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Aquarium Pond?

elliotstephens90elliotstephens90 Posts: 1
in Garden design

Hi, 

I heard some people use fish tanks to build their ponds and was wondering if it's a good idea or is there any problems I could face. 

Also, I don't have a fish tank but an old, unused aquarium which I'm planning to use, something like these- http://www.shirleyaquatics.co.uk/buy/aquarium-and-accessories/100/marine-aquariums/105/

So not sure if this would work of whether or I'm just burying an aquarium in my garden. 

Elliot 

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,204

    I have to say that I have never heard of anyone using an aquarium to form the basis of a garden pond. As they are made of glass I think it is a bad idea. It is far easier to buy proprietary pond liners or preformed fibreglass ponds.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    To be honest I can't think of any good reason to make a pond out of an aquarium. I doubt it would last a week.

    Fish tanks also have no sloping sides, so if the water froze, there's no where for the water to expand so the tank would smash.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Johnny canoeJohnny canoe Posts: 367

    I have two aquariums and I am sure it would end in disaster if you put one into the ground. I have been checking out "tubbing", that's raising some fish in outdoor tubs. They all use big rubber tubs but these could easily be sunk and used as a small fish ponds. If you stock with cold water fish you would just need an air pump, a filter would be a good idea, some pond plants and be prepared to do some cleaning every so often. Fish like gold fish and coy are heavy poopers.

    This lady knows her tubs. You see what she uses to raise her small fish and these tubs could be buried.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv9CUnSF3LA

    Last edited: 24 October 2016 14:44:43

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 8,711

    I'm not clear on the difference between a fish tank and an aquarium, but agree with the previous responses that using either would be a bad idea for all the reasons detailed.

  • Johnny canoeJohnny canoe Posts: 367

    I could be wrong but I don't think there is a difference between them. I've been fish keeping for a couple years and the keepers on the sites I use and am a member of, mostly use the word tank instead of aquarium. I may have just picked up a bad habit of theirs.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    A fish tank is and aquarium and vice versa - they are one and the same - here's mine

    image


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Johnny canoeJohnny canoe Posts: 367

    Pete8,

    I like it! I am trying to get better at aquascaping, so I keep watching those endless you tube clips. This past summer I did enjoy walking the river bank picking up some good looking driftwood and bringing it home for a few hours of boiling.

    That's jungle val in the back of your tank? I can't find that plant in any fish store here in Calgary.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    Thanks Johnny - I've no idea what the plants are tbh.

    I usually buy a bargain lot and see what survives.

    The tank/aquarium :) has been going for 30yrs here now and I've been keeping fish for 52yrs - a frightening thought!


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Johnny canoeJohnny canoe Posts: 367

    I hear you Pete. I took my first selfie a few weeks back and all I could see was the wrinkles and grey whiskers!

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    Whats a selfie? image


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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