I have 2 sponge filters powered by powerheads. One powerhead sends the water to the barrel, the other just provides circulation in the pond. I would say my set up is part vegatative filtration and the sponges do the rest.
Daily Log of Constructing a Tropical Fish Pond
- Thread starter lousybreed
- Start date
I have 2 sponge filters powered by powerheads. One powerhead sends the water to the barrel, the other just provides circulation in the pond. I would say my set up is part vegatative filtration and the sponges do the rest.
Here are some pics to see how the pond is progressing. The "lily" plant is growing slower than expected. I jammed some fert sticks in the soil of all the potted plants last wednesday to see if that would speed up the growth. I have also been throwing in some ferts and trace elements to see if that would help also. The reeds are about to poke thru the water, they seem like they are going to make it.... The java moss is growing like crazy but the java ferns haven't shown much progress.
I am off to home depot to construct a transparent cover for the pond. The temp in the pond hangs around 68 at night and gets up to 74 in the day. With the cover I would be able to bring up the temps a bit. If I can keep it over 70 I think that will kick the fish into spawing. I will have to lift the cover off every morning and put it back on at night. Might be a pain but it should really boost the temps. I am also going to put the waterfall powerhead on a timer so it only runs during the day for about 4-5 hrs a day...
I am off to home depot to construct a transparent cover for the pond. The temp in the pond hangs around 68 at night and gets up to 74 in the day. With the cover I would be able to bring up the temps a bit. If I can keep it over 70 I think that will kick the fish into spawing. I will have to lift the cover off every morning and put it back on at night. Might be a pain but it should really boost the temps. I am also going to put the waterfall powerhead on a timer so it only runs during the day for about 4-5 hrs a day...
Well I got motivated and banged out the pond lid. I used 1x2 pine boards, 7@$0.97 and clear 4mil plastic ($13 for 10'x25'). The rest of the stuff I already had. I really love that staple gun I got, it made this job easy. All in all, it took 2 hrs to make. It's decieving because when you look at the thing it looks like it should take 20 minutes to do. I used some duct tape to re-enforce the edges. Taking this thing off and putting it back on everyday will wear the edges....
I am going to leave it on tomorrow to see how much it raises the water temp....I bet it hits 76F and tomorrow its not supposed to get over 70 so we shall see.
I am going to leave it on tomorrow to see how much it raises the water temp....I bet it hits 76F and tomorrow its not supposed to get over 70 so we shall see.
The cover held the pond temps around 70 even though it was really cold today. The hi was 65 and no sun. It seems to work ok, its a pain to store though.
Very nice!
If I may? The center rib of your lid could be doubled up and a piano-honge could be inserted between them to allow you to fold the lid in half; add a small carrying handle to each edge to help carry and keep the 2 halfs together while moving and wholla! It would at least reduce the space needed by 1/2!
Have you looked into solar blankets? ie. the Pool variety? I say this only b/c my father had to recently replace his cover (aside from the $900 it cost him) he just tossed the blanket and the vast majority of it was perfectly fine! Anyways, he can use this to regulate his pool - One side cools the other heats... Maybe ask in Craigslist for anyone replecing a used pool blanket?
If I may? The center rib of your lid could be doubled up and a piano-honge could be inserted between them to allow you to fold the lid in half; add a small carrying handle to each edge to help carry and keep the 2 halfs together while moving and wholla! It would at least reduce the space needed by 1/2!
Have you looked into solar blankets? ie. the Pool variety? I say this only b/c my father had to recently replace his cover (aside from the $900 it cost him) he just tossed the blanket and the vast majority of it was perfectly fine! Anyways, he can use this to regulate his pool - One side cools the other heats... Maybe ask in Craigslist for anyone replecing a used pool blanket?
