Hi guys! I've had some funds open up to build an indoor pond. I am REALLY excited about finally getting to do this.
I'm going to house a large male Midas in this pond, with some dithers (maybe giant danios or cons) and as for pond size, I'm going to choose either the 150g or 180g pond with fiberglass viewing window from this site: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/945/Fiberglass-Tanks-With-Window
I live very close to this supplier so I can pick up the tank in person and avoid shipping costs. I know a lot of people would ask why I'm going with a pond rather than a glass tank. I have a couple of reasons. I anticipate moving at least 3 times in the next 5 years, and a sturdy pond will be easier to chuck around than a huge glass tank. Also, I really want to give my fish a lot of room. Usually a 48x18" footprint is recommended for a single Midas, but I want to provide much more room. The two ponds I linked to have 48x30 and 60x30 footprints. A glass tank that size would be too heavy for moving around, and would also be more fragile and expensive.
So here's some thoughts I have for the setup. Please chime in on any ideas or recommendations you might have.....
I plan to paint the outside of the pond with either black or dark brown latex paint to make it more discreet. I might leave the interior blue, not sure yet. I've also considered getting a 3D background for the back and side walls of the tank. I'll use sand for substrate, and decor will probably just be driftwood and a few rocks.
I'd like to elevate the pond off the floor about 12-16", so that I can see the viewing window better, and so that I can safely use an FX5 canister for filtration. (The product manual says you need the lid of the canister to be at least 8" lower than the water level). I assume the easiest DIY stand would be cinder blocks, painted black. But wouldn't that add a lot of weight? I have no carpentry skills or supplies, so I'd have to get help to build a wood stand. Something very basic would be enough for me.
I'll also order or cut an acrylic sheet to make a lid for the pond, for use when I'm not around. Another advantage of having a pond vs. tank is that you can get both top and side views. I really like that concept.
Lighting is something else I'm not sure on. What would be a good pendant to use that wouldn't cost much?
So as I said, I'm having fun with planning everything, and it might be about a month or so before I have the tank and filter here. I'd appreciate any input
I'm going to house a large male Midas in this pond, with some dithers (maybe giant danios or cons) and as for pond size, I'm going to choose either the 150g or 180g pond with fiberglass viewing window from this site: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/945/Fiberglass-Tanks-With-Window
I live very close to this supplier so I can pick up the tank in person and avoid shipping costs. I know a lot of people would ask why I'm going with a pond rather than a glass tank. I have a couple of reasons. I anticipate moving at least 3 times in the next 5 years, and a sturdy pond will be easier to chuck around than a huge glass tank. Also, I really want to give my fish a lot of room. Usually a 48x18" footprint is recommended for a single Midas, but I want to provide much more room. The two ponds I linked to have 48x30 and 60x30 footprints. A glass tank that size would be too heavy for moving around, and would also be more fragile and expensive.
So here's some thoughts I have for the setup. Please chime in on any ideas or recommendations you might have.....
I plan to paint the outside of the pond with either black or dark brown latex paint to make it more discreet. I might leave the interior blue, not sure yet. I've also considered getting a 3D background for the back and side walls of the tank. I'll use sand for substrate, and decor will probably just be driftwood and a few rocks.
I'd like to elevate the pond off the floor about 12-16", so that I can see the viewing window better, and so that I can safely use an FX5 canister for filtration. (The product manual says you need the lid of the canister to be at least 8" lower than the water level). I assume the easiest DIY stand would be cinder blocks, painted black. But wouldn't that add a lot of weight? I have no carpentry skills or supplies, so I'd have to get help to build a wood stand. Something very basic would be enough for me.
I'll also order or cut an acrylic sheet to make a lid for the pond, for use when I'm not around. Another advantage of having a pond vs. tank is that you can get both top and side views. I really like that concept.
Lighting is something else I'm not sure on. What would be a good pendant to use that wouldn't cost much?
So as I said, I'm having fun with planning everything, and it might be about a month or so before I have the tank and filter here. I'd appreciate any input
