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 m2). If you install a filtration device, you can allow 2 inches (5. 1 cm) of fish per square foot. Otherwise, don’t break the 1 inch (2. 5 cm) rule.
Ask about free meetings from a certified pond consultant. They can help you determine how to best create a pond and consider variables like available soil types and potential rainfall. Determine if you need a fence around your pond. In some areas, local codes require fencing for ponds deeper than 18 inches (46 cm).
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. Don’t situate your pond in a location where water runs off or it will be at a higher risk of pollution. Make sure you have a waterproof ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet outside your home to power your pump. It should be about 10 ft (3. 0 m) from the pond.
If you only have space in a location that isn’t suitable for ponds, cover the hole with a layer of plastic sheeting, sand, or concrete. This will prevent the pond’s water from being absorbed into the soil. Purchase plastic sheeting, sand, and concrete from home hardware stores.
Select a kit that fits local fishing pond regulations and the location you have selected. If you’d like, you can also purchase the pond liner and pump separately.
Grip the middle of the shovel with your non-dominant hand and the top of your shovel’s handle with your dominant hand. Create a pond depth between 6 inches (15 cm) and 4 feet (1. 2 m) to encourage other forms of wildlife like toads, frogs, salamanders, and ducklings. If the depth of your hole is uneven, be sure that at least 40 to 50 percent of the pond is the deeper region. Call 811 to locate utility lines in your area and be sure not to dig your pond’s hole near any lines or pipes.
Bring any excess soil to a landfill or place an online classified for it. If you bring it to a landfill, call your city’s offices beforehand to determine sanitary requirements for the soil.
Consider a pond that is 3 foot (0. 91 m) deep and both 7 feet (2. 1 m) long and wide. The calculation for both length and width is 7 + (2 x 3) + 2, which equals 15. This means that the square footage calculation is 15 x 15, which is 225—the area in square feet that your water liner must cover. Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) liner is more expensive but more flexible, while polyethylene (PE) and reinforced polypropylene (RPP) line are cheaper but thicker and harder to work with.
Trim off any extra liner with sharp scissors or a utility knife when the pond is full. Purchase a dechlorinator from big-box stores or home hardware stores. Skip this step and let your hole fill up with rainwater if you live in an area with frequent rain.
If you’re buying your own pump, make sure it can pump the appropriate GPH. 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. Purchase a unit with the lowest wattage for the cheapest electrical costs. Hire a contractor to install heavy-duty pond pumps for larger ponds.
Connect your filter to a GFCI protected outlet. Move air stones to shallow areas of the pond during the winter. Installation instructions vary by product—always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your diffuser.
Arrange your plants in clusters of 2 to 3 so that baby fish can hide from larger predators that can (and will) eat them. Try plants like cattail, lotus, iris, and water hyacinth. Position the plants both in the center of the pond and along the hole’s shelf. When placing ponds in the center, ensure a few feet of space between them to prevent crowding.
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.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 3 breeding pairs (3 males, 3 females, all mature). Make sure you have species that won’t kill each other right off the bat. You can also buy fish from local pet stores or contact the local wildlife and fisheries department and ask about ordering hatchlings.
Keep the male and female fish populations as even as possible to encourage breeding.
Purchase leaf skimmers and vacuums from home improvement stores.
Attach a dechlorinator to the pond if you’re filling it up with city water.
