Get Your Own Gold Fish Pond

#goldfish #goldfishpond #gordonlightfoot #circleofsteel
Creating your own goldfish pond can be a rewarding endeavor, offering both a serene ambiance to your home or garden and a comfortable habitat for your goldfish. Here are the general steps you should consider:

Planning: It's important to identify the best location for your pond. It should ideally be somewhere with partial sun (too much can cause algal bloom and too little can limit plant growth). Avoid places near trees to limit the amount of leaf litter that can fall into the pond. In terms of size, a depth of at least 3 feet is recommended to protect the goldfish from predators and to provide a safe zone during winter months.

Materials and Tools: Gather the necessary tools and materials such as a pond liner, a pump, a filter, rocks, gravel, plants, and of course, goldfish.

Excavation: Dig a hole in your chosen location according to the size of the pond you want. Make sure to add shelves at different depths for placing plants and to provide different zones for the fish.

Install the Pond Liner: Lay the pond liner into the hole and secure it around the edges. Ensure the liner is smooth and without wrinkles, allowing it to contour to the shape of the pond.

Install the Pump and Filter: These are crucial elements in maintaining a healthy pond. The pump circulates the water and the filter cleans it by removing waste and toxins. These should be correctly installed as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Add Rocks and Gravel: Place larger rocks around the perimeter of the pond to secure the liner and smaller stones and gravel on the bottom to offer a natural appearance and habitat for beneficial bacteria.

Planting: Introduce aquatic plants that will offer shade, shelter, and contribute to the overall health of the pond by absorbing excess nutrients that might otherwise contribute to algal growth.

Fill with Water and Cycle: Fill the pond with water and run the pump and filter. This helps establish beneficial bacteria in the filter and gravel that will help maintain water quality. It's recommended to let this run for a week or two before introducing fish.

Introduce Goldfish: Purchase your goldfish from a reputable supplier. Make sure to introduce them slowly to the pond to prevent shock. This can be done by floating their bag on the pond to let them acclimate to the temperature before releasing them.

Maintenance: Regularly check the water parameters and maintain your filter and pump to ensure your goldfish are healthy and your pond remains clear. Remove any dead leaves or excess algae, feed your goldfish appropriately, and keep an eye out for any potential disease.

Creating a goldfish pond requires some effort and maintenance, but it's a wonderful way to enhance your outdoor space and can be a rewarding pastime as well. It's a living ecosystem that you can continually learn from and improve upon.

The song in the video is by Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer-songwriter who passed away in May 2023. He is known for his folk-style songs, which often deal with themes of love, loss, and social commentary.

"Circle of Steel" is a song by Gordon Lightfoot that was released on his 1974 album, Sundown. The song is about the Vietnam War and the senselessness of war in general. The lyrics describe a soldier who is sent to fight in a war that he doesn't understand, and who eventually loses his life in the conflict.

The song is a powerful anti-war statement, and it has been praised by critics for its lyrics and its haunting melody. "Circle of Steel" is one of Gordon Lightfoot's most popular songs, and it has been covered by a number of other artists.

Here are some of the lyrics from "Circle of Steel":

They sent him to a foreign land
To fight a war he didn't understand
He never knew what he was fighting for
But he knew he had to do his part

He saw the faces of the enemy
And he saw the faces of his friends
And he knew that they were all the same
Just young men caught up in a war

He died in a circle of steel
With his friends all around him
And he never knew why he had to die
But he knew that he had done his best

"Circle of Steel" is a powerful and moving song that reminds us of the cost of war. It is a song that is sure to stay with you long after you hear it.