Don't know if this is what you had in mind, but it is similar to something I've seen before using an old fashioned gardening cloche aka bell jar (protected young plants from frost).

I have wanted to have it in a pond, but haven't wanted the cost. The method shown here would be inexpensive, especially if the jar were supported on bricks. I've read that fish seem to enjoy swimming up into it. My only concern would be if it would get too hot in sunny weather. I don't see how the water could circulate in it.

I don't see how it would protect fish from raccoons though.

Anne

Here is a link that might be useful: Fish Tower Thread

That is so cool! I want one, lol.

Here is one I just made....





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CalamityJ, So glad you joined this thread, since your post was the one I linked to. What a great idea. As soon as I find a one-gallon glass jar I'm going to make one.

Anne

Ya know..... I have been dying to make one of these ever since I saw a globe style one in a magazine- and then I came across fishloft.com..... I KNEW there had to be a way to make one myself !!!!!

Would a big fish bowl work? I have to find a stand to fit it or can you just set them on a couple of bricks or something? That is so cool.

That is really cool! To keep the inside of the glass algae-free, go to a place that sells aquariums. they have a magnetic aquarium cleaner thingy. It has a strong magnet on the outside, and a scrubby pad on the inside that sticks to the magnet thru the glass. To clean, just slide the magnet around on the outside and the scrubber cleans the algae off the glass.

Cindy, I don't know about fish towers, but I'd LOVE to have one of those for my windows!! LOL GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing it.

Brenda

you know....I never thought about it for windows! I have two skylights in my house that get algae on them and I don't like going up on the roof to clean them. I could wait until it's raining, and then use the magnetic cleaners on them!! Thanks for that idea!

Cindy

Stupid question time!

What entices the fish up into the tower? Do they just go up naturally to "check it out" or for the view, or what? I think it is an awesome idea and will be trying to add one myself I think!

Derrick,

I've wondered the same thing, so of course it isn't a stupid question. hahaha... Can't help but wonder what goes through a fish's mind.

I like the fishbowl idea that fool4flowers mentioned I wonder if you could also use an aquarium. A 10 gal aquarium would certainly give bigger fish room to view the world.

Anne

I think I remember once seeing a commercial fish "bubble" online that came with a video on how to train your fish and also a "feeder" stick that allowed you to release floating fish food up into the globe.

Sherry

Floating some pellets up into it would probably work once they realized there was food up there. Combined with their natural curiosity (they all gather around my hands/feet/whatever when I am working on the pond, I suspect it is just looking for food!) would probably be enough to make it work. Would definitely need to come up with a way that it couldn't get blown/knocked over. And have to come up with a way to get food up there....have to give it a try over the weekend and see what I can come up with. I have a large, unused fish bowl, as well as a couple of very large pickling jars, so I will see which works better and try it!

I'm dying to try it too. I've searched the ranch and no Bowling Ball Stands around here. I've decided to try an upside down tomatoe cage and bend and wire prongs to the big pickle jar mouth. I have one largeish Koi that will probably try knocking it over so it needs more than standing on bricks. If I put it close to where I feed and put a few floating pellets inside maybe I'll get lucky. Calamity, how long did it take for your fish to explore inside? I've got 4 more weeks for broken bones to mend but I can't wait - I want to do it this weekend with Hubby's help. Anybody else have ideas for a stand? Kathy

How about a candle stand that the globes sit on? I wanted to measure the big fish bowl and look around at walmart for even a small plant stand that would fit the opening but I forgot. Had a rough weekend.

I want to try that idea for decorating like for a indoor/outdoor center piece or something with small fish and plants to go around the jar. I can't wait to try that tower idea.

Thanks for sharing it.

An electric fence or a "Scarecrow" motion-detecting sprinkler might be a better defense against Raccoons. Predators will simply wait until the fish comes around to where they can reach it.

Here's a link to an earlier post with a fish tank, large jar and a tote for ideas. This is my first link so I hope it works.

Here is a link that might be useful: fish towers are fun