Garden pond problem

DIOBAS ga

garden pond, garden pond problem, garden pond puzzle, garden pond problem, garden pond.

We don't usually get involved with garden ponds, except to give advice, but this plea for help was a little unusual to say the least. A cheap plastic swimming pool, some 15ft diameter, had been used as a temporary home for an unusual selection of fish which, as well as the usual Orfe, Goldfish etc, also held some large Carp, around 25lb+ plus, and, wait for it ....... two 4ft+ Sturgeon !!! The pool took up nearly all of the garden, just 20ft x 50ft, which was at the back of a row of terraced houses with virtually no way in or out.

Problem was that the swimming pool had proved more than temporary, in fact it had been used for 19months, survived the attentions of a cold winter and the fish, and was now beginning to show distinct signs of deterioration as the assorted plant-life was eating its way through the bottom and sides. . A major split was imminent ! No access, nowhere to put the fish and desperately in need of a proper garden pond that had nowhere else to go other than under the existing pool. If that wasn't enough to cope with the garden sloped alarmingly from front to back with a total drop of five feet which somehow had to be levelled without causing a landslide and demolishing the surrounding gardens, all of which had similar drops.

After much head scratching and scribbling we still couldn't find a solution and time was running out. At last a cunning plan was hatched, we all took a deep breath and reached for the heavy artillery, ..... the Chainsaw !

First problem was obviously to move the fish without causing too much stress and there just wasn't anywhere locally, nor could we set up tanks anywhere close especially as the Sturgeon were so big. Somehow they had to be kept in the garden itself but there just wasn't any room. There was however a shed. In the third photo you will see in the background a solid looking, window-less marine ply shed and herein lay the answer. We used a chainsaw to cut it in half ( picture four ), removed the top section and threw in a liner. A few heavy straps around the outside to prevent it bursting open and voila ! A holding tank.

Now the clock was really ticking as even with the addition of several pumps, filters and aerators we couldn't leave the fish in there for long before the stress factor kicked in, in fact we reckoned on around 36hrs was all we had, .. not long with so much to do and a bloody great hole to dig. Still, all went well and inside two days the fish were in a new 10ft x 19ft garden pond, 3ft deep and ready for landscaping. The finished result and all the various info re pumps and filtration systems are available on request. The last photo gives you a guide as to how the whole thing will look and once finished the garden is transformed into a two level area with two steps at the end of the pond, concealed pumping and filtration units plus waterfall etc. The whole thing cost around £2,000 from start to finish and, to date, the fish are doing well in their new home.

Whilst, as stated, we do not usually get involved in garden ponds we are always pleased to give advice on all aspects of creating one so if you need any help just drop us an email via admin@supafish.com

If we can help we will, from species selection to design and everything in between such as disease control, treatments etc. This advice is generally free so there is no excuse whatsoever for not providing your fish with the ideal garden pond. They are entirely dependent on you for the world they live in so take the responsibility seriously, ..................... for their sake.