

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