Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat creating a pond bush

I loved the honey hole bushes, but could not afford the price. so, I made my own and thought I would share the plans.

It cost about $30 to make. you need an 18" plastic flower pot, two coils of 100 ft 1/2 inch sprinkler system hose (black), and an 11/16 drill bit.

here is the picture of one partially completed


and one completed



I drilled the holes on the bottom row about 2.5" apart, and space the others accordingly. cut a couple out so small fish could swim in and left a couple of holes open on the top so you can attach a small brick with zip cords.

I cut the hose in length from 2 feet to 3 feet and soaked them in a hot bath tub to soften them so I could straighten them (that was a weird sentence).

Inserted the hoses and there you go. The holes held the hose so I didn't have to connect them.

Let me know if you have any questions. The minnows in my new pond swarm the bush.

Brian

I made 6 this weekend using 5 gallon buckets. I did use cement to anchor mine down. I also used 1" & 3/4". I wish I could see the pictures. great Idea about throwing them in hot water to loosen them up. I will have to look at them when I get home. I set them out Sat. afternoon and caught some nice LMB off them Sunday morning. Plan on making another dozen soon.

If you couldn't see the pictures go to http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/vv338/coachbb/ and you can see them there (i hope). Let me know if you could see them. I was amazed how quick fish started to hang on them. I am going to put three more in next week. I made the tub as hot as i could make it and let them sit in there about 10 minutes. They held their shape well after going in the lake.

Coach,

I am able to see them on my home computer. Love the design. How did you make them sink? Or did you place them while the pond was low? I would think that with that design you could just push them into the mud and create a suction effect.

I left two holes open on the top and ran a loop of zip ties through them and through a hole on a regular house brick. the brick hangs inside the base and weights it down. I tossed it out there when the pond was at its highest level and pushed it out with a stick.

One thing, you mention that the holes held the hose. You're not concerned about them coming detached? How snug are they by just stuffing them in the holes? I'm definitely doing this and the bucket ideas for my pond.

When I used the 11/16" drill bit, the hose fit in there very securely. I thought about using hot glue, but decided not to. The half in hose had and outside diameter of about 3/4". I am sure that over time the might loosen a bit, but for now they were very snug. I pushed them in about 3 inches.

Coach, I like the bush and it looks pretty darn snag free... Seems like a good addition to the stickied structure thread if it hasn't already been added.

The bush looks great ESPICALLY WITH THE KIDS BEHIND IT.

Nice work, Coach. Lot cheaper than pvc and if you do get hung, you can just hank out the 1 piece of hose.

Hi CoachB... Where did you find the planters like that at? I can't seem to find any from Lowe's or Home Depot. They have ornate decorative pots for everything lol

Try GardenRidge if you have one around you.

If you are concerned with the hose coming out of the pot you could try this:

After inserting the hoses into the pot heat the end slightly with a propane torch and flare it. It won't ever come out then unless you cut it. How deep did you sink these for minnow habitat, coach?

Great looking habitat, will work perfect without a doubt.

Sure seems to be an awful lot of folks having as much luck as we do catching fish fast on PVC after sinking.

So much talk about sanding,aging and all that, if the fish are looking for more cover, they will find your habitat improvements right away and begin to utilize it almost imediately.

Well Done!!

Another option to keep them in place would be to drill a hole opposite side of the pail and push the tubes in on one side and out on the other. That alone should keep them in place, but if adding concrete to the pail, then they would be there permanently.

The tubing on the inside of the pail may limit how many you could use - might get a little crowded?