| Although you may have favorite tropical fish for | | | | process, and a bit more involved than adding |
| your indoor aquarium, when it comes to setting | | | | them to an aquarium. First, float the sealed bag |
| up an outdoor pond you may have to adjust your | | | | for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the |
| selections a bit. What works inside may not work | | | | temperatures to come up and match in both the |
| outside where the environmental conditions can | | | | bag and the pond. Next, open the bag and add |
| be harder to keep under control. Let's take a look | | | | some pond water to the bag and reseal. Re-float |
| at some of the more popular pond fish for | | | | the bag for another 2-3 hours or overnight. Finally, |
| outdoor habitats. | | | | after checking the overall health of the fish, you |
| * First, before you even think about putting fish | | | | can release it into the pond. |
| into your pond you should make sure that you | | | | * Based on what fish you chose, be sure to |
| turn on the pump and filtration device and let it | | | | introduce some aquatic plants to your pond to |
| circulate for at least 5-7 days. This allows for | | | | help them feel more at home. An added benefit is |
| everything in the pond to neutralize out and also | | | | the plants will also help to balance out your pond |
| lets you test your equipment. Better to find out | | | | ecosystem. Again, don't crowd the pond out with |
| before you put your expensive fish in the pond | | | | plants but make sure that you have enough to |
| that something isn't right! Don't forget to test the | | | | help reduce algae and provide a habitat for the |
| pH as well at the end of the 5-7 days. | | | | fish. You may also find that over time Mother |
| * Next, the golden rule of thumb is you should | | | | Nature may also add some of her own plants to |
| allow 24 square inches of pond for every 1 inch | | | | the environment! |
| of fish. Goldfish and Koi Carp are two of the | | | | * Finally, with your new pond up and running and |
| more popular outdoor fish that people place in | | | | stocked, be sure to monitor how your fish are |
| ponds. However, if you want to spend a little bit | | | | reacting. Some will take to their new home with |
| more money you can also look into getting | | | | ease, while others will require a longer getting |
| Japanese Koi and Israel Koi which can add some | | | | acquainted period. The simple truth is some fish |
| welcome variety to the pond. | | | | just don't do well outdoors, and you may find that |
| * Once you've made your selection it's time to | | | | you have to change your plans as you learn what |
| introduce them to the pond. This is a multi-step | | | | species work well outside and what don't. |