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'Temporary' cheap pond ideas for child!

ChilliBob
Posts: 2,262 Forumite

Right, time to Don your Blue Peter badges for this one gang! My little rascal, age 4, seems to have a bit of an obsession sbout us getting a pond.
Simple answer, we aren't, and we won't, we don't have the space, and have a new baby on the way...!
However, I got thinking, if I could somehow do something small scale and temporary, which doesn't involve a hole in the ground.
I got as far as a shallow plastic box, around which we could put some stones around, and hey presto, basically a pond...
Am I optimistic/a bit silly? Are there other ideas or considerstion? Am I just creating a mozzi trap? And... If not how could I actuslly attract some kind of life to it to make it more than a box of stagnant water?
Ideas on a post card! Ha ha.
Cheers gang.
Simple answer, we aren't, and we won't, we don't have the space, and have a new baby on the way...!
However, I got thinking, if I could somehow do something small scale and temporary, which doesn't involve a hole in the ground.
I got as far as a shallow plastic box, around which we could put some stones around, and hey presto, basically a pond...
Am I optimistic/a bit silly? Are there other ideas or considerstion? Am I just creating a mozzi trap? And... If not how could I actuslly attract some kind of life to it to make it more than a box of stagnant water?
Ideas on a post card! Ha ha.
Cheers gang.
2
Comments
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What size pond do you want? If you get the right balance of plant life the water will be clear.0
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i remember collecting frog spawn from all the local ponds. Was rather fun locating them on map and finding them.collecting spawn to put in our pond.35k savings no debt0
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Thanks buff, I think that hits the nail on the head. @stuart45 - probably the smallest I can try away with and it still be marginally interesting. So, I'd think a washing up bowl is the minimum, double that size the max. I'm clearing gravel from a driveway so I'll use that on the bottom and to build up a ramp so to speak.
Seems I just need to find pond plants, as a key ingredient I had forgotten0 -
Any small container will require regular topping up with water. Certainly on a weekly basis for smaller bowls.Got an old butler sink here you could have if you're willing to collect...Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
I hadn't figured in topping up, but that makes sense, I should try to collect rainwater and use that I guess.
Butler sink eh? that sounds like a good idea, I suspect the chances of us being closely located are pretty low, but you never know - thanks for the offer!1 -
Yes, rain water if you can. The pond life will much prefer itPlease keep us updated on this when you (hopefully) get around to it - it'll be great to see what turns up!0
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What about a small aquarium indoors/outdoors and filled with some water from the local pond, canal etc. Bit of weed and away you go!Aquariums are often on Freecycle etc or you could do a request.0
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Woolsery said:What about a small aquarium indoors/outdoors and filled with some water from the local pond, canal etc. Bit of weed and away you go!Aquariums are often on Freecycle etc or you could do a request.
I think my sticking point now is those pond plants, will have to havr a look for local shops0 -
If you join a Facebook or similar page for your area, I'm sure folk will fall over themselves to offer cuttings from their own pond - it's often a regular thing just to keep it under control...0
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