I wish I could build a pond in my tiny garden, but with a huge Gleditsia (Honeylocust) tree planted on the fence-line, yikes - it would be a lot of work to keep clean and too shady to attempt. I love watching fish swim about and see living plants grow in water. Relaxes me.
My compromise:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4b3xjXruh0YIoypUscA6rOtUWs7TLsqkDoKj7UmBl7QGNHHnzSHxK4nKwZ7jduowreT2RObO-93a1mXfRB2ocKgpM_FfAnseqvDhmgTGyKZD2lP_i7ptn8AWsnqEjwltL4QBNSkIu6S4L/s1600/2014_august_10_02.jpg) |
Found this great flask/terrarium at Pier 1 Imports. Made in Spain, it's quite durable - with
rather thick glass (weighs a ton without the water), I thought it was
the perfect choice for my new fresh water pets: "Goldie"& 'Gorbie". I've seen
other terrarium style glass bowls and such but all made from glass too
delicate for outside. This one is perfect. |
The small spouted neck will prevent unwanted animals and birds from attempting to grab my fish. Big enough to provide air, to access and clean.
I've added two fresh-water, living plants:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfUklt50pQsvFJV9MTS5FrsuTDra4g1L4ZJBXhaxPl1viDWglgE-X8Kxh5L7_3I6gLYyYe0mQL4Mt5rm76ov7iEh9ifmVhgIiNZ_zN6lD2ITrsw0AO2VOJQYexusWclzgrvXr8exkVScQ/s1600/2014_august_10_04.jpg) |
Hornwort - ferny plant and Duckweed - lime green butterfly floaters |
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Both plants will oxygenate the water and Goldfish eat Duckweed, when nothing else is available. (Great back-up food source for weekend getaways).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSGicpZirJG7LHi6u6wIvzdJ5pzv4IWS7hfGQg3R_2rimd-E1lsNv01tJ-h-Jw1hJQsw5Iniu9vxramsalRA-a408j7LCfXNTa-cYfruYCmUgHCQWghKxDh6N2saA6q4DhWywxK8AYAgg/s1600/2014_august_10_03.jpg) |
Portable enough so that I can take it inside come any change in weather. Still need to find a perfect stand but for now, it nestles into my planters. |
Because Hortwort floats, best to get sinking Goldfish food. That way the fish don't have to tangle and fight with plant life.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXNHHKmKSKS6asfSoEy_9vMnbz-B8HwETkjMT2VlaNrkRY4c0ediQZTzE1r5s5w7yjTgMyqlovn6GEUeQtHKwMYvZ9d5VPL7bxfUF8HvPvBahOMFCmYOUgyxE8dKKi0WPNt0xNrVLyqYe/s1600/2014_august_10_05.jpg) |
To help clean the terrarium, this little fresh water snail will help a lot. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCRUXNKIch-LYpQdwgV2y0M6KPtjD4fT46ENoMNIvMi1wH0m33NACDKBa9tO9M12c7o9yjh3Yhn-lSnfSIvjD-zVbZn_tEJH0lcKQ4Nkcr6eJrd2ad3QpyiE9qXLZGv705myOungOjwys/s1600/2014_august_10_07.jpg) |
I chose goldfish for their tough ability to withstand temperature ranges and for their colouration. 'Goldie' stands out quite well, to give visual interest. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBA3ELwbs5eJ3h3MKrsszT8tcPnSnH5IcC1cp9GpHm-jdBtnW-BcqRYywTMEKTjlkT2Asrl6-CUcLeEtItavtGwdiUT-yj6HplA05MQA43pIzgkNuGQ_IvnwGIJK5o0ZfCZuX6ZTeI3go/s1600/2014_august_10_06.jpg) |
Was glad to find 'Gorbie' (named after Mikhail Gorbachev :) isn't he/she cute? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugflwrz_vYXnwt-_56XbPH9zkDKaXaP_wogQixYtynjB1awNxk5Tq9XXvSi8OcoN4QqqnhlMnBFV8PWbmExQSmIxEFdTX90WUzjctunPvKZ0bEOed5pxXeer-vWq-GHZA_ovCKz2tsTxT/s1600/2014_august_10_08.jpg) |
Best friends. |
I will warn you, this is not the easiest to take care of. Each week, I remove about 1/3 of the water. I have a turkey baster that I use to suck out the waste at the bottom and I wash the bowl once every 2-3 weeks. It is a labour of love, but sooo worth the effort.
This would be great for condo/apartment balconies too.
This looks very pretty, but is horrible for the fish. Single-tail goldfish need at least 50 gallons for the first fish and a lot of filtration. It is a complete myth that goldfish will do well in a bowl. They live much shorter lifespans and die when their organs grow too large for their stunted bodies and they fail. In a proper set-up goldfish can live up to 50 years. Please, if these fish are still alive, give them to a proper home before it is too late for them.
ReplyDeleteIsland Bird - I understand your concern. These two goldfish continue to live and out-grew the terrarium. They lived happily indoors this past winter with a pump. In total, they lived in the terrarium for nearly 8 months. I released them into a garden pond in late June. I use the terrarium now with snails, hornwort and some other aquatic plants. Given I bought feeder goldfish for 25cents/ea, they had a better and longer life than in the gullet of another fish.
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