Transforming Your Patio Has Never Been Easier

In today's article, KingOfAquariums is going to build a brand new pond. Actually, it's an emergency task—he just changed the water in his own pond, which isn't a big deal.

The reason is that KingOfAquariums needed to find a new home for his African cichlids, and the only way was to build a pond. So, he found this large plastic basin; it was very sturdy, and he was sure it could hold water. Plus, the basin was conveniently located next to an electrical outlet, perfectly meeting his needs. Next, he'll fill the basin with water to test for leaks. If that's okay, he can start building the pond.

The Selection and Use of Stones

First, he needs to ensure the plastic basin has no cracks or holes on the sides, and that it can withstand the weight of the water. If both are met, then it's a preliminary success. Next, he'll place some stones at the bottom of the basin and then install a water pump.

The next step is preparing the stones. While the plastic basin was being filled with water, he needed to check why the water flow was so slow and then go get some stones—the blogger planned to fetch some from his own stone pile. These stones didn't need to be fancy; old stones from the garden would do. The reason he didn't specifically choose stones was that he was putting African cichlids in the pond, and these stones might provide the fish with extra minerals, which they needed. In addition, he would add some leaves and branches to the pond; those scattered around would be suitable. Adding these things would give the water a more natural hue, making the pond look more pristine, and would also be beneficial for the fish, especially the African cichlids.

He further explained why using ordinary stones is important for African cichlids: these stones help balance the water's color. So every step had its purpose, but the key was to ensure all the equipment worked properly together.

Installing and Adjusting the Poposoap Pond Fountain

Next, he would install the Poposoap pond fountain. This fountain is a lifesaver when you need to set up an emergency pond—it comes with everything you need and is incredibly easy to install. Simply unpack it, snap the parts onto the top, and tighten them—nothing complicated. As you can see, it includes all the components needed for a pond filter: bio-balls and filter pads to filter out large particles. Installation is simple: align all the parts with the holes, snap the sides on, and it's ready to use. He pressed it lightly, and the parts were in place.

He particularly liked one design feature of the Poposoap filter: the adjustable knob on top. Because the pond he was building was relatively small, he would turn the knob down to almost the lowest setting, which seemed just right.

While this filter works well for small ponds or similar scenarios, it's important to note the following during installation: tighten the relevant parts to control the upward water flow. Also, set the equally adjustable water pump to the lowest setting—as the pump is also adjustable for connecting other equipment later. This is to prevent water from being sprayed too far and splashing onto other parts of the terrace. After adjusting these details, he'll start adding stones to the pond to see how it will ultimately look.

Pond Setup Tips and Precautions

He also shared a recently discovered tip, which he feels might be a bit late to the party, but he'd like to mention it anyway: when setting up a pond, first secure the fountain or filtration system as the core element. He's already secured the filter with stones. He won't over-decorate the pond because he's unsure if the equipment will work properly after being plugged in; he'll just have to test it out.

However, he corrected a previous statement: don't tighten the parts completely; just tighten them slightly. This allows the water to form a small, circular jet. If it's too tight, the water will spray onto the other side of the terrace, which would definitely annoy his wife and others.

Next, he'll add chemicals to the pond. He especially thanks Poposoap, calling the brand a lifesaver, because it allowed him to find a new home for his African cichlids. Moreover, this device isn't just suitable for emergency ponds; it's also a great addition to regular ponds or water gardens—Poposoap also offers a solar-powered version, which he's already using, along with a Poposoap water feature. You can check it out. He reiterated that Poposoap was a huge help in setting up this type of pond, for which he's very grateful.

Finally, before stocking the fish, he installs a heater in the pond. It's also crucial to allow sufficient time for the water to acclimate and complete the nitrification cycle, a process that typically takes about a month, though the exact time may vary slightly.