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Written by Jane Forrester
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Having a fish pond in your garden creates visual appeal. People
are drawn to the sound of water as it offers a feeling of
serenity and beauty; the soothing sound of water in motion from
your very own pond sets your garden alive. Gardens that contain
water features are admired by many and your fish pond can become
the focal point of your backyard. However, there are some things
that you should consider before thinking about constructing your
very own back garden fish pond.
Firstly you should consider the climate of the area in which you
live. Fish tend to hibernate at the bottom of the pond during
the winter months and they naturally stop eating when the water
temperature goes below 45 degrees. It is therefore necessary
that if the climate in your area is cold most of the time, i.e.
you experience bad winters, then you really do need to make a
deep fish pond. If you live in a location where the pond may
freeze over completely then you must ensure that a hole is
created in the ice to keep the fish alive. Additionally, if you
have aquatic plants in your pond, these should be removed and
placed indoors as they may die during the cold weather.
Another thing you should consider is the filtration system of
your pond. When water is moving, i.e. from a small waterfall or
fountain, it creates a filtration all of its own due to the
action of the flowing water. Your pond filtration depends on the
design of your system and the climate of the area in which you
live. Although you may not need a filter for your garden pond,
it is always wise to consult someone who is knowledgeable
concerning pond filtration. Many stores that provide supplies
for garden ponds stock biological and cartridge filters that you
may need and will be suitable for your particular garden pond,
you may also discuss your requirements with the staff in store
who should know and will point you in the right direction.
As with everything, when you are going to start a new project,
you really do need to educate yourself and find out about the
essentials and exactly what equipment you will need. This is
even more true when you are building a fish pond.
You will need to establish whether your garden will be able to
hold a fish pond. You will need to consider whether the climate
is compatible and whether you are prepared to regularly maintain
the fish pond when needed. You should also take into
consideration the availability of supplies such as water,
filtration and electricity and decide whether you are going to
build a large pond or a small one.
Deciding on the location of the pond in your garden is something
that should be considered wisely. You will need to place your
pond in an area where there is virtually no shade and will have
the sun shining on it. Do not place your pond underneath trees
as you will find that it will be horrendous to clean due to the
falling leaves. Placing your pond where run-off water tends to
flow will cause your pond to become murky and dirty so this is
something else that you should consider.
The average depth of a garden fish pond is usually between 18"
to 24" and you should determine the depth of your pond based on
this. Once you have made the outline of your pond, you can start
to dig it, making sure that you provide easy access to the pond
during cleaning. Taking these steps will also be ideal for
holding potted plants just above the water. Make sure also that
the bottom is leveled as you dig.
You will also need to have an appropriate pond liner. To get the
right size, take the width of your pond and add twice to it the
depth of the pond and then another 24 inches. To measure the
length is done using a similar formula. Drape the liner over the
pond, arrange it and place stones around the edges then you can
fill it up with water. As you fill the pond, fold large creases
neatly and remove all wrinkles to make it less noticeable.
Once your pond is full, place in any filters, pumps and
lightings and connect to the electrical supply. Add your plants
and fish and you are ready to go!
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