Rubbermaid pond

[Aussie_hippie_2]

So I'm thinking that since I don't have room for a pond (at least it doesen't seem so momentarily) I'll try a rubbermaid container filled with aquatic plants. But, I imagine the temperature would fluctuate, so I'm kinda wary of what kind of fish to put in there. I'd really like to do Endlers Liverbearers since I imagine I'll have a big crowd of them by summer, but second to that, I'm also thinking about putting my female bettas in there (fairly close to their natural habitat). The plants would be the filter, and other then that, prolly just a bubbler. So what do you reckon, sound like it'll work?

[TwoTankAmin]

is this going to be indoors or outdoors?

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Outdoors mainly. I'll prolly put it up late May and take it all down once it gets to early September.

Well, if it's outside and the temps are fairly constant, it shouldn't be too much of a worry. However if it were inside you wouldn't need to tear things down in winter.
How much of a crowd of these small fish are you thinking?

Also, with a bubbler and plants alone it'll be okay as long as you do siphoning with waterchanges. Especially with small fish, they don't typically create large bioloads. Water motion would be a good idea too, considering mosquitos love stagnant water for their lavae. Don't know how much of those bugs frequent your area, but they are a pain here in florida during summer.

[flyfly]

the size of the container can also be an issue in regards to temperature. Deeper is always better. I would also recommend at least bi-weekly water changes. Last summer I ended up with a big problem in my 70g container when I tried not changing the water for a while. Ultimately, It killed my pair of gold rams that had started breeding in there. My "pond" was heavily planted with a homemade filter.


Im cleaning it out now, I cant wait to get it back up.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Flyfly, yours is my inspiration actually. It's amazing. I'm definatly gonna try to find a bubbler or fountain to use. Do you think Endlers would eat mosquito fry? (casue they're everywhere around here)

I was thinking of just putting a few pairs in there, and hopefully having a nice surprise (babies) when I tear the thing down at the end of summer. I may even try to figure out a way to keep it going through winter in my room.

[Dirk]

My Endlers love bloodworms above all other foods. They'd go crazy over live mosquito larvae. You won't want to use a fountain because mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant waters.

I ran a 40G tub last summer, and will do it again this summer. I used water sprite and java moss for cover, both of which I had to harvest regularly. A small homemade filter kept the water circulating at the bottom of the tub. I used a 300W heater which only ran during cool nights in the spring and fall.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I'm very curious about the homemade filter. Could you perhaps elaborate? Sounds like a good idea.
But do you think the little things (Endlers) could keep up with demand (mosquito wise) without the fountain?

[Dirk]

Even if you just have a trio, I doubt a single mosquito will make it to maturity.

The filter is pretty simple. Started with a Tupperware container about 3"x4"x6". Cut out a 1"x2" hole at the bottom and covered it with the plastic grid used for cross-stiching. Used a 150GPH powerhead inside, cutting a hole at the opposite end just big enough for the cord to stick through and the top of the power head to stick out. I used silicon to seal it up. Filter media are polyfill and ceramic disks. Since the main reason for the tub was to raise fry, I wrapped the entire filter with a pantyhose toe and tied it off with a nylon tie. It's ugly, but it works great.

I've since made a second version that looks better and is more effective, but is over-engineered. I may do a third version this summer and document it.

[Topaz]

I've seen plenty of sites online that discuss these rubbermaid ponds without any filtration other than plants. I want to do at least 2 tubs this year. One about 20g on my front porch and another larger one on my patio. I could run electric to both of them but it would be a pain.
My patio has great light for plants. Morning sun and afternoon shade almost anything I plant there thrives. Unfortunately I have a problem with leaves from not just my trees, but the neighbors so I plan on covering the tubs with fine screen when I am not outside enjoying them.
My biggest worry is chlorinated water from the sprinkler getting into the tubs. My kids are constantly having hose fights and power squirt gun fights. We also often have a fine mist sprinkler on over the garden area when we are outside, Just enough to create a very gentle cool breeze and keep the plants moist. No way will I do without that fine mist when it is hot and I am outback playing darts with friends. Do I just add some Prime before I turn the cooling system on?
With frequent water changes will a filter be necessary?
I'd like to get the porch tub running soon indoors and then transfer it to the porch. My outdoor plants overwinter in my unused bathtub in the bathroom with a south facing window. They are all starting to really come to life. Can I jumpstart my tub in my "plant room" and move it outside next month?
I'm really not sure how the porch tub will do. The porch faces north and gets very little sunlight, however, plants I hang by the door do quite well as long as they are lowlight plants.
I'm really concerned about not using filtration other than plants, accidental chlorine getting into the tubs and about cycling in general.

Oh, I plan on putting guppies in the tubs, possibly some mollies on the patio.
I have watersprite, java moss, pennywort and anacharis. I can probably get some other pond plants at a local shop thanks to my husband doing some computer work for them on a Sunday when no one else was open or available.
I'm big city born and raised, I love this small town where people say, "I owe you, let me know when you need something." and they actually mean it.

Any suggestions or advice are greatly appreciated.

[OrionGirl]

Topaz--I doubt any of the chlorine will remain in the water through that much agitation. You could certainly test it out before taking my word for it, and obviously that won't work if you're dealing with chloramines.

[Topaz]

Thanks OG, I am seriously thinking of building a very low platform with wheels on it so I can move it if I need to. Let me rephrase that, I am thinking of making my hubby build it
I am really looking forward to taking this outside. I do have electric access on the patio. I have decided I will run a filter or a powerhead on that one.
I really don't know how a tub will do on my porch, the only way to find out is to try it.
I was at Dollar General and they had some nice good size planters for dirt cheap. I know they get these in every year, I have bought them for plants before and they often are gone by the time planting season rolls around. If anyone wants something more attractive than a rubbermaid tub, you might want to tank a look at Dollar General if you have one near you.

[flyfly]

heh, thanks Aussie_hippie! I had a lot of fun with mine last year and am planning a few new things for this year.

Like Dirk said, mosquitos like stagnant water, but using a pump/fountain/filter is good for circulation. I decided to go for circulation but I set up a large planter by the pond and scooped mosquito larvae out of that. Best of both worlds.

[zazz]

I see that this is an old thread but I am hoping I'll get a response.
I need to move my female beta to a new home because she is being intmidated by the M dwaf gorami.
I was thinking of putting her in a deep container outside on the porch. There is never direct sun there, but the temps get up into the 90s(F).
They generally cool about 20 degrees at night. I can't imagine having more than about a 25 or 30G container.
How do you think the betta would feel about this?
Thanks.
PS I will have a lot of floating anacharis in there.

[OrionGirl]

That's a pretty wide temperature swing--is that for the water, or the air?

[bencozzy]

a betta should be fine with that i cant imagine the water temp swifting more then about 5 degrees over night.

[DirtyDawg10]

I'm no expert on how long it takes for water of a certain volume to cool...but I would guess that an exterior temp change of 20deg on a 25 to 30gal tank would be too much. Not a very large volume of water. Can you install a heater in the pond?

[zazz]

OG that's the air temp.
I can't guess what the water temp swing will be either.
I found a container. ( 2.5 bushels,about 25G Id say)
I guess I'll fill it up and drop a thermometer in there for a couple of days.
I guess I can run a heater to it, now that you mention it. That would let her be there later into the fall as well.
Thanks.
I'll let you know about the temperature drop relative to ambiant, since
Bencozzy and D D have such different imntuitions about it and I really haven't a clue.
Thank you

[Mr Aquarium]

If you look at Menards, you can get a 12x12 foot pond liner for around 60 bucks, or an 8x10 one for 30.00

You could also look to the rubbermaid stock tanks, they would be basicly the same thing as a pre-formed pond tub, just dig a hole for it to set in and you got a pond, can get them in all sorta of sizes and depths, I may even add the 50g one to my pond set up if the weather ever cools enough to start it.