Enjoy a Well-Maintained Outdoor Pond

Nothing is better than enjoying the outdoors during the summer. During the warm summer months any activity is made enjoyable when done outside, whether it’s sleeping, socializing with friends or relaxing on a chair with a book. Out of the three, I would consider relaxing by the pool with a book as my perfect summer day. That was until I decided to install an outdoor pond. Although I cannot swim in it, my outdoor pond offers perfect background noise while I am reading as the water is circulated and the fish flutter on the surface.

Since installing the outdoor pond nearly every guest I have had over compliments it and tell me how much they would like one of their own. The compliments are very motivational as I built and installed the pond myself and continue to take care of it today. While I was originally deciding where to purchase the materials from I discovered Pampered Pets. Pampered Pets offers outdoor pond supplies in Toledo and carries a variety of styles and equipment and experts who are more than willing to lend their advice.

If having an outdoor pond sounds like something you enjoy, do not fear as it is possible to install yourself by understanding the basics. Building a pond yourself is easy but for a price, professionals can build a quality pond at a faster pace. If building the pond solo it is important to plan a design and find a good location. Purchasing a quality thermostat is also essential as it maintains the best temperature to prevent freezing in the winter and adds the possibility of sustaining life in your pond.

Live plants and other aquatic accessories are a good idea if you plan on housing fish in your pond. If live plans are the option to choose, make sure to monitor them carefully as if they die and decompose in the water it can lead to bacterial growth and even the death of your fish. An ultraviolet sterilizer which helps to clean your water can be a good investment, although an expensive one. Water purifiers or filters are not expensive but do require replacements every 16 months. Although quality products cost more, they last longer and are more reliable over time.

 

When looking for outdoor pond supplies in Toledo, look no further than Pampered Pets for a variety of quality parts and expert opinion.

Setting Up a Fish Aquarium Is Fun!

Recently, I moved to a new house in Toledo, Ohio. This house is more spacious than my previous one, so I decided to set up an aquarium. I did not want to buy one that was already prepared. I wanted to create a home for fish all by myself. It was a new and thrilling experience!

Steps for Setting Up an Aquarium

·         Select the right glass:After choosing a good place for my aquarium, my first step was to choose the glass to suit the size of the aquarium. The glass options are many. I was considering two: toughened glass and laminated glass. Although toughened glass is stronger, it shatters into small pieces when it breaks. On the other hand, laminated glass holds the pieces together for a while even if it cracks. With laminated glass, I would get enough time to replace my aquarium in case of any damage. My fish would remain safe. The thickness of the glass will vary depending on the aquarium size.

·          Put them together: Two things I used to put my aquarium together were the braces and silicone cream. I had five pieces of glass now. I put up the sides and bottom piece together with the silicon cream. Then, I had to secure the long piece and cross braces to keep the aquarium intact. I asked my friendly neighbor to helphold the aquarium from all sides while I fixed it. To complete the process, I taped it and sealed the gaps with some more silicon. After it dried for about half an hour, I scraped off the excess silicone to give a tidy look to the aquarium,which dried completely after 5 or 6 hours.

·         Check the glass: Now, It was time to check the glass for leakages. I added the water and luckily had noleakages.

·         Pick a strong base:Whichever place you have chosen for the aquarium, you need to ensure that it can handle the weight. A middle support is essential.If it bends, it may cause trouble for your aquarium and the fish.

I wanted my aquarium right at the center of my TV cabinet in my living room. In this way, I could enjoy the beautiful sight of colorful fish swimming in my aquarium.

·         Add aquarium supplies:My next step was to beautify the aquarium with the other supplies. Live aquatic plants, corals, a variety of fish of varied colors made my aquarium a work of art! I also bought a fountain to decorate the aquarium. I also attached a filter for water circulation.

·         Remember a word of caution: Building an aquarium in humid or cold conditions may be a bad idea. Tape does not adhere well because of the moistness.

The experience of building the aquarium was incredible. Is the effort worth it? Do you think it is better to buy an already prepared aquarium and then fill it with aquarium supplies?