how do you build a small fish pond

by Mr. Fredy Ledner II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Constructing a Small Fish Pond in the Garden

Step 1: Selection of Site Select a site which gets full sunlight for about three to four hours a day. ...
Step 2: Tools and Equipment Required Tools and equipment required: ...
Step 3: Pond Liner ...
Step 4: Collect Pebbles and Stones ...
Step 5: Collect Water Plants ...
Step 6: Get Fish ...
Step 7: Clean and Mark the Area ...
Step 8: Excavate the Pond ...

To make a backyard fish pond, start by digging a hole that's around 3-5 feet deep. If you plan on keeping fish in your pond, make sure it's at least 4 feet deep. Then, have a pump and bottom drain installed in the pond, which will oxygenate the water and keep it clean.

Full Answer

How do you make a homemade fish pond?

Check the pH of the pond. ...
The water should be clear and at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Float the bag with the fish in it in the pond water for half an hour or so. ...
Wait until the bag water and pond water are within 15 degrees of one another.
Gradually introduce pond water into the bag of fish. ...

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How do you build an indoor fish pond?

Low Cost Indoor Pond

Initial Design. Decide where you will put your pond, and how big you want it to be. ...
Supplies. It includes a pump and a mechanical filter, 3 underwater lights, 12'X 9' pond liner, a little fish that spits water, and 3 different fountain heads.
Initial Construction. ...
Putting It in Place. ...
Filling and Checking for Leaks. ...
Making It Look Nice. ...

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How to make a backyard fish pond?

How To Build A Pond

Choose the Location. Location is really important for ponds. ...
Plan Everything Out. Any existing water on your property must be cleared with the appropriate authorities before any changes may be made.
Dig! Now that you have everything else sorted out, it’s time for the project itself. ...
Fill it Up. ...

How to build a pond in your backyard for fishing?

Steps of Building A Pond:

Site Location: Decide the site where you want to build the fishing pond. ...
Get Government Approval: The final and the most important point before stocking or building the fishing pond is the local State or government approval. ...
Digging: Now hire the excavator operators and start digging the area of the fishing pond. ...

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How deep does a small pond need to be for fish?

Decide on Pond Size A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater. Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid. Ponds built for koi should be 3 feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.

How do I build a small fish pond in my backyard?

0:2511:56How To Build a Backyard Pond - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor your new water feature. Use a garden hose and brightly colored spray paint to layout the desiredMoreFor your new water feature. Use a garden hose and brightly colored spray paint to layout the desired shape on the ground keeping in mind that near regular shape will look more natural.

What is the smallest size pond for fish?

The pond should be at least 1 acre in size. Smaller ponds can work, but pose some difficulties in managing the fish population. Fish ponds should be at least 6 feet deep, but no more than 12 to 15 feet deep.

What do I need for a small fish pond?

What you needPond Liner or Preformed rigid pond (we will be looking at use of pond liners here)Digging tools.Hosepipe.Pond Filter.Pond Pump.Pond Plants.Fish.Stone edging (or alternative edging desired)More items...•

How do I keep my pond water clear?

For starters, follow our 7 tips below to help keep your pond water clean!Maintain a healthy fish population. ... Don't over-feed your fish. ... Create a proper balance of plants. ... Choose the right size pump for your pond. ... Clean debris from pond before it has a chance to decay. ... Choose proper filtration for your pond.More items...•

Can you make a pond without a liner?

There are several options for constructing a new pond without a liner or cement shell. The easiest is to excavate the pond into the local water table and use the ground water. However, for this to work well you must live in an area with a fairly stable high water table.

Can you put fish straight into a pond?

You should wait at least 72 hours before putting fish in your new pond. Even if only the water is new. This way the water temperature and chemistry can level out. Drastic changes in either can have a serious impact on the health of your fish.

Can you keep fish in a mini pond?

Keeping fish in a small pond is possible, however, there are a few points to bear in mind. If the pond should freeze in winter, fish can not live through. This requires that the depth of the pond should be at least 28 inches. Pond heating would be a solution then.

How deep does a pond have to be to not freeze?

18 inches deepAs a rule of thumb, ponds need to be at least 18 inches deep, ideally 24 inches or more, to overwinter fish. If you have larger fish like koi or live in an area with severe winters, your pond may need to be even deeper (48 to 60 inches) to avoid freezing.

Can fish live in a pond without a pump?

Without a pump, not only is the water not being filtered, but the healthy bacteria in your pond can deplete. If your pump is faulty during the winter, it is likely that your fish will survive for a while because they are hibernating. They will produce less waste; use less oxygen and they will have a lower metabolism.

Does a small fish pond need a pump?

If you are planning on habiting fish in your small pond, it could be crucial that you install a pump and suitable filter system. The pump and filter not only help filter their excrement from the water but also helps keep the pond oxygenated at the correct levels for them to survive.

How do I keep my pond clean naturally?

At a Glance: How to Keep Pond Water ClearUnderstand that a little bit of algae or discoloration is normal.Use beneficial bacteria to starve single-cell algae that turns water green.Add a wide variety of aquatic plants to starve string algae.Add a larger biofilter.Don't overfeed your fish.Don't overcrowd your fish.More items...

How deep should a backyard pond be?

It's recommended that garden ponds be at least 2 feet in depth to make sure there is enough water volume to avoid this issue. If you live in a cold climate where the pond may freeze go even deeper, try 3 feet. The depth of koi ponds should be 3 feet on average because the fish will need extra space to swim and grow.

What do you need to make a fish pond?

Anatomy of a PondWater agitator: Keeps water oxygenated. ... Filter: Cleans the water coming from the pump.Liner: Prevents water from leaking into the ground.Underlayment: Protects the liner from punctures and stretching during installation.Pump: Circulates water through the filter and up to the waterfall or fountain.More items...

How do I set up a fish pond?

Build your pond in successive steps:clear all vegetation, rocks, etc. ... remove the top soil and keep it aside.mark the limits of the inside banks at ground level.mark the limits of the inside banks at bottom level.dig inside these last limits by layers of 20 cm (upper end) to 30 cm (lower end)More items...

How do you build a small waterfall pond?

0:271:54How to Build a Pond with a Waterfall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBegin digging the body of the pond. For the waterfall use sturdy blocks in dirt to build theMoreBegin digging the body of the pond. For the waterfall use sturdy blocks in dirt to build the elevation. Each course should cascade effortlessly and continuously from one tier to the next.

Why build a fish pond in your backyard?

Making a backyard fish pond will not only give you hours of enjoyment, it will also increase the value of your house. Pond construction is the most important part of the pond owning experience. By installing state of the art products that do the job they are designed to do your end result will be a backyard fish pond that you love and enjoy.

How deep should a pond be for fish?

How deep should it be? If you are going to keep fish in your backyard pond it must be at least 4 feet (1.2 m) deep. Waterlilies do their best in 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) of water. The deepest end of the pond is where you place the bottom drain and that should be located furthest away from the water return.

What kind of liner do I need for a pond?

The object is for the liner to last 20 years. The best liner you can get to last is the 45 mil EPDM liner material.

How to measure a pond liner?

To get the correct measurement for your liner-- Drop a piece of string 18” from the edge of the pond where the water will crest. Drop the string along the hole at the widest part, allowing it to follow the curves of the hole then mark the string 18” from the opposite edge. Now measure your string.

How big of a pump do I need for a pond?

Do I need a pump? You need a pump to recirculate all the water in the pond at least twice an hour. This will maintain optimal hygiene and oxygenation. Here is a guide for the size you will need. 1 1/2” for ponds up to 1,500 gallons (5,678.1 L) then graduate to 2” for ponds over 1,500 gallons (5,678.1 L). 3” and 4” must be considered for ponds over 2,500 gallons (9,463.5 L). Whenever possible use PVC. It is cheaper than flex hose and easy to install. Remember, this needs to be bought and installed before putting down your liner.

What is informal pond?

Formal ponds are usually squares, rectangles, and exact circles. An informal pond is more like a natural pond where it follows the ground's natural lines and has no definite shape. Any shape you choose should allow for good water circulation. The best water flow is from rounded edges, not corners.

Why is it important to maintain a pond?

The bigger the better. The more water it will hold the more plants and fish it will support which means less effort on your part in keeping it looking good. You will need to maintain your pond so that it does not become overgrown. Plants and fish multiply quickly.

How big should a pond be for 10 fish?

For instance, if you plan to add 10 fish that are each 5 inches (13 cm) in length, the pond should be at least 50 square feet (4.6 m 2 ).

How to get a permit for a fishing pond?

Check local, state, or federal requirements for fishing ponds. Contact your local building department and ask how far the pond must be from property lines. Afterward, contact the local environmental department and ask about relevant regulations. Depending on where you live and the size of your pond, you might need to obtain a permit. For example, in Idaho, you need a Private Fish Pond Permit, which is free but must be renewed every 5 years.

What should the GPH be for a pond pump?

For example, if your pond is 225 square feet (21 square meters), the GPH should be at least 225. You can also control water flow using the nozzles provided with your pump.

How to keep ponds cool?

Select a pond location exposed to equal amounts of sunlight and shade. Ponds should be placed in a region that is exposed to sunlight during the morning and shade in the afternoon. This will keep the water temperature cool and prevent algae blooms. Avoid placing your pond under trees.

What to do if you cover a hole in a fish tank?

If you're covering the hole, use something that is nontoxic to fish or they will die.

When to use bubbler for fish?

Use a bubbler in wintertime or the fish will die.

Can you put a pond under a tree?

Avoid placing your pond under trees. Although this is great for shade, it will quickly clog the pond with seeds, leaves, or needles. Always factor in young trees growing nearby and estimate where their branches will grow.

How big should a pond be?from gardeningknowhow.com

Decide how big your pond will be – When building small ponds, the ponds will need to be at least 2 feet (0.5 m.) deep. How wide it will be depends on the space you have in your garden. At a minimum, a miniature pond should be 3 feet (a little under 1 m.) across, but 4 feet (a bit over 1 m.) or more would be better. 3.

How to keep a miniature pond clean?from gardeningknowhow.com

This will help to keep the pond healthy and clean. Avoid placing the pond where runoff from rain will run into the water. This may wash debris in and a miniature pond simply will not be able to function correctly with too much foreign matter.

How to keep water plants in a pond?from gardeningknowhow.com

Dig your pond – If you plan on keeping water plants in your miniature pond, dig down 1 foot (0.5 m.) and then start digging down the rest of the way 1 foot away (0.5 m.) from the edge of the pond. This will create a shelf to place your water plants . 4. Line the pond – You can line small backyard ponds with any thick, pliable, waterproof plastic.

How to get rid of chlorine in pond?from gardeningknowhow.com

6. Fill with water – Fill the pond with water and turn on the filter or fountain, if you are using it. Allow the pond to sit for one week before adding fish or plants. This will allow the chlorine in the water to evaporate.

Can you use goldfish in a pond?from gardeningknowhow.com

You can use goldfish from your local pet store . The fish will grow to fit the size of the pond very quickly. 8. Enjoy! – Sit back and enjoy your miniature garden pond. Now that you know how to build a small pond, you can add one of these lovely features to your own backyard.

Can you use native plants in a pond?from gardeningknowhow.com

NOTE: The use of native plants in a home water garden (referred to as wild harvesting) can be risky if you have fish in your pond, as most natural water features are host to a plethora of parasites. Any plants taken from a natural water source should be quarantined overnight in a strong solution of potassium permanganate to kill any parasites prior to introducing them into your pond. That being said, it is always best to obtain water garden plants from a reputable nursery.

How to add fish to a pond?from wikihow.com

Acclimatize your fish to the new water before putting them into the pond. Do this by putting them into a tub or bucket with their original water, then gradually adding your pond water until they are breathing almost pure pond water.

Why build a fish pond in your backyard?from wikihow.com

What should the GPH be for a pond pump?from wikihow.com

For example, if your pond is 225 square feet (21 square meters), the GPH should be at least 225. You can also control water flow using the nozzles provided with your pump.

What kind of liner do I need for a pond?from wikihow.com

The object is for the liner to last 20 years. The best liner you can get to last is the 45 mil EPDM liner material.

How to measure a pond liner?from wikihow.com

How to clean a pond of debris?from wikihow.com

Clean the water of debris every week. Use a leaf skimmer to remove debris from the surface of the water—just don't go completely under the water with your skimmer. For leaves at the bottom of the pond, use a leaf vacuum.

How to get a permit for a fishing pond?from wikihow.com

How to make a pond habitat?from wildlifetrusts.org

Place stones, logs and plants around the edges to create habitats for pond-visiting creatures. Consider adding a plank of wood to help any wildlife that might fall in. If plants are well chosen, and the pond is kept in a relatively balanced ecological state, it shouldn’t need much maintenance at all.

Who should prepare pond plans?from aces.edu

While the local Soil and Water Conservation District and the NRCS professionals may provide input and some review of pond construction plans, private consultants and construction engineers should prepare the plans and specifications. Of course, the final responsibility of ensuring that the job is constructed according to plans and specifications is the owner’s.

How does a dam spillway work?from aces.edu

The principal spillway through the dam designed to control runoff from routine rainfall has several key components. The most common design is a standpipe with a barrel through the base of the dam. This system has the advantage of allowing control of the water height for repair or complete restoration by opening a valve at the bottom of the standpipe. Previously, NRCS recommended installing an antiseep collar around the barrel to ensure that water from the pond does not leak between the outside surface of the barrel pipe and the earthﬁll of the dam (figure 7).

What should be included in a dam plan?from aces.edu

Before contracting, have a set of plans and specifications prepared. The plans should show all elevations and dimensions of the dam and emergency spillway; the dimensions and extent of the cutoff trench and other areas requiring backfill; and the location, dimensions, and elevations of the principal spillway, bank contours, and other planned structures . The plan should also include a list of the quantity and kind of building materials required.

How to compaction earthfill around barrel pipe?from aces.edu

Good compaction of the earthfill around the barrel pipe is extremely important. The fill should be compacted using manually directed power tampers to ensure good compaction against the pipe. Manual compaction should continue around the barrel pipe until at least 2 feet of material is over the pipe. Extreme care should be taken with the compaction around the barrel pipe since this area is often the weakest portion of the earthfill and where the majority of dams fail.

What is the best way to compact soil?from aces.edu

Good compaction requires that the soil be moist and the compactors and rollers be adequate. The dam must be built gradually in thin layers (6 to 8 inches), and heavy equipment and/or sheepsfoot rollers should be used to ensure that the soil receives adequate compacting effort (figure 16). The moisture content of the soil must be monitored. Soil that is either too dry or too wet will not properly compact, regardless of the compacting effort.

Why are koi ponds so popular?from epicaquarium.com

Koi ponds are great for gardeners who enjoy creating beautiful landscapes that also provide relaxing places for friends and family to sit around on hot summer days. Adding water features like this is an inexpensive way to make your yard look more impressive without spending too much money or taking up too much space.

How to get more fish in a pond?from wikihow.com

Catch some fish from a local pond. Get several pond fish to start. Try to get more than 1 species, and more than 1 of each species. This ensures that your pond has diversity and your fish can reproduce and make more fish. If you're planning to eat your fish, make sure they're an edible species. Include cleaners such as crawdads (crayfish) to keep the bottom of the tank clean and make sure they have plenty of rocks to hide under.

What to stock a pond with?from wikihow.com

Don't forget to stock your pond with an abundance of Water Garden Plants and a variety of fish.

How to keep pond water clean?from wikihow.com

The bead filter traps sand and debris while housing the good bacteria which is so important for the health of your pond and fish. The UV Clarifier is to get rid of the algae blooms and it enables you to have clear water. Another way to reduce algae and keep the water clean is to use gravel and rocks in the pond.

What kind of liner do I need for a pond?from wikihow.com

The object is for the liner to last 20 years. The best liner you can get to last is the 45 mil EPDM liner material.

How deep should a goldfish pond be?from pond.com

Where goldfish are concerned, a goldfish pond only needs to be about 2 feet deep. However, one must make accommodations for winter when the water will freeze. The colder one's region, the more depth will be required to ensure that the water does not freeze completely in the winter. In zone 5 or colder, a pond should be at least 3 feet deep ...

What is a waterfall pool?from homestratosphere.com

A wide waterfall cascades into the main pool. A small, shallow blue pool of water at the bottom of a cascade of stones. Water trickles down through the stones, creating the crystal clear pool at the bottom. A beautiful backyard pond on a secluded lot.

Why do koi like to move around?from pond.com

Koi like room to move around so it's generally better to make it deeper than this, if possible. There are other reasons to make it deeper besides accommodating the fish. Larger fish ponds obviously have more water and, though it may seem somewhat backwards, are easier to maintain than a smaller one.

Step 1: Choose the right location for your pond

Find an area of the garden that can accommodate the size of your desired pond. A preformed pond shell should be light enough to move around the garden while searching for the best location. If the shape’s outline is irregular, test for the best fit by playing with different orientations.

Step 2: Use stakes or poles to mark the desired area for the pond

Once you’ve determined the exact location and orientation of the pond, you can use upright stakes, poles, or sticks to mark its edges. This is a fairly foolproof way of staying true to the preformed shell’s surface area. If the shell’s edges are irregular or are overhanging, the stakes should be taller than the height of the shell.

Step 3: Create an accurate outline with sand or spray paint

Now that the stakes firmly mark the circumference of the preformed shell, you can create a linear outline for the pond. This should clearly mark the outermost edge, along with any narrower levels of the shell. The resulting outline should be a fairly accurate 2-dimensional depiction of all concentric features of the shell.

Step 4: Double-check pond dimensions and prepare to dig

You can use a tape measure to double-check the pond outline’s dimensions. Before digging, you will need to establish the required depth of the hole, along with the depth of each level. Use a tape measure to vertically measure each level, along with the overall height, of the preformed shell. Add 2 – 3 inches to the depth of each level.

Step 5: Begin digging outward from the center of the outline

Once you have obtained the necessary depth measurements, you can begin digging! Use a sturdy garden shovel and a wheelbarrow to remove soil from the center of the outline. If you dig from the edge and move to the center, you will unfortunately lose the sand/paint markings for the concentric levels.

Step 6: Continue digging towards the outermost edge

Keep in mind that the pond hole should have a depth allowance of 3 inches and a surface area allowance of 2 inches. This likewise applies to each shelf level. Once you have dug out the inner/deeper sections, you can begin breaking up the soil along the outermost edges. Remember to remove any substrates that fall into the base of the hole.

Step 9: Line the bottom of each depth level with wet sand

Once all bottom surfaces have been levelled, line each with a layer of sand. The sand makes for a nice sturdy base to support the preformed shell. It also creates a smoother and more evenly solid surface. If your hole’s depth allowance is 3 inches, it follows that the layer of sand should be 3 inches thick.

How to make a koi pond?

Building your own koi fish pond in your garden can sound like a difficult task, however, with a bit of planning and patience, it won't take too long at all! Plan out the size and depth of the pond first, and then dig the hole and line it with a pond liner. Install all of the necessary equipment such as a filtration system and an aerator to keep the koi happy and healthy.

How do I install a filtration system for a koi pond?

Set up the filtration system box right next to the koi pond. Dig it into the ground slightly. Install the individual parts in the pond as per the installation directions.

What is the best replacement for a pond heater?

A pond aerator is an ideal and economical substitute for a pond heater. The size of the pond aerator that you need depends on the size of your koi pond. Know the volume, shape, and depth of your koi pond before you purchase an aerator and choose one that is designed for the size of your koi pond.

How long should I let koi pond water float?

Keep the koi in the water and in the plastic bag that they were purchased in. Float the plastic bag in your koi pond for 30 minutes so that they can adjust to the temperature change. Then add a bit of pond water into the plastic bag, tie it up, and let it float for an additional 30 minutes to help the koi adjust to the pond water.

How many fish can a koi pond hold?

This is an ideal and popular size for a backyard, hobby koi fish pond. A pond of this size generally holds 10 mature fish, giving them enough space to thrive and for the pond to not look overcrowded.

How to get rid of chlorine in koi pond?

1. Fill the pond with water. Use a garden hose to fill up the koi fish pond. If the water isn't fresh or spring water, use a dechlorinator, a carbon charcoal filter, or a water conditioner to remove the chlorine. You can purchase these chlorine treatments from pond or fish supply stores.

How to keep koi healthy?

Ensure the pH of the water remains between 7 and 8.6. Use a water testing kit to test if the pH and dissolved nutrients are at the right levels for the fish. Adjust the parameters of the water if the testing kit shows that it is necessary. This helps the koi to stay happy and healthy.

How to view a goldfish pond?from dengarden.com

You may want to view the pond from your home through a window or from your porch. Consider how much sun your pond will get. It should get sun for several hours or half the day. Ponds in warmer climates may benefit from shade spots to provide cooler cover for your goldfish in the summer heat.

How deep should a pond be in winter?from dengarden.com

To start, remember that ponds in cooler temperatures need to include areas where the water is at least two feet deep so the pond will not freeze up. The fish will survive extremely cold temperatures but they swim to the bottom in winter where temperatures are much warmer so do be sure you allow for that in your plans.

How to tell if a koi fish is a goldfish?from dengarden.com

It is very hard to tell the difference between these two fish when they are small. The best way to tell the two apart is by the barbels by the koi’s mouth which the goldfish does not have.

How to buy goldfish?from dengarden.com

Always go to a local pet or fish store to buy your fish rather than a big box store. The fish store owner has the expertise and knows how to medicate them if they arrive sick, and many goldfish do. They are shipped hundreds to a box and sometimes the shipping times are longer than is good for the fish. If they arrive unwell, they need to stay in the store and be housed in a quarantined and medicated tank. Usually, the new fish stay in the store four to seven days before they are sold. If you shop at a reputable store, you know you are getting a healthy fish. The big box stores do not do quarantine and medicate, so you may be buying sick fish.

What do water lilies do to fish?from dengarden.com

Water lilies are gorgeous floating on the water and give the fish a place to hide. Once your water is ready, add your goldfish. Remember to let their container sit in the pond water to adjust them to the pond temperature before setting them free.

Is a pond better than a tank?from dengarden.com

The beauty you can create is only limited by your imagination! The gurgling water, rocks, flowers, and nightlight (solar is preferable I think) just set off the beautiful fish that are always glad to see you and your guests. A pond is so much easier than a tank.

Do goldfish have ponds?from dengarden.com

Many say they have a goldfish pond when technically they do not .