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First, you have to decide the size and shape of the fish pond.
As a rule, the larger the pond the more maintenance is required. This includes
water testing, fish feeding, filter maintenance and so on. We are prepared
to teach you how to build a large fish pond where you could keep a
quite a few fish and plants. The pond should be in a place with both sun
and shade. Sunlight encourages the plants to grow, but it also grows unwanted
algae. So you want to try to balance that with the location in the yard that
you put your fish pond. |
When you decide where you want your fish pond and waterfall, use white
paint to mark the area. I used the kind they mark foul lines on baseball
fields. I bought it at a feed store believe it or not. You can also use your
garden hose if you have the good rubber type that is flexible.
Digging the hole is the toughest part of installing the fish pond.
At least that's what my teenage boys told me. They had to dig a hole that
was approximately 10 feet long by 5 feet wide. The pond also needed to be
between 2 and 3 feet deep in the middle, with a one foot ledge around it.
They cried like babies when I told them they would be digging the pond.
The ledge serves two purposes. It provides a spot to put water plants around
the inside of the fish pond, and it serves as a step. The step would be helpful
if I or my dog wander into the pond one dark night.
Using the outline I painted, it took my sons about three days to dig the
hole. I could have done it quicker but that would have required me to work.
Besides they were paid handsomely by the meals they have eaten the last 15
and 18 years.
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Once the hole was finished, I needed to make sure that I had electricity.
I decided I would wire it myself, so that I could save money. My wife decided
that 300 dollars for an electrician was cheaper than a funeral. She didn't
say whose, but I think she was thinking of hers. I showed the electrician
the plans for my pond, as well as the pump and filters I chose. He told me
they looked good but I think he did it his way. He installed two Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter outlets in my backyard, close to the proposed fish
pond. One for said pond, one for something I might want in the future. Don't
tell my wife or she will think of something she wants. She will think lighting.
I am thinking water proof big screen television. |
I was now ready to begin putting the fish pond together. That took me like
a week. A normal adult, working steady without my kids involved, maybe a
day and a half.
I first prepared the fish pond bed by double-checking the measurements.
This was easy. Again I made my sons do it.
I then spent an hour making them clear the bottom of anything that might
puncture the liner while I tried out my new Dale Earnhardt Jr lawn chair
(Shop for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Tailgating Gear at NASCAR.com ) Branches, roots and rocks were removed - chair very comfortable.
I used sand to line the bottom and sides of the hole. Under the sand I put
a weed barrier but I don't know if that's necessary.
I then spread the fish pond liner over the hole with the help of kids and
wife. Getting it stretched out was a pain but they did it. We then put firewood
in it to hold it in place. Be careful again not to puncture your future fish
pond.
Time to add the water! To ensure that we were adding the correct amount of
water, you can use your water meter to measure water volume. I didn't think
of that till I started so I had no beginning reading. But if you want to
do this method, take a reading before you start, then after, and you will
have amount used - provided your wife is not washing clothes at the time.
If you are like me you will find that lying on your belly to read the meter
is a pain and not worth having an exact number.
While the fish pond was filling with water, and meter now spinning
uncontrollably. We laid out the border. The border is used to hold the pond
liner in place plus it looks good. Keeping the measurements of the pond in
mind, we figured about 50 feet of decorative stone to make the border. A
couple hundred bucks worth.
After the stones were in place and the fish pond was full, we went
back and cut away some excess liner. Leaving about six inches all the way
around. We hid the remaining excess with the border rocks. Make sure the
border never goes below water level or you have a problem. We then removed
floating firewood and realized rocks would have been better to hold liner.
Once the fish pond liner was in place, we were ready to begin installing
filter and pump. We first attached the filter to the water pump using 3/4-inch
tubing. We then attached the pump to the ultraviolet light clarifier using
3/4-inch tubing. Then we ran 1-inch tubing from the ultraviolet light clarifier
to the top of our waterfall. When I say we - it was the fifteen year
old.
I also chose to install a separate fountain as soon as my wife told me I
did. It was for the fountain I was told I wanted it on the far end of the
fish pond. The fountain could be turned off and on separately. The
waterfall on the other hand needs to run continuously because it is the filtering
system.
After all of the stuff was in place, we built a waterfall. The waterfall
was built by constucting steps at the end of the pond. We draped a large
piece of excess liner over the mound of dirt (steps) and ran tubing from
the light clarifier through the liner at the top of the mound. Then we used
the excess border rock and some smaller stones to line the steps and build
up the waterfall.
Then we turned on the pumps and filters to make sure that all of the water
was flowing down the waterfall, into the fish pond and not out into
the yard.
Time for fish! First, I added chemicals, including the salt to make the water
ready for my new pets. Next, I used a special kit to test the water. It was
good after a few minor adjustments. Remember I was guessing at water volume.
I decided to put three fish into the pond, Dale Junior, Chipper
Jones and Smoltz. My wife took care of the plant part. All I know is that
it looks good. Her choice of green plants was very astute.
It is not an easy landscaping project to build a fish pond but we
think it was worth it. You will need help. I thought ahead and had teenage
sons. You might want to ask friends to assist you if you don't have 15 years
to wait.
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