Some gardeners prefer two pumps, increasing the visual and sound effects of their aquatic garden. Water that spurts or bubbles even just six inches above the surface will cool and oxygenate the water. Many time, the fish will play in the water source as it cascades back into the pond. All water, of course, must be returned to the pond, and adding water with a hose on a hot summer day compensates for evaporation. Most gardeners, being the gardeners they are, want the beauty of plants to make the pond a true aquatic garden.
Many plants are available and conductive to water culture.
All water plants, just like their land cousins, must grow in dirt. The good news is that lilies, be they tropical or hardy, grow in gumbo clay, a ready soil in the North Texas area. Plants in clay pots sitting on the floor of the pond provide shade, a spawning area, and a hiding area for baby fish. Fish can be pets, whether indoor or out. They are a welcome addition to the outdoor pond and beautify the landscape with their darting and flashing of brilliant colors.