How to build a small pond (under 200 gallons)

You've always wanted a fish pond. Only problem is you don't have a lot of available space. By following the steps outlined below you can build a pond in almost any available space.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• plastic pond form and/or rubber pond liner
• pump rated for up to 200 gallons
• water supply
• shovel and pick for hard ground
• Fish for your pond
• bricks or stones for edging
• water plants
• tap water conditioner
• sand if using only a pond form

1. Decide where your pond will be, whether you will use a pond form or build free form using pond liner, and how big the pond will be.

2. Map out on the ground the shape of the pond (remember to add additional room for sand if using a pre-fabricated pond form) using spray paint or string.

3. Start digging. And continue until the depth of the pond lies below the frost line (if fish will be over-wintering in the pond) and the width and length of the marked out space.

4. Lay liner into the hole. Or insert pond form (if using pond form make sure to add 2 or more inches of sand between the form and the edges of the hole to prevent damage to the pond form).

5. Add water, preferably with an outside water source connected by a hose. Straighten liner (if used) as pond fills to prevent as many overlaps as possible.

6. Finish edge of pond with stones or bricks and install pump or filter system.

7. Treat the water for chlorine and chloramines (drops available at store where fish are purchased).

8. Add fish.

9. Enjoy your new pond!

Tips & Warnings

• For hard ground a pick ax makes the digging go a lot faster.
• The "feeder" goldfish you can buy at almost any pet store are the best fish to start out with in a new set-up.
• May cause hours of enjoyment and pull you away from your T.V. and computer.
• May also attract small children (yours or the neighbors) to your yard.

[leapyearfish]

on 3/23/2009 this doesn't look too difficult. i'll try this once I get a house! thanks.

[sonni57]

on 3/19/2009 Good instructions on how to build a small pond.

[SuzyQ74]

on 3/14/2009 Woot...I'm not sure. I just fill the pond and then turn off the water source. When it rains too hard I use a bucket to remove water. I'm sure you could make a water fall at one edge flowing over the edge (I can see it, just can't describe it :). This year I'm working on building up the edge of the pond to allow for this situation. I almost lost the pond (fish, water and liner) during a late season tropical storm last fall. Thanks to the large rock my filter sits on it stayed put and I was able to rescue the fish.

[woot]

on 3/14/2009 Thanks. If you have a source of water going into the pond, how do you get drainage?

[DoctorSnot]

on 2/25/2009 Cool! I'm gonna try this sometime! Great Article! 5 Stars!