Simple DIY Patio Fish Pond

With Rosh HaShana coming up in less than three weeks, I am in the process of making a simple DIY patio fish pond, so that I can invite the neighbors into my courtyard to say the prayer of Tashlich, which is said over a body of water, preferably a “living” body of water, meaning ocean, lake, river, stream, brook, pond, and in my case, small patio pond! (Tashlich can also be said over a bucket of water, a running tap, a fountain, or from afar with a body of water in the distance.) Tashlich is usually said on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh HaShana, but this since this year the first day falls on Shabbos, Ashkenazim and many Sephardim customarily say the prayer on the second say of Rosh HaShana. Ah yes, and the prayer can be said during the Ten Days of Repentence, and even up to Hoshana Raba. This year I’ll be doing it on time, thanks to my little patio fish pond, can’t wait!

It is true, that the end of the summer isn’t the preferable time to put together such a pond as it will have to be moved for succot, and I’ll likely bring either the pond with fish, or just the fish, indoors when it gets cold, but sometimes you just have to seize the inspiration and get to it! I have been doing lots of research regarding how to make a simple patio fish pond that is self sustaining, meaning no need for a pump or filter, and so excited to see if I can make it happen.

Supplies For Simple DIY Patio Fish Pond:

1. a large pot with no hole in the bottom, if using wood or terra cotta you’ll need to let them sit for quite a while so that the porous material absorbs all the water and becomes less porous. My pot is 51cm in diameter, which is large enough but not too large to move when necesary. The inside color of my pot is black, which works well to disguise other items that are black like planting bags/pots, and a pump though hopefully that is not needed
2. potting soil, sand and gravel or volcanic rocks
3. large rocks, bricks etc. to prop up plants
4. driftwood (optional, but helps lower pH without need for a pump)
5. plant whose roots will live in the water with leaves above water, either houseplants that grow well hydroponically, especially peace lily, spider plant, mother in law’s tongue, pathos OR plants that love bog/pond conditions such as papyrus, canna, water hyacinth and more.
6. black mesh bags or perforated containers to hold above water plants
7. below water plants, hardy aquarium plants etc.
8. plants that float on the water, even tiny ones
9. FISH! I’m opting for guppies as they are hardy and available locally. Gold fish of some kind can be used but they are less hardy.

Simple DIY Patio Fish Pond Instructions:

1. Place 2 inches of soil at bottom, to allow for growth of underwater plants that need to be planted
2. Place 1 inch of sand over soil, this is a must!
3. Wash rocks and course gravel and place on top
4. Prepare house plants for use in pond by removing all dirt. Put under running water for initial release of dirt, then soak for a few hours. While one can use pots of plants that are in soil topped by sand in a pond, we want the roots to oxegenate the water, so we need bare roots, meaning plants grown hydropinically.
5. Place bare root plants in mesh planting bag or perforated container, and prop on bricks/rocks such that leaves are above the water
6. Plant underwater plants such that roots can reach the dirt under the sand layer (if using plant that requires this.) preferably using long tweezers.
7. Fill the container with water. If it is very dirty pour out the water and refill.
8. Let the water sit for around 5 days to dechlorinate naturally and to start the process of creating a natural environment before introducing the fish.
9. Add some tiny floating plants like duckweed, and then add the fish.
10. Do monitor water temp and acidity to make sure that the water is suitable for the fish.
11. If you are concerned that your 3 types of plants are not providing enough oxygen for the fish, then add a small pump, but ideally one should be able to sustain an environment that does not need outside assistance.

That is it! As you can see I still need underwater plants (floating plants if i can find some locally) and fish. I’ll keep you posted! And if you’d like to do something like this, but much simpler, and still tashlich friendly, how about making a simple DIY patio fountain from pots you have on hand? You can see mine in the upper left hand corner of the photo above where it will happily bring joy to all, together with the fish. That said I do plan to raise the fountain part as it is too tempting to little ones who end up toppling the head, understandably!