Hiding places

[Huckleberry12]

Soon I'll be finished my pond, at least enough to move the fish in. They have been waiting in their old preform that has a stucco wire cover on it which is a good time I go as a heron stopped by for lunch a couple of weeks ago. The new pond will not be covered and I've been thinking about how to protect the fish from predators, especially herons. I'm wondering what others use to create hiding places for their fish. I have just four fish (but look forward to getting a few more). One is home free because she's black - of course I can rarely see her myself! They are 5-6". I've found they really like the clay flue tile I put in for them. It's about 9"x9"X11". They all hang out in there together quite comfortably, and the pump sits on top of it.

I look forward to getting plants established but am concerned about the lack of "natural" cover in the colder months. I made a couple of shelters out of rocks that are quite lovely, but I think the flue tiles will be much more secure.

I'd love to hear what others use.

 

[addy1]

The fish hatchery people I picked up some fish from use the flue tiles for fish hiding places. The raise them in mud ponds, no nets, add flue tiles to give the fish hiding spots.

 

[slakker]

I put a large slab of slate on some large rocks about 8" off the bottom where they swim under when frightened. I also use it as a table to put my potted lilies on so works double duty...

 

[Big Lou]

Back in the day I used half of a large bottomless flower pot.

 

[Mmathis]

Here are 2 things that I've done. I only have goldfish. I ended up doing away with the bucket as the crates were providing adequate hiding places [plus doubling as plant stands].

This was with a 2 gallon bucket (like from Lowe's/Home Depot) that I cut the bottom off. The landscape fabric helped camouflage the bucket, and once some algae grew on it, it looked "natural" and like "sea weed" growing in the pond. Rocks glued inside keep it weighted.

These are milk crates (Tractor Supply). I sawed the 4 sides out to leave just the support structures, then rounded and sanded all the edges to make them smooth. My lily buckets (Wally-World oil pans) go on them, and I stuff some Hornwort underneath. If you didn't put plants on them, you'd have to weight it with something as it will float.

 

[Huckleberry12]

Great ideas! It is good to be able to have hiding places do double-duty to support a plant or pump. The flue tile works really well; it was just something I had on hand because I always thought they looked quite neat. Someone is giving me a couple more. I like the idea of covering them so they blend in more. I think I'll try that.

 

[callingcolleen1]

I have also seen where they place larger metal type tunnels and fill them with rocks on top and that hides the tunnel and gives a more natural look too. The tubes are metal of some sort, used in construction to pipe water threw culvert.

 

[RobAmy]

I used drain pipes with rocks on the top of them, you can see one of them under that flat rock

IMG_2017 by Rob & Amy Lavoie, on Flickr

 

[Lisak1]

We used drain pipe too, although we cut a slice off the bottom because it was too large - a cast off piece from a plumber friend. We added small boulders to the top to camouflage it.

 

[sissy]

I heard now that most places don't like the tunnels because if a fish dies in the tunnel it can foul up the water and you don't know why because you can't see inside the tunnels .I love your idea turtle mommy it is similar to mine but without the plant holder since my koi destroy plants .Those crates are so cheap also .I use them on top of my filters for the activated charcoal and and quilt batting

 

[Priscilla]

I heard now that most places don't like the tunnels because if a fish dies in the tunnel it can foul up the water and you don't know why because you can't see inside the tunnels .I love your idea turtle mommy it is similar to mine but without the plant holder since my koi destroy plants .Those crates are so cheap also .I use them on top of my filters for the activated charcoal and and quilt batting

Not to change the subject, but what do you mean by this "I use them on top of my filters for the activated charcoal and and quilt batting' . Always interested to up my filtration and help the pond be clearer and cleaner.

I use the crates too for hiding spots for my fish.

 

[sissy]

I put the crate on top of my filters .The hose from the pump is stuck through the crate opening.This way it runs into there before going into the stock tank