Oh, I’m planning on having Japanese maples!
Wabi sabi, man, wabi sabi!
About 20, of 4 species in the 2-3 inch range. The biggest fish we have get to 6 inches.. All native (Although we have red fish, which are a native species but bred to have color; so a variety that is non-natural. However, as they are not goldfish/carp species, they do not ruin the vegetation).
Me too, although my lighting setup was never sufficient to keep the really nice corals. Used to have a yellow tang, flame angel, a couple of clownfish, scooter blenny, cleaner shrimp, caulerpa, starfish, live rock. I gave it up after the tank sprang a leak and dumped 55 gallons of saltwater on my floor.
The orange buckets complement the yellow lights. You should definitely leave them.
Too late! He took them. We don’t have a near-by Home Depot. Would Lowe’s blue buckets do?
Oh, I broke down the reef and gave away all the equipment to a friend when we moved from Atlanta to the country way back in 2002. I had metal halide lights, a chiller, protein skimmer... the works. Would be a lot easier to do today with the led lights!
I think the colors would clash. You'll just have to do without them.
Honestly, I had no idea ponds were so complicated. I thought you just dig a hole and fill it with water. But it makes sense, given the complex environment of a natural pond. You've got a beauty, and I hope you enjoy many pleasant hours there.
Once it’s set up, the way I have it set up, it will be very low maintenance. Once a year, we turn off the pump to the bog, drop in a sump pump down the “snorkel” (think well shaft) and pump it out. It’s kinda like cleaning out a septic tank. Mine is oversized, I could probably get by doing it every other year. On the biofalls, lift the filter and hose it out maybe once a quarter, or once every 6 months. There’s a skimmer, which is easy to empty of leaves and debris. I have no overhanging trees, so that’s going to be minimal. Rain should keep it filled most of the year. If there’s a drought, I’ll have to top it up from time to time.
If you decide on getting a lantern, get a decent one--i.e. no cast stone, aggregate, cement, or God help us--resin.. Those are crap and will detract from this beautiful installation. Shop around for an actual granite, or basalt stone lantern. There are pretty decent lanterns being carved in the U.S. I got a three foot high, granite oribe lantern about 20 years ago. It was carved in California. Been extremely pleased with it as it ages.
www.pacificstonescape.com
Thanks for the advice. I’m undecided on the lantern. I’m not after a “Japanese Garden” effect. (Although they are beautiful!)If you decide on getting a lantern, get a decent one--i.e. no cast stone, aggregate, cement, or God help us--resin.. Those are crap and will detract from this beautiful installation. Shop around for an actual granite, or basalt stone lantern. There are pretty decent lanterns being carved in the U.S. I got a three foot high, granite oribe lantern about 20 years ago. It was carved in California. Been extremely pleased with it as it ages.
This place has decent stuff:
Rankei and Kotoji ("tuning fork legs allow it to be placed in shallow water) are the traditional lantern styles for water features.
Kotoji
Kotoji | Japanese Stone Lanterns & Basins
Gracefully arching Kotoji spans small waterway, dry creek bed or other flowing element Drilled for lighting wire. A note about shipping damage vs. minor flaws in our stone lanterns...
Good luck with the repairs. Hope you have some help...FWIW, a good Japanese lantern doesn't really scream "HEY THIS IS A JAPANESE GARDEN" If you get a good one that's subtle, it "feels" like it should be there and does not bring the kitschy vibe with it.
I agree. Those bamboo fountains definitely do! And I don’t want a Buddha figurine, or one of those Asian face sculptures (I have no idea who/what they’re supposed to symbolize).
Just about the best kind of hole.
