Fountain ~~> Pond? Advice please!

[Maxxshark08]

I recently purchased a property that came with a fairly large fountain. I love the idea of making this livable for small fish and water plants,

problem is.. I have no idea where to start or if this is even viable. I’d love some advice on filtration/ fish species/ plant species and any thing else I may need to know! Thanks in advance.

 

[JRS]

Welcome to the forum. How deep and wide is the bottom tier? Your climate zone?

Definitely possible, people keep small tub ponds with plants and small fish all the time.

Here is a previous thread with some similar discussion: https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...round-fountain-into-a-pond.27429/#post-436211

 

[Maxxshark08]

I live in cfa? (Florida) sorry new to this terminology. I’m looking to keep the structure of the fountain the same. It is about 1 foot deep 5.5 foot wide

 

[Maxxshark08]

Welcome to the forum. How deep and wide is the bottom tier? Your climate zone?

Definitely possible, people keep small tub ponds with plants and small fish all the time.

Here is a previous thread with some similar discussion: https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...round-fountain-into-a-pond.27429/#post-436211

The thing that stumps me most is where to start… do I think filtration first? If so what’s ideal? Do I start with plants first if so what species. Can I go straight into adding fish? If so which species for this size and climate.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! Beautiful fountain!

 

[JRS]

Some of the issues you may face with that setup are summer heat, unless you have some good shade and predators such as raccoons which love to root around in shallow water, tip plant pots and stir things up.

 

[j.w]

and welcome @Maxxshark08
Any predators will be watching and waiting as it might be an easy smorgasbord.

 

[GBBUDD]

As much as fountains aren't my thing I would probably get the fountain working again.
Throw a few minnows in there and see what happens no filter should be needed the aeration should be fine

 

[gimpy]

I agree with GBBUDD. Don't worry about filtration. Go to an aquarium store (PetSmart, Petco, etc.), buy 3 to 5 (5?) little feeder fish. They are 25 cents each, maybe? And throw them in there. They should not get bigger than 2-3 inches when grown. If there is a hiding spot, them you will probably never see them. Throw in one of those week long feeder tablets from the store.

Then see what happens. May or may not surprise you. It's not ideal. But you are only looking at a couple of bucks for fish, and a feeder tablet. But, no more than 5 or so fish. Don't overstock it. If the fish live, they will do their own stocking.

My thoughts only.

 

[j.w]

The thing that stumps me most is where to start… do I think filtration first? If so what’s ideal? Do I start with plants first if so what species. Can I go straight into adding fish? If so which species for this size and climate.

So you live in sunny, warm Florida? You could add some type of hardy tropical fish to it. Some don't propagate too much. Maybe some type of pretty ones so you can actually see them in the water. You could add a few plants that float around in there for them to hide in. Maybe Anacharis or? Not sure tho if your fountain pump will suck them up tho? How big is the hole that sucks the water up through the top and back down again? Maybe there is a screen?