Ponds vs. Aquariums

Much as we love ponds and the entire process of designing and building them to beautify back and front yards, and provide a habitat for a delightful variety of fish and amphibian species, we also have to admit they are not for everybody. They are not even really for all fish and amphibian enthusiasts. Indeed, there are a number of people out there who went all in for ponds, only to later realize they would have been just as happy, and a bit less stressed out, if they had purchased salt or freshwater aquariums instead.

So, before you decide to start the process of building and then populating your ponds, consider whether an aquarium might bring you the same pleasure with significantly less work and possibly less expense as well. We're not saying that aquariums are any kind of substitute for ponds or, for that matter, that freshwater ponds are any kind of substitute for salt or freshwater aquariums. It's just important for you to realize which of these is for you.

You might want to start by asking yourself two big questions...

How much time and/or money do I have?

This is crucial. There's not much out there that's much sadder than a half-finished pond in a poorly kept up back or (worse) front yard. People often feel ambitious at the start of a do-it-yourself pond, but as the amount of labor involved begins to sink in, they start to find excuses for not finishing it. Even if a lack of interest isn't at fault, people who work long hours and have a number of obligations may legitimately not have the time to engage in this kind of major DIY project, even if they thoroughly enjoy this kind of work. It's important to be honest with yourself on this score. Be sure you are ready and able to finish it. An aquarium would be significantly less time consuming to assemble and care for.

Of course, some fairly fortunate people may have more money than time, and they can often afford to have a gorgeous pond built for them. Sometimes, however, people who might be a little less wealthy may at first tend to underestimate the cost and overestimate their finances. You don't want to wind up carrying credit card debt for a decade to pay for your pond, no matter how striking it looks and no matter how much you love your watery friends. Assuming your aquarium isn't enormous, it will almost certainly be cheaper.

Which do I like the most, really?

If you're the kind of person who can always see a million sides to every issue, this can be a tough one, but do your best. It's actually a simple question, at least in theory: Which make me happier, beautiful ponds in my yard or amazing looking salt and freshwater aquariums? Assuming you have no issues with time or money, your answer is right there. Just be honest about it.

Continue to: Adding Plants to Your Pond