So for those of us with common/single tailed fish, the ideal home is a pond.
Now I appreciate not everyone has the space for a pond or they might not be allowed to by parents or landlords.
While I currently don't own my property, I rent, I have been working on an idea, that means I can take a pond with me when I move. All that needs to be done for it, is a small hole drilled into a window pane, so I can get electricity outside. This hole can be filled upon leaving with something like putty and would be accessible should a new tenant to the property want electricity outside.
So of course with a pond that can be moved, sadly, the cheapest option of digging a hole and lining it with pond underlay and liner, is out of the question. Although I am hoping when I own my house, this could be a possibility.
So can a portable pond be achieved? Yes.
I have two solutions, that I have been working on since the idea of a pond sounded like fun to me and lets face it, I don't really want to give Lucky away. Not until I've exhausted every possible option.
My two solutions are attached below, in all the glories of MS Paint.
The first image, is my very original idea.
A completely raised wooden pond. The idea of a viewing window, I've since learnt is very expensive. So I will probably do it without the viewing window to save on money.
But what you have here is;
A basic timber frame, that has Plywood lining the insides and a tongue & groove exterior. In between this would be roofing insulation to stop the pond from freezing.
Pond underlay and liner would be on top of the plywood and sandwiched between two pieces of timber at the top. The idea of sandwiching the pond liner between timber battening, mean's it can easily be lifted out. Leaving just the wooden frame.
The lid with polycarbonate sheets is for bad and cold weather, another means of insulation.
Another additional feature is my water fall to help with surface agitation, with a box that can hide the filter beneath it. This would need a pressurised pond filter.
This pond would also need an electrical kit, for getting electricity outside and possibly a blagdon pond heater, one of the types that doesn't heat the pond, but keeps an area of the surface ice free.
In my rough workings out, this would cost about £450, but the end result would be a 2.4 x 1.2 x 0.6m pond which would hold 1728 litres. When you consider the cost of a tank/stand, this is pretty cheap for the size your getting.
(I apologise I have foot written on my diagram, I realised shortly after it was easier to work in metres, but you get the idea
)
The second image is my 'holy heck my first idea is expensive' option
What you have here is;
A pre-formed plastic tub, that can be buried OR left free standing. With dimensions of about 6 x 4 x 2 foot it will hold 1300 litres.
If you're in the position of being able to bury it, then awesome, no money for wood.
All you'd need literally is the filter and electricity kit. Which for the basic 3 items it works out at around £300.
Depending on the price of the pre-formed plastic tub. I have seen it cheapest on the internet in Darlington, for around £150, of course they don't deliver this item
Places near me have quoted nearer £199.
Of course if you can't bury it, you can of course insulate it as I've shown in the diagram. A polycarbonate lid could also be built
I'm not entirely sure how much it would cost wood wise, to do this, I got a bit of a headache with converting as all B&Q/Wickes do is sell in metres, not foot. But I would imagine, it would probably cost around £100 give or take.
So for a pond tub with wood, you are probably looking at around £400. But again this would be a 1300 litre pond.
The pond tub itself would be easy enough to move as you could easily slide it out of the ground/wooden frame and move it separately.
So there you have it.
My insane ideas, that I have had help with planning from a very lovely member over at PFK.
Not to mention all of this is for a fish I got for free!!! XD No wonder people think I'm bonkers.
What do you guys think
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