Bringing a pond into your backyard is a great idea. It will attract new wildlife and encourage an exciting ecosystem that will enthrall and interest your child. For the grown ups they are a relaxing place to unwind, listening to the gentle sounds of the water.
Many people believe that installing a pond is going to be an expensive, arduous process that is beyond their capabilities. But there are kits available that contain everything you need to make your backyard water garden a real possibility, no matter what your level of ability.
Most water garden kits will come complete with a pump, fountainhead, filter kit and a preformed liner. This will mean that you will not have to figure out the correct water volume for your filter and pump. This is the most complex calculation with pool installation.
The first thing you need to do is choose the right location for your pond. An area with too much sun can promote the growth of large amounts of algae that you will have to constantly maintain. The ideal location should have approximately four hours of sun per day, enough for the plants to receive their daily amount of photosynthesis.
Each individual kit will have its own directions on what the dimensions of the pool should be. It will also tell you if you need to line the base with sand or other materials.
A good way to map out the shape of your pond is with a garden hose. This will give you a visual picture of what the pool is going to look like before you begin. Once you know the location and dimensions of the pool, it is time to start digging.
After your pool has been dug to the recommended depth and is leveled, you will need to dig a small trench around the outside of the pond. This will be used to back fill the liner edge and keep it securely in place.
Place the liner across the pond area. Remember to leave the liner loose. Pleat the edges of the liner so they are nice and flush with the shape of the pond and then back fill the excess in the trench.
The next step is to slowly fill the liner with four inches of water. Then deposit more dirt into the trench. Keep repeating this process, being vigilant to the areas of the liner that need to be adjusted.
When the water is approximately two inches from the lip of the pond, turn off the water. Cut the excess of the liner, leaving an edge of about six inches around the entire pool. At this time you will want to install the included pump and filter. Also make sure that the trench is secure and compact.
The final step is the edging. Put your chosen rocks in place about two inches over the inside edge. This will help disguise the liner. Secure the rocks in place with mortar. Take great care not to drop any mortar into the water. If you do, then empty the pool and refill it. Mortar contains lime that is harmful to all aquatic life.
These are the basics of pond installation. Once the pool is in place the real journey can begin. Get creative putting all the plants in place. Know what to feed the fish and when to feed them. A good rule is not to add more than one fish per square foot of water. You want the inhabitants to enjoy the pond as much as you, for many years to come.
