My (Taking My Own Sweet Time) outdoor 4x2x1.5 pond

**boliaoguy** · 9th Oct 2014, 11:56

Hi everyone,

I have been doing some aquascaping and fish keeping for a few years, but this is my first sharing in this forum. My wife loves the Merlion a lot and is never tired of visiting the Merlion at the Singapore River every now and then. Hence I came out with an idea to custom make a small little pond with a Merlion water feature on my roof terrace for her to see the Merlion everyday. This is what I have planned for a start:

Outdoor mini pond specifications:
Dimensions: 4ft x 2ft x 1ft (1.2m x 0.6m x 0.3m)
Water feature: Merlion
Filters: Eheim Universal 1200 with probably some simple external pre-filter canister
Substrates: natural river gravels only (no plans for soil as I'm afraid it will introduce unknown insects/water worms/pesticide into the environment)
Lighting: The SUN
Fauna & Flora: Still deciding (pending sunlight and water temperature monitoring)

Here are the pictures of my custom made mini pond:

I am taking my own sweet time for this project as I am only free during the weekend. Nevertheless, I would appreciate any comments from anyone here as I always believe there are always new things to learn from everyone! Do forgive me if I am late in replying.

**Urban Aquaria** · 10th Oct 2014, 14:18

Very nice... i miss my small water garden container pond, if only i got more space.

Regardless of flora or fauna, by default just put lots of small floating plants (ie. frogbits, dwarf water lettuce, salvinia natans etc), they will help solve most algae issues by utilizing 100% of the sun power and rapidly soaking up all the nutrients without requiring much care, nothing left for the algae.

If you are keeping fishes, best to have no gravel substrate, the waste and food tend to get stuck inside so you'll have to constantly clean between the gravel, very hassle... barebottom is much easier to maintain, can just use a large net during regular maintenance to sweep along the base and net out all the waste and dirt, much simpler.

**boliaoguy** · 10th Oct 2014, 14:50

Finally got my thread published from moderation thanks to vinz. I realised i have listed the wrong measurements of the pond, the dimensions should be 4ft x 2ft x 1.5ft. Nonetheless, a quick update on some stuffs i bought for the pond:

There is something i discovered that will hinder my installation of the filter. It seems that Eheim distributor in Singapore is bringing in the European Type E/F plug standards pump instead of our usual UK Type G plug. This results in some safety concerns for me since my pump socket is exposed rain and sun daily, and I do not feel safe/comfortable without the Earthing correctly connected to the socket grounding. The most straight forward method is by changing the plug. However, I am worried this will immediately void the 2(3) years warranty. Looks like I will need to work a bit to alter the plug.

**boliaoguy** · 10th Oct 2014, 14:54

Hi Urban Aquaria, thanks for the reply. And yes... I have seen your outdoor pond before (I'm actually a stalker of your blog, haha!) and noted that you have actually decommissioned it and sold your fibre glass tank away. I am definitely using your pond's experience as a reference!

**boliaoguy** · 13th Oct 2014, 11:25

Bought some plants, driftwood and accessories over the weekend. Did some brainstorming looking for potentially self sustainable plants for my pond bearing in mind on the maintenance issues. Also, i have to take note that this somewhat aquascaping requires a nice view from the TOP and not from the side! Hence, these are the plants i have decided to plant:

Hydrocotyle Vulgaris
Microsorium pteropus var. 'Narrow' (Narrow Leaf Java Ferns)
Anubias Petite
Ludwiga Sedioides (Mosiac Floating Plants) - not sure if i am right
Ranunuculus Inundatus or Hydrocotyle Triparita- still deciding...

I noted that Hydrocotyle Vulgaris suited very well in pond scaping due to their capability of growing underwater and extending their leaves above water surface. I have decided to avoid small floating plants such as water moss/lettuce, duckweeds, frogbits due to their amazing potential of reproduction (which may result in crazy maintenance). Hence, i decided to go big with the Mosiac Floating Plants (not sure if i am right with the description, will post pictures tomorrow). I find Mosiac floating plants attractive due to their red/green combination.

Encountered some issues, one of them being tubing of the mini Merlion feature is only 5mm diameter. 5mm diameter is quite rare, and it is very difficult to find a direct 16mm-5mm adapter/reducer. Visited a few LFS, none of them sells a direct 16mm-5mm adapter. Nonetheless, I am lucky to find an amazing universal adapter from Laguna brand that is capable of reducing/expanding input/output of various sizes.

Here is the planning i have for my pond

:

**boliaoguy** · 12th Nov 2014, 16:25

Hi all, just a quick update as below. Bought some plants to start my beginner pond... couldn't find enough Narrow Leaf Java, used some vallisneria spiralis to substitute for now.

Found some nice driftwood, but still not solid enough to sink in the water. Need to use 2 rocks to hold them in the water for now.

Filter is just plug and play for now to colonies bacteria, i have yet to measure the actual length required to tidy the system. A bit lazy...

Planting is somewhat in pots, hopefully they will remain organised. That's all for now, hopefully the plants will do good to further populate the unplanted area.

**jiajuen900** · 12th Nov 2014, 18:08

Looking good! I think you should remove the plants from the pots. It will be better for their growth.

**boliaoguy** · 13th Nov 2014, 09:19

Hi JJ, thanks! i fully agree with you! I hesitated actually, to remove or not to remove. I know if i start removing from the pots, i will definitely need many hours sitting beside the pond.

Then again, i saw Urban Aquaria outdoor tank using pots giving a neat arrangement, I just thought of going ahead to try (but to be honest, the truth is I am lazy). After all, I think Hydrocotyle Vulgaris is not a very demanding plant. I might be wrong though. hehe...

**Urban Aquaria** · 13th Nov 2014, 11:04

Originally Posted by boliaoguy

Hi JJ, thanks! i fully agree with you! I hesitated actually, to remove or not to remove. I know if i start removing from the pots, i will definitely need many hours sitting beside the pond.

Then again, i saw Urban Aquaria outdoor tank using pots giving a neat arrangement, I just thought of going ahead to try (but to be honest, the truth is I am lazy). After all, I think Hydrocotyle Vulgaris is not a very demanding plant. I might be wrong though. hehe...

Actually the plants in my outdoor container water garden are all tied to wood (not kept in pots). As i don't use any substrate in the fiber glass container tank, i've to allow the plant roots freedom to grow and take in nutrients directly from the water column.

I'm not sure how well plants grow when still kept in their original plastic pots and wool wrap from the LFS though, but i guess in your case you can try it out and see if it works.

**AQMS** · 13th Nov 2014, 11:17

Looks good...but where is the merlion?

**boliaoguy** · 13th Nov 2014, 14:09

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Actually the plants in my outdoor container water garden are all tied to wood (not kept in pots). As i don't use any substrate in the fiber glass container tank, i've to allow the plant roots freedom to grow and take in nutrients directly from the water column.

I'm not sure how well plants grow when still kept in their original plastic pots and wool wrap from the LFS though, but i guess in your case you can try it out and see if it works.

Oops... i guess i assumed it too fast as your plants looks really neat! I apologies for the wrong statement. Shall update if the plants can strive well in pots.

**boliaoguy** · 13th Nov 2014, 16:31

Hi zerofighterx101, the merlion is still resting at this moment as i have yet to settle the hosing issues. Also, i need to find a suitable rock/brick for the Merlion to sit. The merlion hose is a mere 5mm size. I have found the right adapter though, will start fixing the issues once i am back from holiday. Nevertheless, for the fun of it, i do have a picture of the merlion sitting by the pond (yet to cut the hose).