| With a little ingenuity and effort, you can build that | | | | together with tape. Its function is to help keep |
| goldfish pond outdoors that you always wanted | | | | the pond liner in place. After you've got the |
| right in your own backyard. All you need to do is | | | | underlayment where you want it, it's time to add |
| gather together a few buddies to help you and a | | | | the rubber pond liner. Put it into the hole and |
| cooler of cold drinks, and it's a project you can | | | | position it where you want it. Then smooth out |
| often do in a day. Supplies you will need for the | | | | any folds you can. Don't worry if a few folds |
| project include: shovels, a pond liner & | | | | remain. You can iron those out later. |
| underlayment, a rope, coping stones and | | | | After the liner is in place, it's time for the real fun |
| decorations, plants, a recirculating pump, and a | | | | to begin. Now's the time to add the waterfalls, |
| filter system. | | | | and streams. You need to place them to flow |
| There are several different choices available for | | | | directly into the pond. The pond liner should rest |
| your "goldfish-pond-in-a-day project. The first | | | | against the pond filter. Secure a stone to the liner |
| things you'll need to do is choose a site for your | | | | using mortar or expandable foam. This will serve |
| pond. Here are some tips for where to place your | | | | as a deterrent to the water flow and cause it to |
| pond. | | | | cascade over the top of the stone. Automatic |
| * The site should be near your home or another | | | | waterfall! |
| power supply. | | | | At this point, all systems should be go. Using the |
| * It shouldn't be at the bottom of a slope, | | | | instructions provided with the materials, hook the |
| because of possible chemical runoff from gardens | | | | liner to the skimmer and put all of the pipes into |
| and lawns. | | | | the proper position. |
| * The site should get at least four hours of sun | | | | This final step in building your pond is to decorate |
| each day. Keep away from shady areas. | | | | it to look the way you want it to. You can use |
| * It's better to stay away from trees altogether. | | | | coping stones to make an outline around the pond. |
| Leaves and debris falling from a tree are going to | | | | Lay them slightly higher than the edge of the |
| clog your pond and cause you a lot more | | | | water, and carefully tuck all ends of the pond liner |
| maintenance. | | | | behind them so that it doesn't show. You can just |
| Now that you've found the perfect location, you | | | | lay the stones if you feel they are heavy and |
| need to decide what size and shape your goldfish | | | | stable. Otherwise, add a little mortar to keep |
| pond is going to be. You need to make the pond | | | | everything in place. |
| large enough so that the goldfish have room to | | | | Make everything look as natural as you can. Add |
| swim around. You'll want to plan some different | | | | some shrubs around the edges, but not enough |
| depths in your pond, just like there are in pools in | | | | that they will obscure your view of the pond |
| nature. This makes for a more natural look and | | | | once they grow. Save plants to add later after |
| feel. | | | | the water is in the pond. You can even make a |
| If you live in a mild to moderate climate, you | | | | mini-beach by adding cobblestone and gravel. |
| should make your pond at least two feet deep. In | | | | Fill the pond with water to within a few inches of |
| colder climates the pond needs to be deeper. You | | | | the top. Make any adjustments that are needed. |
| need to make sure that your goldfish have at | | | | During the time the pond is filling, you can add or |
| least 12-16" of water space to live in below where | | | | remove wrinkles as necessary in order to |
| the ice will freeze during the winter. | | | | everything look nice. You also should add a |
| Digging the pond is the hardest part of the | | | | dechlorinator which will remove the chlorine from |
| project, and you'll be glad you invited your friends | | | | the water. |
| to help. Lay out the shape you want, and hand | | | | Add the gravel and plant root plants into it. Put in |
| out the shovels. You're not just digging a hole, | | | | the plants immediately after you fill the pond. In |
| though. Around the outside edge of the goldfish | | | | your plantings, be sure to plant plenty of |
| pond there needs to be a ledge that is | | | | Anacharis, a plant which acts like a filter and fights |
| approximately one foot wide and one foot deep. | | | | algae. Water lilies are also nice, because they |
| You also need to dig a slope towards one end | | | | provide shade for the fish. Finally, and this may |
| that will accommodate your waterfall. | | | | sound funny to you, add packaged bacteria to the |
| The final step in your prep work is to position the | | | | pond and filter. |
| external pond filters and optional pond skimmers. | | | | Wait several weeks for your pond to season |
| They need to be placed and leveled. Dig a ditch | | | | before adding fish. The pond needs to develop |
| from the skimmer to the external pond pump as | | | | the right balance of bacteria and nutrients the fish |
| well as one from the pump to the waterfall. | | | | will need in order to survive. When time is up, |
| The first thing you'll add to the hole you prepared | | | | introduce your fish to the water, and your |
| is pond underlayment. Underlayment is a lining | | | | goldfish pond will be ready for you to enjoy. |
| material that you can cut to fit and even piece | | | | |