Sunday, November 22, 2009

Build An Outdoor Pond In Just One Day

By Michael Wezsky

Before you start your own backyard pond, it's best to get used to building one first. Don't worry if it sounds difficult - this outline will have you building and finishing a pond in just one day.

That's right. One day.

Learning the Basics with a Starter Pond

You're probably thinking, "What is a starter pond?" Put simply, it's a trial pond project that allows you to get used to building a pond. This is especially helpful to first time pond builders who haven't a clue as to what kind of pond to build and what they need to build it.

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

There's a whole bunch of things that you'll need for your starter pond. Although this isn't as big as some other construction projects, there are some things 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.

Pond liner is a great alternative to pre-made shells. Canvas is usually sufficient for a starter pond. But if you like, go out and browse through the different types of liners available in stores.

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 pumps and filters are a must for any home pond. A filtration system keeps your pond water clean, saving you a lot of maintenance work. Just remember that the equipment needs electricity. You may need to install a power source near your pond, preferably somewhere out of sight so it doesn't disturb the look of your pond.

Step-by-step Guide to building your starter pond

This is an outline of the pond building process:

1. Make a plan for the pond.

2. Mark your pond's shape with a garden hose or spray paint.

3. Dig the desired depth and shape of your pond.

4. Put in the pre-made pond shell or pond liner.

5. Set up the pump, filter and tubing for the water cycling system.

6. Fill the pond with water.

7. Plug the pump and filter to the nearest power source.

And that's all there is to it! Don't expect anything fancy though, this is just a starter pond after all. If you want to make it look good, go ahead and add plants and fish. But remember that this is just practice for making your real, full-blown pond project.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment