How to Build a Healthy Pond in Your Backyard

A water garden or pond makes a beautiful addition to any yard or landscape. But when setting up a pond, you can't just dig a hole and fill it with water. Planning is an important part of building a healthy pond in your back yard. A pond requires a good mix of sun and shade, and must be large enough to accommodate all its residents to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• String
• Shovel
• Pick
• Work gloves
• Pond liner
• Water hose
• Pond pump
• Pond filter
• Pond tubing
• Pond tubing clamps
• GFCI outlet
• Water treatment
• Fish
• Plants

Instructions

1. Choose a suitable location. The right location for a pond will feature a good mixture of sun and shade. Shade allows your pond to maintain a comfortable temperature for its inhabitants, while sunlight provides energy for aquatic plants.

2. Plan your pond's size. Take into account how many (if any) fish and animals you want to stock in your pond. Koi, for example, need a pond depth of at least 4 feet and a minimum length of 12 feet. Other fish and plants have their own requirements.

3. Decide on a pump and filtration system. There are many choices to make in this area. Pumps, for example, can be internal or external. An internal pump installs at the bottom of the pond. These pumps are cheaper and easier to set up than external pumps, but they won't last as long. You also need the appropriate size of pump for your pond. The proper size pump will circulate your pond's water at least once an hour. Thus, for a 60-gallon pond, you need a pump with a flow rate of at least 60 gph (gallons per hour).

   Filters also offer a wide variety of choices. One of the best devices for a healthy pond is a bio-mechanical filter. These filters have a bed inside that allows healthy bacteria to grow, but also contain charcoal and other filtering agents to trap larger debris.

4. Plan any water features, such as waterfalls and fountains. Not only do these features add relaxing sounds to your water garden, but they also keep the water aerated, which inhibits bacterial and algae growth.

5. Set up an electricity supply for your pond. You need electricity to power pumps and filters, both of which are essential for a healthy pond. Outdoor circuits should be of the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) variety. These outlets automatically cut off when a voltage leak is detected. Have a certified electrician construct one for you to provide your pond with power.

6. Start digging. Mark out the pond's boundary with chalk or stakes and twine. Dig the pond to the appropriate depth. Cut out shelves at various depths for placing aquatic plants.

7. Lay the pond liner. Set the pond liner out in the pond and weigh it down with rocks. Slowly begin filling the pond. Straighten out the liner as the pond fills.

8. Install the pump and filtration system. In general, the outlet on the filter is connected to the inlet on the pump, but this can change depending on your system. In many bio-mechanical filters, the pump is placed inside the filter.

9. Install any water features, as needed. Run flexible tubing from the pump to the fountain or waterfall.

10. Turn on the pump and allow the water to circulate. Check all your pump and filter connections and ensure that everything is working properly.

11. Add any water conditioners as needed. These are necessary to clear out chlorine or other contaminates in treated water.

12. Add your fish and plants.

Tips & Warnings

• The above steps are just a guideline. Consult with a professional pond builder or water gardener if you have any questions.

References

• Koi and Ponds: Pond Construction
• Garden Fish Pond