Choose my stock for my 45 gallon patio pond

[The Masked Shadow]

I've got anacharis covered. I will arrange a sand bottom. Would pool sand be fine? I enjoy that kind of sand. I'm not expecting to raise a ton of fry. Would it be ok if I added Platys in there to keep the fry population down?

 

[C. Breeze]

All of the above are fine. Rinse that pool filter sand. Mine start moving around a good bit once the water hits 60 and then it’s pretty much non stop action- though you have to sort of pay attention and get some polarized glasses since they aren’t 13” long and orange and white. But they’re cool little cichlids that stay busy and look really cool. The handful of fry that you bring in to see in the fall will really bring a smile.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

What is the Polarized Glass for? I thought they were relatively colorful?

 

[Chicxulub]

What is the Polarized Glass for? I thought they were relatively colorful?

Polarized lenses, when aligned with angle of incidence of light rays, can be used to selectively block reflections which will remove glare from the surface of the water allowing to see through the water nice and clearly without having the glare block the view

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Ohhh. I think that will be an investment later on lol.

 

[C. Breeze]

Very colorful- but the view from the top isn’t the same as the view from the side. They’ve “been bred” to be invisible from above more or less. Ornamental pond fish have been bred for top viewing. I think this has been covered though.