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Outdoor ponds and tanks are a great ways to have a larger aquarium that may not fit inside. While a 100 gallon fish tank in your living room may not be an option for everyone, being able to set aside 6x4 feet outside may be a nice alternative.
Setting up a pond can seem like a daunting task, but its actually no different then putting together an indoor tank! It can be as simple as getting a tank and a filter, then letting it cycle, or you can put in some extra work and create a beautiful masterpiece in your yard.
Things to consider before setting up a Pond
Things to consider before setting up a Pond
Tank size
When setting up an outdoor tank, size matters! Larger bodies of water are easier to maintain temperatures and water parameters. If your area experiences a few super hot days a year, your tank's temperature won't go up drastically compared to a smaller tank which can shift quicker. Same thing goes for night time, if temperatures drop drastically the tanks temp should stay relatively the same.
Smaller tanks can be fun too! I choose to keep my 50g betta sorority pond outside during the summer, then bring them in during the winter. The size is perfect to be able to move around my house.
Shade vs Sun
Full shade is preferable during the summer. Even partial sun during 90+ degree weather can have your water hitting close to 100 degrees. Ways around this are umbrellas or other make shift shade creators.
Power Source for Filters and Heaters
You'll need to set up an extension cord, power strip, and electric box if your tank isn't close to the house. I use an outdoor extension cord and a 6 outlet surge protector that are housed in a cute outdoor cupboard. I drilled holes in the wood so I could nicely keep everything enclosed and away from any bad weather.
Potential Predators
There are horror stories out there of a stray raccoon or other critters getting into ponds and decimating the stock. If you aren't sure of what's in your area or how safe your fish will be, you may want to consider getting pond netting.
Yearly Weather Conditions
Be sure to check in on your local fish and pond groups to see what other people experience. Living in Texas presents a lot of trouble with the heat, where someone living in Minnesota might have to make some changes to their pond for the cold.
Pests
Since the ponds are open for anything to come visit, pests are inevitable. Being aware of the potential pests in your area is helpful for being able to identify, prevent, and know when to remove them.
What fish to add
Different fish have different needs and outside ponds can do a lot to meet those needs!
Setting up an Outdoor Tank
Setting up an Outdoor Tank
What you need to get started
What you need to get started
A Tank
If it's sturdy and holds water then you can make it into a tank! My favorite places to shop are Tractor Supply, Lowes, and Local Pond Stores. You can also search for used items on Marketplace and Craigslist, but extra work might be needed to ensure it has no leaks. With used Galvanized stock tanks you'll need to check for and signs of erosion and rust that could potentially leak zinc into your pond.
Galvanized Stock Tank - I find these to be aesthetically pleasing and eye catching in a yard. They are a bit more expensive compared to other options and also have a chance to rust if damaged
Rubbermaid Stock Tank - A safer option compared to the GSTs. Their shape is a little awkward to work with but they are great!
Heavy Duty Container - Cheap but effective! Great for growout tanks. You may need a center brace for thinner containers to prevent them from bowing out.
Standard Rim Fish Tank - Regular fish tanks also do great outside as long as the weather allows.
A Filter
Just like indoor tanks, outside ponds use filters to keep the water clear, cycled, and add oxygen into the water. I am only including the two filters I have experience with in my ponds, but there are lots of other options if these don't work for you!
Sponge Filter - By far the most cost effective of the filter options, all you need is an air pump to get started. Added benefits include lowering tank temps with air bubbles, creating slight water movement, and easy to increase filtration by splitting the airline and attaching another filter.
Inpond 5 in 1 - I have two of these in my Goldfish pond and really like them! They include everything you need to get started, just plug them in! It also has a light that turns on automatically and a small fountain.
Optional Accessories
My favorite part of setting up a pond is decorating it! It's the same as decorating an inside tank, but the view is from above rather then directly on. Here are some tips.
Substrate - Any type of substrate works, but I recommend getting Black Diamond Blasting Sand for the bottom of the tank if you don't want to go bare bottom. At about $10 for 50 lbs, its cheaper then aquarium store bought substrates. (it creates a lot of debris for the first few days but settles down) I've also gone bare bottom and kept plants potted. This works well too if you plan to move your tank in the future.
Plants - Choosing larger plants can help take up space and make your tank look more filled. Going to pond stores are usually a better option compared to LFS. (There is a list of my favorite plants below)
Bricks and Large Rocks - I like adding bricks to my tanks to add layers. I've used them to build holding walls and make shelfs for potted plants. More decorative rocks can add nice visual pieces to your tank.
Driftwood - When adding driftwood to your pond, it's best to choose pieces specifically geared towards aquariums. Wood found in the wild has the chance to come with unwanted bugs, or may decompose at a faster rate. Always remember to boil your wood ahead of time to get it to sink and release its tannins.
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