| By :
Dirik Hameed
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. Choosing outdoor water features can therefore be a tricky process, and must be focused on the specific pond. Some people may require something to minimize the negative effects of wild animals on the water, or perhaps to keep intrusive growths of plants such as algae to a minimum. Other gardeners will perhaps favour a more flamboyant and decorative flourish. Often, a pond's appearance is boosted by an additional water feature such as fountain or waterfall, which can add a touch if understated grandeur to the garden set-up. 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 can prevent some predation of fish, it can also seem a little extreme to some gardeners, who may prefer to see their pond as a wildlife resource rather than an isolated island of watery perfection. They may therefore prefer to put up a replica of a heron or similar predator to discourage other creatures. Herons are territorial birds, but there is some debate about whether animals can recognize symbolic representations of themselves with any kind of sophistication. 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. Managing water temperature is another activity which is crucial to a pond's health. Fish should never be fed at temperatures below 10 degrees centigrade. In order to monitor this, a useful acquisition for any pond keeper is a floating thermometer. It is also useful to acquire a pH tester too, as keeping the acidity levels of the water at the right percentages is crucial to the health of a pond and everything living in it. What should always be remembered is that ideas for great accessories for a fishpond can be obtained by having a good look round at what has worked for other people who own fishponds, and to try and incorporate those features which most appeal into personal conceptions.
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