Fish Folk Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Two years ago, we had wonderful success with one outdoor mini pond / tub. We started with about 6x mutt guppies, and ended up with 75 glorious specimens. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 Last year we tried to multiply the success. But we bombed. First it was too cold. Then too hot. Many guppies died 😢 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 This spring, Dr. Ted Coletti spoke at our club on the joy of outdoor mini ponds. I took notes, and bought his book. Several basic things really stuck out to me as he talked: (1) “Location, location, location.” Our tubs last year were in full sun. Over heating was inevitable. More shade needed! (2) “Nature rules outside. Nurture is for inside.” You kind of have to let go outside and let nature have her way. Last year we tried heaters… air… sponge filters… we tried to beat the sun. And failed spectacularly. (3) “Set it and forget it.” If set up right, plants will self-regulate. Fish will eat larvae. Fry will hatch naturally. So! Today I’m beginning to reset. First, I marked the sun shadow line… And then moved the tubs into place, mostly behind the shadow line… Removed broken thermometers and airline… So now it’s time to set up plants, and top off ponds! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 On 5/14/2022 at 1:39 PM, Fish Folk said: This spring, Dr. Ted Coletti spoke at our club on the joy of outdoor mini ponds. I took notes, and bought his book. Several basic things really stuck out to me as he talked: (1) “Location, location, location.” Our tubs last year were in full sun. Over heating was inevitable. More shade needed! (2) “Nature rules outside. Nurture is for inside.” You kind of have to let go outside and let nature have her way. Last year we tried heaters… air… sponge filters… we tried to beat the sun. And failed spectacularly. (3) “Set it and forget it.” If set up right, plants will self-regulate. Fish will eat larvae. Fry will hatch naturally. So! Today I’m beginning to reset. First, I marked the sun shadow line… And then moved the tubs into place, mostly behind the shadow line… Removed broken thermometers and airline… So now it’s time to set up plants, and top off ponds! That's a very important part for successful tubbing. So setting up the initial location is the most important thing. Allowing nature to take its course is really hard, especially when Nat Geo specials unintentionally generated emotional responses (musical scores) that encouraged rooting for the underdog, instead of the honest appraisal that *every single creature is an equally important part of the ecosystem* Sick & injured herbivores become food for omnivores and carnivores. Stress either builds better health and resistance to disease, or culls the animals with poor genetics that don't get the chance to reproduce (and therefore pass on the genetics for poor immune systems). Look forward to following this journal! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 And as if on cue, the rain begins… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 We need rain so badly here... May you get all the rain you need, and not get too much rain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Burke Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Yup, location, location, location. my first year I set up under the overhang, nice spot. Mid day sun, shade in the hottest part of the day. And easy to watch from the porch. Also had a nest of mahogany wasps under the asphalt shingles. Two problems there: mahogany wasps are VERY aggressive with a nasty sting, and run off from the roof carried part of the asphalt shingles right into the tub. (Think black tarred sand). Fish did ok, and the sting only hurts for an hour or so. Next year I moved it under an oak tree. Here are some pics from the first year. I upgraded to a 100gal tub mid summer. picture below is from last year. Annual maintenance includes fishing out the leaves and acorns, but way better than getting stung. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 On 5/14/2022 at 4:42 PM, Ken Burke said: Yup, location, location, location. my first year I set up under the overhang, nice spot. Mid day sun, shade in the hottest part of the day. And easy to watch from the porch. Also had a nest of mahogany wasps under the asphalt shingles. Two problems there: mahogany wasps are VERY aggressive with a nasty sting, and run off from the roof carried part of the asphalt shingles right into the tub. (Think black tarred sand). Fish did ok, and the sting only hurts for an hour or so. Next year I moved it under an oak tree. Here are some pics from the first year. I upgraded to a 100gal tub mid summer. picture below is from last year. Annual maintenance includes fishing out the leaves and acorns, but way better than getting stung. Excellent life lessons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineSong Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 I'm looking forward to watching your tubs. With limited choices, I had to go with AM shade and afternoon sun--the opposite of what I would wish for. I'm going to add a patio umbrella for shade before we get to full summer sun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tihshho Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Did that thermometer glas warp?! It looks like it was exposed to open flame! Are you running air to your tubs this round? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 On 5/16/2022 at 9:36 AM, Tihshho said: Did that thermometer glas warp?! It looks like it was exposed to open flame! Are you running air to your tubs this round? Thermometer cracked because the tubs froze over winter, and I forgot I have the thermometers in there. 🤪 No, I am not planning on running air this go-round. I do not think that helped. Getting the tubs out of direct sun should help. As long as the surface is broader than deep, the oxygen exchange should work fine without air. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tihshho Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 I'm actually trying to figure out air currently. I have a spare pump that could handle a few tubs, but trying to house the pump near power and out of the elements is the challenge. Then you brought up another great point being shade... That threw off my current plans haha. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 On 5/16/2022 at 12:32 PM, Tihshho said: I'm actually trying to figure out air currently. I have a spare pump that could handle a few tubs, but trying to house the pump near power and out of the elements is the challenge. Then you brought up another great point being shade... That threw off my current plans haha. I quizzed Dr. Ted Coletti about air pump usage, and he persuaded me that the keys were (1) shape of pond to allow for proper air exchange (2) removal of surface scum / algae that might inhibit air exchange (3) enough shade Last year . . . I was going into heaters for when water was too cold . . . fans for the water was too hot . . . it just all crashed. It's key to understand your particular gardening region. Here's the U.S. Map. We're right on the edge between 6a / 6b ... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 @Ken Burke am I the only one that scrolled to your picture and immediately excitedly began looking to see if there were fish in the pool and almost missed the actual tub?🤣 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Burke Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 @Guppysnailonly one I know of. It’s really a peaceful look, and I’m happy with the results. Wish you had one as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 On 5/16/2022 at 3:00 PM, Ken Burke said: @Guppysnailonly one I know of. It’s really a peaceful look, and I’m happy with the results. Wish you had one as well. My crazy boys would have dumped every living thing into the pool from that tub within minutes. Guaranteed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Burke Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 On 5/16/2022 at 11:32 AM, Tihshho said: I'm actually trying to figure out air currently. I have a spare pump that could handle a few tubs, but trying to house the pump near power and out of the elements is the challenge. Then you brought up another great point being shade... That threw off my current plans haha. I put the air pump into a small plastic tote, covered, set the tub on a brick, then put a second tote covering the first ( second tote upside down) unless water rises higher than the brick, it stays dry. On 5/16/2022 at 12:10 PM, Fish Folk said: I quizzed Dr. Ted Coletti about air pump usage, and he persuaded me that the keys were (1) shape of pond to allow for proper air exchange (2) removal of surface scum / algae that might inhibit air exchange (3) enough shade Last year . . . I was going into heaters for when water was too cold . . . fans for the water was too hot . . . it just all crashed. It's key to understand your particular gardening region. Here's the U.S. Map. We're right on the edge between 6a / 6b ... I won’t argue with the guy who literally wrote the book on tubbing, but Shreveport is hot. Not your average hot, or even your Arizona blast furnace hot. But vegitable steamer in a blast furnace hot. So I put an air stone in, just to make sure. On 5/16/2022 at 2:22 PM, Fish Folk said: My crazy boys would have dumped every living thing into the pool from that tub within minutes. Guaranteed. Lie this? Sophee decided she needed to swim….. @Guppysnail, see my turtles 🐢? Sophee later 1 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 17, 2022 Author Share Posted May 17, 2022 I am very excited to have learned today about a landscaping company locally that sells aquatic garden plants! One tip that Ted Coletti recommends is to buy local. People selling garden plants in your zone KNOW YOUR ZONE! It was great. I called today, and must have sounded like the giddiest customer on the phone. I'm going to go with the gravel basket method, stacked like this... I hope to try some Iris, Cattail, Water Hyacinth, and a Water Lily. All plants will be selected for their hardiness given our zone (6a / 6b). Maybe I can get some Star Grass or Aquatic Mint . . . I like the way Dr. Coletti categorizes selections: "THRILLERS, SPILLERS, & FILLERS." I take up pencil and paper here to try to imagine design . . . Much more impressive in my head than on paper 👨🎨 But it will be fun no matter what! I hope to definitely try out these Guppies in the pond... 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 18, 2022 Author Share Posted May 18, 2022 Just checked out tub placement in late afternoon sun… I’m pleased that the water still felt reasonably cool to the touch. Hoping this balance with light will work. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share Posted May 19, 2022 So simple, but another way to categorize water garden plants: (1) Floating plants — Lilies, Water lettuce (2) Marginal plants — Cattail, Iris, etc. (3) Bog plants — Grasses Learned some good tips here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tihshho Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Are you planning on drilling overflow drains to keep up with rain not overflowing the tubs? I never have historically, but it hit me not too long ago about how much fry I may have lost over the years due to this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share Posted May 19, 2022 On 5/19/2022 at 10:25 AM, Tihshho said: Are you planning on drilling overflow drains to keep up with rain not overflowing the tubs? I never have historically, but it hit me not too long ago about how much fry I may have lost over the years due to this. Yes, I’ve already drilled two small overflow holes in each tub. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share Posted May 19, 2022 Visited local garden center, and got some hardy plants for mini pond / tub… Water Hyacinth (floater / filler) Water Lily (centerpiece, thrill) Assortment (edge, spill) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 First off, the advantages of buying local cannot be exaggerated. Here’s several shots of mini ponds at our local greenhouse… With the help of a nice staff member, I made my selections for our zone (6), avoiding tropical plants that won’t survive year-to-year. I cut a few “cave openings” for the inverted risers… These go under water… I cut a few root holes in bottom of this planter… I brought up about 8-gallons of high nitrate tank water from my Acara grow-out tank downstairs… Floated hyacinth, set lily on a riser, set assorted plant on riser, DONE! I’d like to pretend that I’ll wait to put guppies in… 😜 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 Could. Not. Bear. The. Wait. Guppies added! Here’s the plot line… I selected 19x guppies from my “Snakeskin” breeding project begun last fall. Here is a video where I explain a bit about them, and my brief acclimation procedure… Now, the temperature in the tub is cool: 64°-F. That’s a “survive-but-not-trive” temperature for Guppies. But the weather forecast over the next three days in our area targets temperatures up to 90°-F. So I’m going to go for it. Here’s a first-look video at Guppies in the tub… Now here’s a question for anyone to weigh in on: I’m interested in a nickname / hobby-name for this color line… any thoughts? Snakeskin? Autumn Blaze? Heavy Metal? Precious Metals? (Any thoughts?) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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