Many people have added fishponds to their garden these days, as water features have become more accessible for gardeners. In terms of the kind of thing that make great accessories for a fishpond, it depends on the purpose and setting of the water itself.
Traditional water features need to be chosen with a specific pond in mind. Many wish to keep their fish safe from he ravages of wild animals, while others may welcome certain plant and animal life, but need to keep intrusive growths such as algae at bay.
Other people will be looking for something a little more flamboyant. Many gardeners who install ponds like to see some kind of water feature, a small fountain perhaps, or a cascading waterfall.
Of course, a pond could be more about keeping fish in than looking good, in which case such features might well be at odds with creating the right environment for fish to live in. For those who are keeping fish, a net is the first accessory they should be looking to acquire.
Nets are useful as tools to help keep the water clear of rubbish or intrusive plants. They are also used to remove fish if the pond is subject to maintenance work, or the animal needs removing for medical reasons of some kind.
A small electrified fence is an accessory which some gardeners use to keep unwanted animals away from the fish in their pond. These give out a small electrical shock when an animal comes into contact with them, which hopefully makes it a relatively harmless way of keeping a pond free from predation.
While this method of preventing fish predation can be effective, it is also ethically dubious to a number of gardeners, who would rather not electrocute animals, at however low a dose. Often, a replica figure of a heron or other type of predator can keep rival predators away, as herons are territorial birds. There is much debate about whether this works or not though, and some experts feel that seeing a predator in a pond may actually encourage other predators to see the location as fruitful source of food.
Another decorative flourish can be achieved with some kind of sculptured feature such as a statue. Rock sculptures can give a pond a rustic feel, especially alongside the right kind of plants. Gnomes are still popular with many people, who appreciate the kitsch humor of seeing a gnome with a fishing rod at a pond's edge.
Temperature management is a key issue for many pond owners, especially if they are keeping fish. It is unwise to try and feed fish at temperatures of less than ten degrees centigrade, for example. A pH tester is another useful accessory, keeping the right balance between acid and alkali can be crucial to a pond's health.
Ideas for great accessories for a fishpond can best be found by going out and having a look at other fishponds and water features and seeing what works. As with any project, careful planning and forethought is key to discovering what works best.
Traditional water features need to be chosen with a specific pond in mind. Many wish to keep their fish safe from he ravages of wild animals, while others may welcome certain plant and animal life, but need to keep intrusive growths such as algae at bay.
Other people will be looking for something a little more flamboyant. Many gardeners who install ponds like to see some kind of water feature, a small fountain perhaps, or a cascading waterfall.
Of course, a pond could be more about keeping fish in than looking good, in which case such features might well be at odds with creating the right environment for fish to live in. For those who are keeping fish, a net is the first accessory they should be looking to acquire.
Nets are useful as tools to help keep the water clear of rubbish or intrusive plants. They are also used to remove fish if the pond is subject to maintenance work, or the animal needs removing for medical reasons of some kind.
A small electrified fence is an accessory which some gardeners use to keep unwanted animals away from the fish in their pond. These give out a small electrical shock when an animal comes into contact with them, which hopefully makes it a relatively harmless way of keeping a pond free from predation.
While this method of preventing fish predation can be effective, it is also ethically dubious to a number of gardeners, who would rather not electrocute animals, at however low a dose. Often, a replica figure of a heron or other type of predator can keep rival predators away, as herons are territorial birds. There is much debate about whether this works or not though, and some experts feel that seeing a predator in a pond may actually encourage other predators to see the location as fruitful source of food.
Another decorative flourish can be achieved with some kind of sculptured feature such as a statue. Rock sculptures can give a pond a rustic feel, especially alongside the right kind of plants. Gnomes are still popular with many people, who appreciate the kitsch humor of seeing a gnome with a fishing rod at a pond's edge.
Temperature management is a key issue for many pond owners, especially if they are keeping fish. It is unwise to try and feed fish at temperatures of less than ten degrees centigrade, for example. A pH tester is another useful accessory, keeping the right balance between acid and alkali can be crucial to a pond's health.
Ideas for great accessories for a fishpond can best be found by going out and having a look at other fishponds and water features and seeing what works. As with any project, careful planning and forethought is key to discovering what works best.
About the Author:
Outdoor Living UK offers beautiful water features and accessories. Whether you're searching for outdoor fishpond or something else, have a browse through the extensive ranges