Tropical Fish Hobbyist - October 2010

Multi-Function Aquarium Maintenance Device
Available
with 80,
160, and 235
GPH flow rates.
For tanks
from 20
Gallons up to
60 Gallons.
Contains all
these amazing
features in one
hang-in-the-tank unit
...Only One Power Plug
...Mechanical Filter
...Biological Filter

Tropical lilies are particularly vexing to successfully store. Once the foliage dies off, look for corms in the planting pot. Unlike their hardier cousins, tropical water lilies do not have the thick rhizome to protect them during dormancy. These acorn-like corms can be placed in an aquarium or bucket at 55° to 65°F, or placed wet in peat moss in a fish bag at the same temperatures. I have discovered that keeping the corms at 70°F or higher signals them to grow, but then they do not do as well growth-wise when I place them outdoors in the late spring.

Viviparous tropical water lilies (ones that produce seeds that germinate before they detach from the plant) will bloom into the fall months but produce no corms. These can be placed, pot and all, or re-potted to a smaller pot and pruned, in an aquarium from 60° to 70°F with good lighting. You may have to prune the leaves from time to time, but they do look nice in the aquarium over the winter!

What About the Tubs?

Phew. That takes care of the plants for the winter—but your job is not done yet. You now must focus your attention to the tub ponds themselves.

Many of us tubbers, in lieu of a traditional dug-in liner or pre-formed ponds, go more compact and utilize anything that holds water of 20 gallons and up. Popular tub ponds include economical, round laundry-style plastic tubs, agricultural stock tanks, and the aforementioned pre-formed rigid plastic ponds that are simply left free-standing.

Traditional dug-in ponds have natural protection from the freezing, thawing, and expansion cycle of winter because they are hugged and protected by the earth around them and use modern materials that won’t crack or split (at least not for many years). Not so for most tub ponds.

Standard round plastic utility bins tend to be made from brittle plastic (brands vary). Freezing temperatures can cause them to break from a fallen branch or a good kick from their hobbyist’s clumsiness. If they fill with water and freeze, the resulting ice expands and often misshapes or cracks a plastic bucket or tub.

Even if you keep them from filling with icy water and avoid bumping into them, I have found that a season or two of freezing temperatures can weaken the plastic, making it more brittle and shortening its useful life. I store my discount tubs in my shed and garage until next spring. Doing this, my oldest discount tub just finished its seventeenth year of service.

Next step up in quality are the pre-formed plastic tub ponds sold at specialty, garden center, and home improvement stores. These are made with black plastic and are much more resistant to the elements and do not get as brittle over time. I can store these outside, but under my deck and under a patio table (which is covered). I have had my oldest pre-formed pond for 13 years now. Northernmost hobbyists may also opt to bring these inside.

Last we have the agricultural stock tanks—the “Terminators” of the fish tub world. These rough tubs are designed for farm use year-round and show it. Ice has no disastrous effect here with the name brands I use—wet ’em and forget ’em. The 70-gallon and larger sizes I use function in winter to store my hardy water lilies, iris, cattails, and pickerel submerged under the ice.

What about the outdoor summer fishroom? Don’t tempt fate here. Bring any glass tanks inside to prevent ice expansion and cracking, and deterioration of the silicon seals along the joints.