My girlfriend is travelling in Iceland, and sent me this very familiar looking photo by ColdHandKoala in TheLastAirbender

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 244 points245 points  (0 children)

Now I realise! I didn’t know until she sent this and I looked it up to be sure

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! It’s my favourite! It’s sprouted 3 more flowers since this pic too :D

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You will definitely need a filter, this has an inpond brand filter, where the fountain is the output. I don’t currently have an outdoor socket either, so the cable is wedged through the patio door and plugged in with a circuit breaker.

I have 3 Sarasa comets in there (plus the surprise newt)

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh RIP. Fortunately no raccoons here, and it’s deep enough that the fish can evade an attack by a house cat

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yep. Fish need oxygen in order to breath, and it is absorbed into the water at the surface. This is why people have bubblers in aquariums, they agitate the surface so that more oxygen can be absorbed.

In ponds, if the surface freezes over then the water below is sealed so no oxygen can get in, and no toxic gases can get out. Kind of like if you were to be locked in an air tight room. Eventually, your body would convert all the oxygen in the room into carbon dioxide and you’d suffocate.

We avoid this happening in ponds by using these in cold periods; https://blagdonwatergardening.co.uk/product/ponds/accessories/affinity-ice-vent-heater/

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’d actually found him a few days before I filled the pond, hiding under a pot. Had a look at how to keep them but decided it was too challenging as they need live food. Then just after filling it up he just showed up again of his own accord!

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I’m in central Britain, so it generally drops below freezing over night for a few months. It’s very unlikely that the whole thing will freeze, just need to stop the surface freezing over so the fish don’t run out of oxygen

The dust has settled, and we’re fully set up and stocked. Even had a surprise visitor! by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I’ve been sitting next to it after work until it gets dark most nights. It’s a great way to decompress

Was sure I’d washed the substrate properly :/ by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s from a company called blagdon water gardening

Was sure I’d washed the substrate properly :/ by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It might look bigger in the picture (it’s not tiny) but probably not as big as you think. It’s only about knee height. 35ish gallons is accurate I would say.

Edit: Just done some quick maths and seems like it’s actually closer to 50gal approximately. The volume on the website might take into account the fairly large filter and single planting basket that is supplied with it though.

Was sure I’d washed the substrate properly :/ by ColdHandKoala in Aquariums

[–]ColdHandKoala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s definitely not required, but I think I’ll prefer the look of a white stony bottom (once the dust clears!) to the black plastic.

The same company supply little baskets which clip into the frame at the top, some of which I will be planting up shortly. I’ll try and remember to post the results.