How to Make Your Own Fish Food and Pond Filters

A backyard fish pond can be a very relaxing centerpiece to home landscaping. But building and maintaining the pond takes time, effort and money. One way to save money is to make some of the products yourself.

The most important thing to understand is that a fish pond is an ecosystem. The fish, plants and even the food must be in balance to keep the pond healthy. Making sure you don't overfeed the fish is just an important. Food that isn't eaten either dirties the filter or simply rots on the bottom of the pool. So the first several feedings, watch carefully to see how quickly the food is consumed.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 types of fish
  • 5 types of shellfish
  • 5 firm vegetables
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • Blender or food processor
  • Ice cube tray
  • Freezer
  • Pond pump
  • 1-inch aquarium tubing
  • 5-gallon bucket with lid
  • Drill
  • 1-inch holesaw bit
  • Silicone caulk
  • Pond filter foam mat
  • Pond filter beads
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Instructions

  1. Make Your Own Fish Food

    • 1

      Choose five types of fish, five types of shellfish and five types of firm vegetables. Fish need a variety of proteins and carbohydrates to be healthy. Almost any type of fish and shellfish is appropriate. Choose very firm vegetables with low water content, such as greens, carrots, beets or turnips. Avoid starchy vegetables, such as potatoes or yams. All of the produce should be raw.

    • 2

      Mix equal parts of the fish, shellfish and vegetables in the blender or food processor. Add the garlic. The garlic covers the fishy smell, and fish love it. Process until the pieces are about 1/4 inch in size or less.

    • 3

      Pour the mixture into ice cube trays an freeze. Once frozen, place the cubes in freezer bags. Put enough for a feeding in each bag.

    • 4

      Thaw the food before feeding the fish.

    Make Your Own Pond Filter

    • 5

      Remove the lid of the 5-gallon bucket. Drill a 1-inch hole in the lid.

    • 6

      Drill two 1-inch holes in the side of the bucket---one near the top just under the lid, the other down at the bottom of the bucket.

    • 7

      Place the filter in it's spot. Measure the distances between the filter and the pond and between the filter and the pump. Cut one piece to fit between the the filter and the pump. Cut two pieces that will run between the filter and the pond with enough extra to dangle into the pond.

    • 8

      Attach the one end of the tubing to the pump and place the other end in the lid of the bucket. Caulk the tube to the lid. Caulk the other two tubes to their holes on the side of the bucket. Drape the ends into the pool.

    • 9

      Fill the bucket with the aquarium beads. These are usually grooved beads that give healthy bacteria a place to grow. Place the aquarium foam on top. Make sure that the foam covers the beads completely so that water will be forced to go through the foam. Tuck the foam below the top hole in the side of the bucket.

    • 10

      Turn on the pump. Watch for leaks in the system. The water will filter through the mat and beads and go out through the bottom hose. A small amount of water may trickle out of the upper hose, which is now the overflow hose. If a large amount of water is pumping through the upper hose, then it is time to clean or change the filter mat.