How to Build and Set Up a Fish Pond

Though setting up a pond means a lot of hard work until installing them entirely. However, the effort is rewarded when they provide a soothing moment every time you watch them. The ponds enhance the overall appearance of the garden or your yard.

There are certain factors that have to be considered while setting up a pond. The location of the pond plays a vital role in the health and overall environment of the fishes and other creatures in the pond. The most suitable location for the pond is in sunny areas where they are away from trees.

If the pond is situated under a tree the leaves may fall into them and clog up the filtration system and create a slimy mess at the bottom of the pond. You may have to take out smelly muck out of your pond, quite frequently. To avoid that prefer a place where there are no trees or you may consider covering the pond with net to prefer the leaves from falling into the water.

Another requirement is the proximity of water hose to fill the pond and electrical line to function the filters. Moreover the pond must be located from where they can be easily accessed and seen so that it enhances enjoyable and comfortable viewing and maintenance.

It is suggested by experts to set up your pond during spring, to avoid the influence of wild animals. The pond size largely depends upon the size and number of fishes that you are planning to grow in the pond. The larger the pond the better it is irrespective of the fishes in it, since you are more likely to wish it was larger in future. You may also want to decide upon the plants you prefer to grow around the water feature.

Ideally there are three different zones in a fish pond. They are marshy zone which is around the perimeter of the pond, the shallow zone and finally the deep water zone. A temperate or tropical environment requires minimum maintenance comparing to dry and arid environment where more planning is required. If you live in a colder area, the pond must be deep enough to avoid the fishes, plants and other creatures are not victimized to overexposure of extreme cold temperature.

The expense required in setting up your pond depends on the size, shape and depth of the pond. Round shaped ponds are simple and cheap. Kidney shaped ponds and other variations in the shape may cost much more and difficult to maintain as well and mostly occupy more space. Once all the details are decided upon a hole has to be dug based on proposed dimension in terms of width and depth. The pond must be deep enough for the fishes to survive through the winter. If the pond is provided with a spot that is shallower, plants can be conveniently grown there.

In terms of safety any sharp objects such as stones must be removed to avoid puncturing the liner. Before laying out the liner, a protective underlay may be placed in the pond to avoid any stones that may work their way up and damage the liner. The pond edges should be leveled in such a way where the completed pond looks even at the edges. The filter system and the pump have to be installed before adding the plants and fishes. To make the pond maintenance easier in future, an overflow pipe should be installed to allow drainage during rains.

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