DavidIf you are a homeowner who happens to love nature and also wants to enhance the looks of your property, you may be considering adding a pond to your property. However, while it may look and sound like a simple project where you just dig a hole in the ground and fill it with water, building a pond is actually much more complex than most people realize. Yet while being complex, it is still a very doable project for most homeowners. If you’re ready to take on the task of building your own pond, here are some steps to remember along the way.
Choose the Best Location
Above all else, make sure you choose the very best location possible for your pond. For starters, make sure it is on ground that is level and drains very well. Also, make sure the site chosen does not sit directly over underground pipes or cables, sewer lines, septic tanks, or anything else that could pose an issue regarding contamination.
Sun and Shade
When it comes to pond aeration, the amount of sun and shade your pond receives each day will make a big difference. For example, the more direct sunlight your pond is able to get on a daily basis, the more choices you will have for which types of water plants you’d like to include in your pond. To get the best results, you should put your pond in a spot that has partial shade. By doing so, you’ll have better pond aeration, since little or no shade leads to higher water temperatures that promote large amounts of algae growth and higher rates of water evaporation.
Use a Shell Liner
If you are wanting to build a smaller pond at your home that will be used primarily for decorative purposes, it is almost always best if you use a shell liner. Since liners come in many different shapes and sizes, you should be able to find one to fit your needs. Although these liners are plastic and very flexible, they are deceptively heavy to lift, so it’s best to enlist someone to help you when moving it into position.
Put Down a Layer of Sand
Once you have dug the hole for your pond and are ready to put in the shell liner, don’t do so until you have first put down a thick layer of sand, usually about three inches deep. In doing so, the sand will prevent any runoff from getting into the pool, which when this happens results in pond water that is very cloudy and dirty.
Landscape Your Pond
Once your liner is in place, you should turn your attention to landscaping your pond. Since you’ll have many different options with this, feel free to experiment with different rocks, stones, and other things you think would look cool in and around your pond. From beach pebbles to large, flat river rocks, let your imagination run wild when it comes to landscaping.
Maintain Your Pond
As mentioned earlier, pond aeration is critical to keeping your pond as healthy and beautiful as possible. To make this happen, don’t forget to do a few things on a regular basis once your pond is finished. Since you will want to maintain your pond so that it is safe for fish, animals, and plants, you should use a few types of treatment products to keep everything in great shape. Some of the most common include sludge remover, pond tint, algaecide, and barley pond cleaner, which can be used to keep your pond’s water clear and sparkling.
Now that you know exactly what’s involved with building a pond at your home, it’s time to get to work. Once you’ve got your supplies ready, enlist the aid of family members and friends to do some serious digging and lifting. Before you know it, you’ll soon have a beautiful pond you and everyone else can enjoy.