varachhia001
26-07-2011, 12:20
My pond diary
9435
September 2010
I had a pond lying around and collecting dust. Cleaned and set it up only to realise it had a leak. I patched up the cracks with cement and painted it with water block. 4 coats later it was ready to be tested. I let it dry inside for about a month. The pond holds approximately 100 litres.
October 2010
I set up the pond outside in October 2010. I had a 50litre/hour pump which I connected to a three step waterfall. Within 3 weeks the pond was pea green. I emptied,cleaned and refilled but again within 4 weeks granny smith apple green.
November 2010
I now realised I needed to get some sort of a filteration system. I studied the filteration thread by the Proff on TASA and done more research. (at this stage I had no knowledge of fishkeeping, thanks to the thread it took me out of ignorance. I learn everyday). I concluded that I needed a filterand a UV light. Problem was, most pond filters were to big and too expensive (I was currently saving for my current tank). So I decided to do a DIY contraption. I gave my fish away and the pond layed green. I decided to tackle the situation in the new year.
January 2011
1) I purchased a second hand 15 watt UV Filter from the classifieds.
9440
9442
2) I went to craze store, bought a container 30cm high with a lid.
3) Made holes at the bottom of the container with the help of a lighter. The holes were about the sixe of a 1 rand coin.
4) I filled the container with stones at the bottom. Than cermic noodles and bio balls. Than activated carbon in an old stocking. On top I added filter sopnges.
9439
9438
5) I connected my 50litre/hour pump pushing the water through the UV light first and than through the bucket filter
9441
After using the DIY FILTER MY POND REMAINS CRYSTAL CLEAR...AMAZING...I do water changes evry 2nd week.
February 2011
In february I set up the pond again. I introduced
1 x fantail
1 x shubankin
1 x sarasa commet
1 x commet
1 x male guppy
2 x female guppy
The guppies started giving birth. I use to transfer the guppy fry to a 50 litre grow out tank. Once big enough I brought them back to the pond. The reason I done this was because I feared the goldfish would eat them.
May 2011
After one cold Highveld night I awoke to dead guppies. I had seven guppies and all were dead after the first major cold spell. All I had left were the 9 guppy fry in my grow out tank. I KICKED MY SELF FOR NOT BRINGING THEM INSIDE FOR THE WINTER. Well this answers the question? Guppies dont survive the highvel winter in outside ponds, However they thrive in summer.
June 2011, July2011
The gold fish are all alive. In winter I have been feeding them 1 to 2 times a week. The pond remains crystall clear. The filter runs for about 4 hours a day. I maintained good clearity from the introduction of the filter to date.
Thanks fo reading. You can check my album for more pics. I hope this was benficial.
9435
September 2010
I had a pond lying around and collecting dust. Cleaned and set it up only to realise it had a leak. I patched up the cracks with cement and painted it with water block. 4 coats later it was ready to be tested. I let it dry inside for about a month. The pond holds approximately 100 litres.
October 2010
I set up the pond outside in October 2010. I had a 50litre/hour pump which I connected to a three step waterfall. Within 3 weeks the pond was pea green. I emptied,cleaned and refilled but again within 4 weeks granny smith apple green.
November 2010
I now realised I needed to get some sort of a filteration system. I studied the filteration thread by the Proff on TASA and done more research. (at this stage I had no knowledge of fishkeeping, thanks to the thread it took me out of ignorance. I learn everyday). I concluded that I needed a filterand a UV light. Problem was, most pond filters were to big and too expensive (I was currently saving for my current tank). So I decided to do a DIY contraption. I gave my fish away and the pond layed green. I decided to tackle the situation in the new year.
January 2011
1) I purchased a second hand 15 watt UV Filter from the classifieds.
9440
9442
2) I went to craze store, bought a container 30cm high with a lid.
3) Made holes at the bottom of the container with the help of a lighter. The holes were about the sixe of a 1 rand coin.
4) I filled the container with stones at the bottom. Than cermic noodles and bio balls. Than activated carbon in an old stocking. On top I added filter sopnges.
9439
9438
5) I connected my 50litre/hour pump pushing the water through the UV light first and than through the bucket filter
9441
After using the DIY FILTER MY POND REMAINS CRYSTAL CLEAR...AMAZING...I do water changes evry 2nd week.
February 2011
In february I set up the pond again. I introduced
1 x fantail
1 x shubankin
1 x sarasa commet
1 x commet
1 x male guppy
2 x female guppy
The guppies started giving birth. I use to transfer the guppy fry to a 50 litre grow out tank. Once big enough I brought them back to the pond. The reason I done this was because I feared the goldfish would eat them.
May 2011
After one cold Highveld night I awoke to dead guppies. I had seven guppies and all were dead after the first major cold spell. All I had left were the 9 guppy fry in my grow out tank. I KICKED MY SELF FOR NOT BRINGING THEM INSIDE FOR THE WINTER. Well this answers the question? Guppies dont survive the highvel winter in outside ponds, However they thrive in summer.
June 2011, July2011
The gold fish are all alive. In winter I have been feeding them 1 to 2 times a week. The pond remains crystall clear. The filter runs for about 4 hours a day. I maintained good clearity from the introduction of the filter to date.
Thanks fo reading. You can check my album for more pics. I hope this was benficial.