Building a Pond - How to Build a Pond

If you're thinking of building a pond in your garden, you need to consider some things before starting the process. Building a pond is an achievable task if you follow step-by-step instructions, and make a detailed plan. Nowadays, it's a growing hobby and trend among people, as it certainly adds a significant value to the home, besides enhancing the landscape.

Pond Construction

Pre-building Considerations
For starting off with proper planning; observe various types, designs, and styles of ponds in your locality, and get a good understanding of what you actually expect from your pond. Choose a pond design and think on what all aquatic animals would you want the pond to have. After deciding on all these things, you need to purchase a pond kit that is suitable to your requirements. Any water-garden pond will include all the necessities that are required for building a pond.

Selecting a Place for the Pond
You need to select an appropriate place where you want the pond to be. Choose a place which doesn't receive direct sunlight throughout the day, or receives less amount of it. Too much sunlight will cause algae to grow in the pond, and also will dry out aquatic plants. A good idea is to select a place where you spend a lot of time. Don't decide to make a pond near a big tree, as its roots may be hard to cut, and its leaves may fall in and clutter the pond.

Marking and Measurement
Mark and measure the places where you would be digging, and the outline of the pond. You need to have a fair knowledge of the underground gas and electric lines in the yard. If you're not sure about the places of such lines, call the local utility companies and confirm the same.

Digging the Pond
For giving the pond a sturdy siding, make few tiers to it. There are more chances of a steep wall to collapse than many shorter ones. Moreover, it's useful for plants who normally grow in different depths of water. Excavate the pond at the needed level by considering the breadth and depth.

Installing the Pond Liner
After excavating the pond at a desired level, the next step would be to line it with sand and place a protective underlay. Unfold the liner in an open area, and then take help from few people to carry it to the pond. Ensure that you don't drag it on the way. This will make scratches on it or puncture it. Position the liner in the pond and ensure that it fits the corners properly.

Putting Rocks and Gravel
It is recommended to put some extra underlay on the liner and place small pieces of rock to prevent the liner from moving. The underlay prevents the liner from being damaged by the rocks. You then need to trim the liner after all rocks are placed appropriately. Add some gravel and boulders to the bottom of the pond. Doing so will certainly make the pond appear to be a natural one. You may clean the rocks if they are dirty, before putting them in the pond.

Watering the Pond
The next step would be to add water in the pond. But ensure that you don't use the normal-use water, as the city water includes chlorine and other harmful chemicals which may have an adverse affect on the aquatic flora and fauna. Use a de-chlorinating agent to clear the water from chlorine and other chemicals.

Adding Flora and Fauna
After you've de-chlorinated the pond water, plant aquatic flora. These plants would additionally sublimate the water. Wait for a minimum two weeks for the natural purification and nutrient processes to start, and then add fish.

This is how the procedure of building a pond is carried out. You may decorate the pond naturally by using your own ideas. Building a pond is just not the end, you need to take proper care of the pond by cleaning the debris from the surface, changing water periodically, and measuring the water's pH level.