Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies, frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. These may be built in patio containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your backyard may be done by adding water gardens and ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and interest but also a natural and relaxing environment as well. A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal point of your backyard conversation.
Where to Put Up a Backyard Pond
Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.
Landscaping
It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.
Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.
Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.
Using Pond Liners
Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.
Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.
Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.
However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.
Pond Installation
Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.
Aesthetics
Recently, one of the most popular backyard designs is
adding a water pond or a fish pond to the yard. These
projects, however, can only be achieved in sprawling
and huge yards that has walkways and large areas.
But if you are really certain to have your own fish
pond and yet you do not have a large back yard, there
are design ideas that can be incorporated to hopefully
place your pond in it without having to take up too
much space and dominate your yard.
Let your pond serve as the focal point of your back
yard. Place it in the middle or in one corner of the
yard if you have a small space. Make it appealing to
the people walking around the house.
Location
If you wish to place it in the corner part of the
yard, raise the pond a little higher so that the fish
will seem as a surprise to the visitors. But if you
want to place it in the center, it is best if you
place the pond at ground level or a little above it.
Fish Types
Make sure that the fish you put inside are colorful
and lively to attract attention. Watching the fishes
swim around everyday can also serve to be therapeutic.
But if you want to maintain a small pond, do not place
large fishes such as the Japanese Koi. They may not
live long in this kind of environment and they are
also extremely expensive. Goldfish are compatible with
the size of your pond, however, their longevity might
not be a guaranteed in an outdoor pond.
Maintenance
Think how much you really want an outdoor pond and how
you can maintain and build it depending on your
preferences. You might find that maintaining an indoor
aquarium is difficult enough, how much more an outdoor
pond.
Consider the climate of your place. Water ponds and
fish ponds are most applicable in tropical weather
because of the advantage of the sun all year round.
Some aquatic plants need to be exposed to the sun to
grow. The plants and fishes may die if you let them
stay in the pond during winter time. it is best to
transfer them to an indoor tank if the weather is not
applicable.
A fish pond in your own backyard only tells an
individual how much energy, time, and money you are
willing to devote to the beautification of your
backyard. It does not matter how large or how small it
is, it just goes to show that you appreciate beautiful
things. You will not only impress a lot of people but
yourself as well. A back yard fish pond brings a
luxurious and relaxing feeling to the place.
In order to make your fish pond more appealing,
decorate its surroundings. Landscaping the place will
attract frogs and birds which can add to the overall
natural feeling. If you cannot afford landscaping
projects, hanging plants and flowering bushes will do.
This will produce a great ambiance to your visitors
and guests.
Having a fish pond is not a go-get-it-and-have-it
project. You have to maintain and preserve its beauty
time and again. Make sure to add water to it
periodically. It is also important that you get rid of
fallen leaves as this will cause decay and unpleasant
appearance.
Complete preparation requirements.
It is essential to clean and rinse ponds before using
it since fish and other water plants are sensitive to
contaminants. “Curing” concrete ponds combined with
water changes, scrubbing, filling, and painting with
vinegar is also important.
Allow chloramines and chlorine to dissipate especially
if you used tap water to fill the pond. One can also
utilize a commercial chlorine neutralizer from pet
shops to solve this problem.
Ensure that all equipment such as fountains,
waterfalls, filters, and lights are working
satisfactorily before adding the fish and plants.
It is also better if you allow at least one week for
the plants to settle in the pond before adding the
fish. Clean up the pond regularly for dead leaves as
this will add unwanted excess nutrients to the water
and decay it as well.
Observe proper maintenance.
A said, keep the pond clean of fallen vegetation and
dead leaves. The frequency of cleaning will depend on
the amount of vegetation falling into the water and on
the tome of the year. Do the cleaning at the beginning
of spring before the temperature of the water starts
to rise.
Feed your fish and clean up the filters periodically.
Add water in the pond periodically. A normal garden
hose will do. However, no more than 10-20% should be
added at any time because of the chlorine levels in
tap water.
Also consult your local pond professionals before
building a pond yourself. Do not hesitate to ask
questions as this will benefit the inhabitants of the
pond.