Winterization system. Homemade. Lots of pictures!

[FountainMan]

I've had my plants in a tub for a while and decided to get a bit more advanced. I bought some supplies at the store and got to work.

These 2 tubs are the most important componets because of course they hold the water.

Making the holes for the pipe work (fountain and skimmer). For this I used a soldering iron and a penny to melt the holes which is easier than cutting them with sharps which produce a lot of shavings.

Here's the pipe used. The black pipe goes inside the vinyl which reinforces the pipe and makes it rigid.

The hole made by the hot penny is just the right size for the tubing and has a nice snug fit.

Hot glueing the tubing in place. Really this is not nessisary as the water level in the lower tub will not excede the level in the upper.

Installing the pump. This is a 40 GPH table top pump which is perfect for the project.

The skimmer/return. This I got from an old fountain nozzle.

Installing the filtration material which is the stuffing used in sewing. As you can see this has already had some usage as a filter. I think sometime in the future I may decide to hook up a low voltage UV light to the light output on the pump.

All assembled. You can probably geuss how this will work.

First plants go in the left is Umbrella Palm and the right is Mimosa (Sensitive Plant).

Completed. All the pond plants are happy and healthy and ready to wait out the winter.

Specialty grow light.

Here is the fountain all fired up. This helps aerate the water while adding tranquility to the room.

The skimmer doing it's thing.

View under water. Sorry it's a bit foggy. The camera has issues seeing through the plastic. Looks better in person.

Cross view of the pump and filtration system.

That's it. Hope everyone likes it.

 

[capewind]

It all looks great... just wish the pics had been bigger... just hard to see:-( but got the gist of it

 

[FountainMan]

It all looks great... just wish the pics had been bigger... just hard to see:-( but got the gist of it

Thanks. Sorry about the photos. I hope this helps others. I may even consider buying the materials and selling these as kits.

 

[FountainMan]

I'm also thinking of adding some small beta fish or tiger barb.

 

[capewind]

I found it very helpful (I need all the help I can get LOL), it was just hard for me to see the details.

What are your thoughts for adding the fish? I doubt they'll produce enough wastes to benefit the plants, but they sure would be cute in there

 

[FountainMan]

I found it very helpful (I need all the help I can get LOL), it was just hard for me to see the details.

What are your thoughts for adding the fish? I doubt they'll produce enough wastes to benefit the plants, but they sure would be cute in there

Just for intrest. Add some bling to the water feature. Guppies are also a good idea. Something small. The plants should be alright. They seem to have done well without the fish so I don't think there's any problem there.

What I can do is build some of these guys and sell them. I'll probably offer a small for 40$, medium for 60$, and a large for 80$. Includes a small pump, The tubs will be pre drilled and plumbed for the fountain and skimmer, and a mat of filtration medium. And a choice of fountain nozzles. I can print some instructions. Of course they should be easy to set up.

 

[capewind]

I am lucky to have a hubby that can do these kind of things, but bet there are plenty of people like me who need ready made or easy to follow instructions...

For interest fish, and small too, what about some neon tetras? Nice blue and red should stand out in the tote more than guppies?

 

[FountainMan]

I am lucky to have a hubby that can do these kind of things, but bet there are plenty of people like me who need ready made or easy to follow instructions...

For interest fish, and small too, what about some neon tetras? Nice blue and red should stand out in the tote more than guppies?

That's a good idea. I'm a bit worried about the fish jumping into the skimmer. They would not be able to get back out.

 

[capewind]

What about wrapping it in filter material? On our 750, one of the pumps didnt have a prefilter, so hubby wrapped filter material on it so baby koi wouldnt get sucked in... it is just secured on with zip ties... as a bonus, it works as a prefilter too,,,

 

[FountainMan]

What about wrapping it in filter material? On our 750, one of the pumps didnt have a prefilter, so hubby wrapped filter material on it so baby koi wouldnt get sucked in... it is just secured on with zip ties... as a bonus, it works as a prefilter too,,,

Or stick one of those plastic dish scrubbies in it. Actually I think I have a few of those lying around. I'll go do that.

 

[HARO]

If you go with tropical fish, you'll have to add a heater. The unheated tubs in my basement are around 60 F, too cold for tetras, etc. They'll need water around 75 F or a little higher. :twocents:
John

 

[FountainMan]

I also managed to get some grow light (bulbs) in the ceiling fan and aimed them twards the plants so this should add more light for the plants.

 

[FountainMan]

If you go with tropical fish, you'll have to add a heater. The unheated tubs in my basement are around 60 F, too cold for tetras, etc. They'll need water around 75 F or a little higher. :twocents:
John

Pond water 80 degrees F. I have an Acu-rite probe placed in the tub.