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.
Lastly, 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.
Decide first what part of the backyard you want to your fish pond to be situated before going out and buying anything. Select an area where it is far from the trees since many aquatic plants, like lilies, need a sufficient amount of sunlight to grow.
Choose an area where there are no falling leaves that can make cleaning a nightmare. Do not place your pond on low areas since large volumes of rainwater might run off and accumulate in the pond during rainy seasons. Not to mention, these runoff water might contain fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful materials.
Place your pond in an area where it can be best appreciated and seen. The sense of building a pond is for you to enjoy it. Select a location where it can be best viewed (i.e. the sitting area or a patio in the garden).
Types of Pond
After choosing where you want your pond to be located, it is now time to select what type of pond you want. The two types of pond are the following:
ABS plastic preformed ponds are usually used for small ponds that can contain up to 250 gallons of water. This type of pond comes in a variety of sizes and shapes such as hourglass, rock gardens, and kidney. Waterfalls and formed spillways are also available.
Pond lines or liners are used for any size of pond. The sizes available for this kind of pond is 10' x 15' to 20' x 25' or larger. This can allow you to build a pond to your preferred size either by using them individually or by connecting together two or more pod liners with a special adhesive.
These pond liners are very heavy especially the large ones. They are usually made of rubber. Using pond liners can be quite a fun and creative experience since this type may allow you to decide on the shape of your pond. However, you need to be aware that a 19' x 26' liner will not create a pond of the same size. In choosing the proper size liner, it is imperative to know the width (W), length (L), as well as the maximum depth (MD) at their widest points. After which, use the formula L+(MD*2) by W+(MD*2).
This means that a 10 foot long by 5 foot wide by 2 foot deep pond may require a 14' x 9' pond liner so as to make an edge above the water level. It is important to let a professional pond developer help in determining the pond size liner you need.
Dig It
Now that you've decided on the location and the type of your fish pond, it is time to dig it. The average size of the pond is at least 18" deep at its deepest point. However, 24" is better. With this depth, the fishes may be allowed to stay in the pond during winter time without freezing. Inclusion of planting shelves in the design will make it easier to place emergent lilies and plants.
Filtering
After accomplishing the above tasks, it is high time for you to think about filtration. It may be better to ask your pond professional about this topic. Just keep in mind that whichever filter you choose, ensure that it is cleaned at a regular basis so that the water will remain clear. Utilizing a filter may also hinder the mosquitoes from making the pond their breeding ground.
All Set
And now, all you have to do is add your fish and you are good to go!
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