How to Set Up a Fish Pond
- 1
A stretch of yarn lets you outline your proposed pond.natural yarn image by bright from Fotolia.com
Lay out the yarn on the plot of land you wish to build the pond in the proposed shape of your pond. This will provide the basic outline for when you begin digging. - 2
Spray paint a more permanent outline.spray image by Dragana Petrovic from Fotolia.com
Spray paint the outline over the yarn, making the shape of the pond more permanent. - 3
A leveler will make help you ensure the edge of the pond is nice and level.level image by Willee Cole from Fotolia.com
Start digging and removing the top soil and sod about 3 inches around the outside of the outline. When finished, place a 2-by-4 board over the width of the pond and place the leveler atop it to make sure its edge is level. - 4
Digging is the toughest part of building a pond.Digging in the garden image by dquinnan from Fotolia.com
Start digging out your pond from the center. The walls should slope at about a 30-degree angle down into the depths of the pond. You should dig about 2 inches deeper than your pond will eventually be. Toss the excess dirt off to the side and remove it later with a wheelbarrow or buckets. - 5
Sharp rocks can tear open your pond liner.rock fall image by Benjamin Jefferson from Fotolia.com
Remove any objects in the bowl that may tear the pond liner, like stray twigs or sharp rocks. Smooth out the dirt by pounding it down with the flat side of the shovel. - 6
A layer of sand will help keep water in the pond.sand image by G??nther Castanetti from Fotolia.com
Lay a 2-inch deep layer of sand down across the bottom of the pond. This will help create a more level surface and help prevent draining. - 7
A pond liner usually looks like a very strong tarp.texture image by arabesque from Fotolia.com
Lay in the pond liner. This liner is what will hold the pond water and should fit in the bowl you dug. Put the heavy decorative stones around the edge of the pond liner to hold it down. - 8
Use a standard garden hose to fill your pond.hosepipe and tap image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
Fill the pond with water using your garden hose then add in the proper amount of dechlorinator--the dosage will be labeled on the package. The dechlorinator will help remove harmful chemicals. - 9). Install a pond filter. These come from several different manufacturers and are usually free-standing units that are placed on the bottom of the pond. They use a spongy filter medium to trap debris and are plugged into a nearby power outlet. The filter should obviously be the appropriate size for your pond.
- 10
Koi are a popular choice for outdoor fish ponds.contented koi image by Geoff Hobbs from Fotolia.com
Test the water parameters using the test kit. If they are appropriate, it is safe to gradually begin adding fish.
