| Having a fish pond in your garden creates visual | | | | exactly what equipment you will need. This is |
| appeal. People are drawn to the sound of water | | | | even more true when you are building a fish pond. |
| as it offers a feeling of serenity and beauty; the | | | | You will need to establish whether your garden will |
| soothing sound of water in motion from your | | | | be able to hold a fish pond You will need to |
| very own pond sets your garden alive. Gardens | | | | consider whether the climate is compatible and |
| that contain water features are admired by many | | | | whether you are prepared to regularly maintain |
| and your fish pond can become the focal point of | | | | the fish pond when needed. You should also take |
| your backyard. However, there are some things | | | | into consideration the availability of supplies such |
| that you should consider before thinking about | | | | as water, filtration and electricity and decide |
| constructing your very own back garden fish | | | | whether you are going to build a large pond or a |
| pond. | | | | small one. |
| Firstly you should consider the climate of the area | | | | Deciding on the location of the pond in your |
| in which you live. Fish tend to hibernate at the | | | | garden is something that should be considered |
| bottom of the pond during the winter months and | | | | wisely. You will need to place your pond in an area |
| they naturally stop eating when the water | | | | where there is virtually no shade and will have the |
| temperature goes below 45 degrees. It is | | | | sun shining on it. Do not place your pond |
| therefore necessary that if the climate in your | | | | underneath trees as you will find that it will be |
| area is cold most of the time, i.e. you experience | | | | horrendous to clean due to the falling leaves. |
| bad winters, then you really do need to make a | | | | Placing your pond where run-off water tends to |
| deep fish pond If you live in a location where the | | | | flow will cause your pond to become murky and |
| pond may freeze over completely then you must | | | | dirty so this is something else that you should |
| ensure that a hole is created in the ice to keep | | | | consider. |
| the fish alive. Additionally, if you have aquatic | | | | The average depth of a garden fish pond is |
| plants in your pond these should be removed and | | | | usually between 18" to 24" and you should |
| placed indoors as they may die during the cold | | | | determine the depth of your pond based on this. |
| weather. | | | | Once you have made the outline of your pond |
| Another thing you should consider is the filtration | | | | you can start to dig it, making sure that you |
| system of your pond When water is moving, i.e. | | | | provide easy access to the pond during cleaning. |
| from a small waterfall or fountain, it creates a | | | | Taking these steps will also be ideal for holding |
| filtration all of its own due to the action of the | | | | potted plants just above the water. Make sure |
| flowing water. Your pond filtration depends on the | | | | also that the bottom is levelled as you dig. |
| design of your system and the climate of the | | | | You will also need to have an appropriate pond |
| area in which you live. Although you may not | | | | liner. To get the right size, take the width of your |
| need a filter for your garden pond it is always | | | | pond and add twice to it the depth of the pond |
| wise to consult someone who is knowledgeable | | | | and then another 24 inches. To measure the |
| concerning pond filtration. Many stores that | | | | length is done using a similar formula. Drape the |
| provide supplies for garden ponds stock biological | | | | liner over the pond arrange it and place stones |
| and cartridge filters that you may need and will be | | | | around the edges then you can fill it up with |
| suitable for your particular garden pond you may | | | | water. As you fill the pond fold large creases |
| also discuss your requirements with the staff in | | | | neatly and remove all wrinkles to make it less |
| store who should know and will point you in the | | | | noticeable. |
| right direction. | | | | Once your pond is full, place in any filters, pumps |
| As with everything, when you are going to start | | | | and lightings and connect to the electrical supply. |
| a new project, you really do need to educate | | | | Add your plants and fish and you are ready to go! |
| yourself and find out about the essentials and | | | | |