Although you may have favorite tropical fish for your indoor aquarium, when it comes to setting up an outdoor pond you may have to adjust your selections a bit. What works inside may not work outside where the environmental conditions can be harder to keep under control. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular pond fish for outdoor habitats.
* First, before you even think about putting fish into your pond you should make sure that you turn on the pump and filtration device and let it circulate for at least 5-7 days. This allows for everything in the pond to neutralize out and also lets you test your equipment. Better to find out before you put your expensive fish in the pond that something isn’t right! Don’t forget to test the pH as well at the end of the 5-7 days.
* Next, the golden rule of thumb is you should allow 24 square inches of pond for every 1 inch of fish. Goldfish and Koi Carp are two of the more popular outdoor fish that people place in ponds. However, if you want to spend a little bit more money you can also look into getting Japanese Koi and Israel Koi which can add some welcome variety to the pond.
* Once you’ve made your selection it’s time to introduce them to the pond. This is a multi-step process, and a bit more involved than adding them to an aquarium. First, float the sealed bag for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the temperatures to come up and match in both the bag and the pond. Next, open the bag and add some pond water to the bag and reseal. Re-float the bag for another 2-3 hours or overnight. Finally, after checking the overall health of the fish, you can release it into the pond.
* Based on what fish you chose, be sure to introduce some aquatic plants to your pond to help them feel more at home. An added benefit is the plants will also help to balance out your pond ecosystem. Again, don’t crowd the pond out with plants but make sure that you have enough to help reduce algae and provide a habitat for the fish. You may also find that over time Mother Nature may also add some of her own plants to the environment!
* Finally, with your new pond up and running and stocked, be sure to monitor how your fish are reacting. Some will take to their new home with ease, while others will require a longer getting acquainted period. The simple truth is some fish just don’t do well outdoors, and you may find that you have to change your plans as you learn what species work well outside and what don’t.
Friday, 10 August 2007
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Aquarium Plants: More than Just Decoration
Have you ever seen a pond or lake without plants in it? Probably not. That’s why most aquarium setups have some types of aquatic plants in them. They not only add to the visual pleasantness of the aquarium, they also provide a valuable service in keeping algae down and your water aerated – not to mention providing a place for the fish to “hide” and escape too.
* All aquatic plants need a good base to grow from – just the same way your tomato plants in your garden need good soil to grow. Most people make the mistake of thinking just any type of gravel will suffice only to find their plants dieing out in a few short months. A good base for your plants should include about one-quarter to a half inch of low-calcium gravel that should be available at your local pet shop. This helps the plants to take root and anchors them to the bottom of your tank
.
* You may also want to add a bit of iron to your gravel mixture as well. You should be able to pick up some pellet-formed iron clays at your pet supply center and mix it in with the regular gravel. The good news is not only does it help the plants but also controls algae breakouts!
* All plants need nutrients to survive, even under water. The good news is that most of the nutrients your plants need will come from the water itself. Most aquariums have nitrates in the water from waste and other breakdown of plant and animal matter. Plants just love this stuff – yet another benefit of adding some aquatic plants to your tank!
* Remember in science class you studied how if a plant is deprived of light it will die? Well, the same is true in your aquarium. Now don’t go placing your tank in direct sunlight where it will boil the water, but do consider adding some extra bulbs to your aquarium lighting if you have a lot of aquatic plants. The second part of the light equation is Carbon Dioxide, but the good news is fish give this off the same as humans do. Unless you have a heavily planted tank the Carbon Dioxide from your fish will be more than enough to help your plants do their best.
* When purchasing plants for your tank it is important to read about what type of environment they need in terms of pH and temperature. You want to match up your plants to the environment that your tropical fish thrive in. There are a number of handbooks that guide you through the different requirements of plants, as well as tell you what plants are more suitable for specific species of tropical fish.
You will find that aquatic plants will make your aquarium look better and also provide a better habitat for your fish to live in. They not only provide decoration but also provide several necessary functions to help keep your tank ecosystem performing well.
* All aquatic plants need a good base to grow from – just the same way your tomato plants in your garden need good soil to grow. Most people make the mistake of thinking just any type of gravel will suffice only to find their plants dieing out in a few short months. A good base for your plants should include about one-quarter to a half inch of low-calcium gravel that should be available at your local pet shop. This helps the plants to take root and anchors them to the bottom of your tank
.
* You may also want to add a bit of iron to your gravel mixture as well. You should be able to pick up some pellet-formed iron clays at your pet supply center and mix it in with the regular gravel. The good news is not only does it help the plants but also controls algae breakouts!
* All plants need nutrients to survive, even under water. The good news is that most of the nutrients your plants need will come from the water itself. Most aquariums have nitrates in the water from waste and other breakdown of plant and animal matter. Plants just love this stuff – yet another benefit of adding some aquatic plants to your tank!
* Remember in science class you studied how if a plant is deprived of light it will die? Well, the same is true in your aquarium. Now don’t go placing your tank in direct sunlight where it will boil the water, but do consider adding some extra bulbs to your aquarium lighting if you have a lot of aquatic plants. The second part of the light equation is Carbon Dioxide, but the good news is fish give this off the same as humans do. Unless you have a heavily planted tank the Carbon Dioxide from your fish will be more than enough to help your plants do their best.
* When purchasing plants for your tank it is important to read about what type of environment they need in terms of pH and temperature. You want to match up your plants to the environment that your tropical fish thrive in. There are a number of handbooks that guide you through the different requirements of plants, as well as tell you what plants are more suitable for specific species of tropical fish.
You will find that aquatic plants will make your aquarium look better and also provide a better habitat for your fish to live in. They not only provide decoration but also provide several necessary functions to help keep your tank ecosystem performing well.
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