How to Make an Aquarium Pool

Homeowners often look to their backyard pools as an inspiration to create large-scale aquariums. Despite what many would think of this be an irreversible process, turning your pool into a large-scale aquarium can be done with some determination, handwork and knowledge. Despite these challenges, your own backyard aquarium can be a unmatched experience that can reap plenty of visual rewards.

Things You'll Need

  • Chlorine test kit
  • Fishing Pole
  • Fishing net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Halt all cleanups of your pool by unplugging any cleaning machines and stop putting chemical agents in your pool. Let your pool stay in this shape for one month when your pool's water will be de-chlorinated and resemble pond water. De-chlorination will happen naturally because, as a chemical molecule, the chlorine will break up over time. Test your pool's chlorine level with your test kit until it is under 1/1000 (or you could test any local pond water and match that value).

    • 2

      Catch local bait fish (bluegills, sunfish, perch) at a nearby freshwater body (be sure you're fishing in a catch and keep pond, not a catch and release pond) and introduce them to your pool. The largest problem your pool faces in this process is becoming overwhelmed by debris and mosquito larvae, which is required for the bait fish. By introducing these bait fish in your pool, they will thrive by consuming the mosquito larvae and in the process create a natural balanced ecosystem.

    • 3

      Monitor your pool until you no longer see large masses of mosquito larvae on your pool's surface. Your next step is to catch catfish and introduce them into your pool to clean up debris along your pool's bottom that has accumulated from your bait fish feces. As for substrate along your pool's bottom, you can add a entire range of substrates from sand to mud to pebbles since the pool won't need to be filtered. Adding rooted aquatic plants purchased from your local pet shop can also enhance the look of the pool.

    • 4

      Introduce catfish and bait fish regularly until your pool is able to establish a natural balance with debris, mosquito larvae and fish feces. Once this is achieved, your pool is ready for other freshwater fish which you would like to introduce into your pool. To reverse this entire process and return your pool into a swimming pool, simply drain your pool until your only have a small amount of water left where you can capture your fish with a net. After your fish are removed, reintroduce chlorine into your pool. As time goes on, your pool will return to its original state within a week.