Water Gardening Ideas for Garden Fish Ponds
Ponds aren't just for frogs anymore, as many people expand their outdoor living space with water gardens and decorative fish ponds. With a large variety of pond sizes and types available, in addition to choices for fish and plants, it's no wonder this is a popular garden addition. Creating the perfect water garden to suit your tastes is easy with the many options available. Does this Spark an idea?
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Visual Plants
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The definition of water garden means growing plants. There are several types of water plants that are easily grown, recognizable water lillies for one. There are varieties of iris that enjoy the water, and mini cattails or lotus are good choices for potted plants. Keep them in pots for easier cleaning and removal in colder seasons. Free-floating plants such as water hyacinth and water lettuce are attractive and useful. They provide nice shade for fish and make an ever-changing pond appearance as they move about.
Submerged Plants
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Submerged plants are less well known but necessary for your water garden; these can include cabomba, elodea and coonwort. Some of these are free floating, and your climate will help determine which is best, but some type of submerged plant is essential to help curb algae and oxygenate the water in a healthy water garden. Some of these have parts of the plant that reach the surface and flower but the bulk of the plant remains beneath the water. These help provide places for fish to hide as well.
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Fish
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Select fish that will both provide a visual element and care for the pond. Koi and goldfish are highly recognized pond fish and rightly so---they survive well in this environment. Goldfish are more compatible with a variety of water plants; koi may eat the plants. Plecostomus is a good pond choice; this type of fish eats the algae that grows on the pond walls. However, it can grow very large and if you keep it in an aquarium in winter this should be planned for.
Other Elements
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Small waterfalls, a fountain or lights are good additions to your fish water garden. A fountain should be self-contained and the filter and intake enclosed as well as designed for a pond with fish so as not to harm them. Waterfalls are a good feature to keep the water moving, again be sure the intake is designed to protect the fish. Submerged lights add evening viewing and another visual element to your pond. They are available in a variety of colors and styles. A pond mister is a fun addition to a pond, creating a light fog from the surface of the pond. As these are sonic in nature, be sure you have one that is isolated from the fish and that is recommended for use in a fish pond.
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References
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