Pond Building – A Starter Pond
Building a pond can be very rewarding, but it can be quite a challenge. One of the best ways to prepare yourself for your pond making project is to create a simple starter pond. In this guide we’ll show you how to set up a pond in the span of a day.
You read that right. Only one day.
Why build a starter pond?
People who build their first pond usually haven’t a clue as to how to go about it. They don’t know what tools to buy, what size they’re going to pond and what equipment they’ll need to install. A starter pond walks you through the basics, allowing you to get accustomed to the needs and requirements of pond building.
How big is a starter pond? Basically, you need to keep it small enough so that if problems arise, the effect is minimal. After all, it is your first pond. The chances are that anything could go wrong. Apart from that, it’s entirely up to you how big you want your starter pond to be.
Preparations
In any building project, you need to prepare your tools and materials. Now, this isn’t as complex as building, say, a house where you need tons of equipment. You don’t need much to get started but there are certain implements that you absolutely must have.
Obviously, you can’t make a pond without digging a hole first. So the first thing you should do is get some digging tools. Dig a hole to the desired size. Make sure that the hole matches the size of your liner, especially if you’re going to use a preformed pond shell.
For a rigid pond shell, make sure that the hole matches its size and shape. If you don’t want to use a pre-made shell, you can use flexible liner instead. Canvas is a good choice, although you should take a look at other available materials.
It will help you a lot if you mark the location of your pond before you start digging. You can do this easily with a garden hose or a few cans of spray paint. Indicate the size and shape of your starter pond on the ground so you know exactly where to dig.
Pond water gets dirty and unless you want to clean it yourself, you’ll need to install a water pump and filter in your pond. Keep in mind that these are electrical; you should put up a power source nearby. Choose a spot that’s hidden or easily camouflaged so that your equipment blends into your pond’s aesthetics.
How to Build It
To sum things up, these are the steps in making your one-day pond.
1. Create a plan.
2. “Draw” your pond’s shape with spray point or garden hose.
3. Dig the desired depth and shape of your pond.
4. Line the pond with either flexible pond liner or a pre-molded pond shell.
5. Install the filtration system; pump, filter, tubes and all.
6. Fill up the pond with water from the tap.
7. Activate the filtration system by plugging it into a nearby power source.
And you’re done! It may not be the most beautiful pond, but it’s a pond nonetheless. To make it look more like a completed pond, you can add some plants and, if you want to risk it, fish. Just keep in mind that this is meant as practice for when you make your real pond-making project.
Want to find out more about Pond Building, then visit Michael W.’s site on how to build the best outdoor pond for your needs and dreams.
Tags: backyard design, backyard ideas, backyard pond, building a pond, fish pond, garden, gardening, hobby, outdoor pond, pond, pond building, pond design, water garden, water gardening
 Print This Post
|