FISH POND - IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Location

Decide first what part of the backyard you want to your fish pond to be situated before going out and buying anything. Select an area where it is far from the trees since many aquatic plants, like lilies, need a sufficient amount of sunlight to grow.

Choose an area where there are no falling leaves that can make cleaning a nightmare. Do not place your pond on low areas since large volumes of rainwater might run off and accumulate in the pond during rainy seasons. Not to mention, these runoff water might contain fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful materials.

Place your pond in an area where it can be best appreciated and seen. The sense of building a pond is for you to enjoy it. Select a location where it can be best viewed (i.e. the sitting area or a patio in the garden).

Types of Pond

After choosing where you want your pond to be located, it is now time to select what type of pond you want. The two types of pond are the following:

ABS plastic preformed ponds are usually used for small ponds that can contain up to 250 gallons of water. This type of pond comes in a variety of sizes and shapes such as hourglass, rock gardens, and kidney. Waterfalls and formed spillways are also available.

Pond lines or liners are used for any size of pond. The sizes available for this kind of pond is 10’ x 15’ to 20’ x 25’ or larger. This can allow you to build a pond to your preferred size either by using them individually or by connecting together two or more pod liners with a special adhesive.

These pond liners are very heavy especially the large ones. They are usually made of rubber. Using pond liners can be quite a fun and creative experience since this type may allow you to decide on the shape of your pond. However, you need to be aware that a 19’ x 26’ liner will not create a pond of the same size. In choosing the proper size liner, it is imperative to know the width (W), length (L), as well as the maximum depth (MD) at their widest points. After which, use the formula L+(MD*2) by W+(MD*2).

This means that a 10 foot long by 5 foot wide by 2 foot deep pond may require a 14’ x 9’ pond liner so as to make an edge above the water level. It is important to let a professional pond developer help in determining the pond size liner you need.

Dig It

Now that you’ve decided on the location and the type of your fish pond, it is time to dig it. The average size of the pond is at least 18" deep at its deepest point. However, 24" is better. With this depth, the fishes may be allowed to stay in the pond during winter time without freezing. Inclusion of planting shelves in the design will make it easier to place emergent lilies and plants.

Filtering

After accomplishing the above tasks, it is high time for you to think about filtration. It may be better to ask your pond professional about this topic. Just keep in mind that whichever filter you choose, ensure that it is cleaned at a regular basis so that the water will remain clear. Utilizing a filter may also hinder the mosquitoes from making the pond their breeding ground.

All Set

And now, all you have to do is add your fish and you are good to go!