| Fish ponds and water gardens are beautiful, elaborate | | | | require a lot to thrive. Once your pond is established |
| and they are an excellent way to enhance your | | | | they will eat algae. If you want to feed them fish |
| backyard and bring an aquatic touch to your | | | | food also, do so sparingly. |
| landscape design. The first thing most people think is, | | | | As far as plants go, many first think of water lilies. |
| "I wish I could have one of those but there is no | | | | Though beautiful, they can not only be expensive but |
| way I can afford it." That is not true; you just have | | | | they require soil. Lucky bamboo thrives in an aquatic |
| to be a little creative. Imagine having one of these | | | | environment and is much less expensive. Just doing a |
| beauties in your yard and being able to peacefully sit | | | | little extensive shopping and bargain hunting can get |
| by your garden, watch the fish swim by, and listen | | | | you the beautiful pond of your dreams. The thing to |
| to the babble of the water flowing. These are very | | | | remember is, if you can imagine it, you can build it. |
| relaxing and therapeutic. | | | | Consider the location of your pond. If you have it in |
| Installing your pond yourself will save you money and | | | | the sun all day you will have thick green water in no |
| it is easy. You can pick all of the specs yourself such | | | | time. You want it in the shade for half of the day |
| as location, size and contents. You will need a pond | | | | but you do not want it under a tree where it can get |
| liner. They sell pre-formed liners and full kits but they | | | | littered with leaves and debris. You will constantly be |
| get pretty pricey. You can get a heavy waterproof | | | | cleaning it and then it will be hard to enjoy. Also, if |
| tarp or a plastic half barrel; both are under $50 and | | | | you put your pond in a low lying location it could |
| are found in any garden store. If you are going to | | | | flood very easily. |
| have fish and are concerned about predators, you | | | | An important thing to remember is not to overcrowd |
| may want to opt for the half barrel because it has | | | | your pond with fish. When you buy your fish make |
| steeper sides. You pond will need to be near water | | | | sure you ask an experts advice on how many fish |
| and electrical sources because you will also need a | | | | you should have in your pond considering its size. |
| filtration system. If you are going to have fish, you | | | | Remember to not place you pond in an area that is |
| will need non-chlorinated water. Any pet or aquarium | | | | too sunny and do not overfeed your fish. Finally, |
| store will sell inexpensive gold fish and they do not | | | | enjoy your masterpiece. |