Things You'll Need
- String
- Shovel
- Pond outer liner
- Rubber pond liner
- Filter/skimmer
- Water dechlorinator
- Water pump
Instructions
Planning
Ask yourself what kind of fish you would like to keep in your pond. The best outdoor fish are goldfish and their larger cousins, koi. A koi pond requires a much greater volume and depth than a goldfish pond. If you plan on keeping koi, your pond should be larger than 1,000 gallons in volume, and greater than 3 feet deep. Having koi also severely limits the kinds of plant life you can keep, as koi will eat most plants.
Determine how deep your pond should be. If you live in a colder climate, your pond should be deeper than one constructed in a warmer area. Allow at least a foot of water below the "freeze zone" so that your fish do not freeze along with your pond in the winter months. The freeze zone of your pond depends on the climate you live in. If you think your pond will freeze solid, you should bring your fish inside during the winter months, or make it 5 feet deep or more.
Choose the best location for your pond. You should be able to see it from inside your house so that you can enjoy the pleasing sights and the wildlife that it will attract. Your pond should be positioned so that no runoff water flows into it, as runoff can carry deadly fertilizers and pesticides. If you plan on keeping plants, your pond should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Determine the size of your pond. You can accomplish this by laying your string along the imaginary perimeter of your pond. Your pond should also have different shelves of depth. There should be a shallow section for fish and plants, which should be deeper than 6 inches and shallower than 1 1/2 feet; a middle section, about 2 feet deep; and a deep section, deeper than 3 feet. The greater the volume, the more stable your pond will be, with regard to water quality fluctuations. To determine the size of pond liner and outer liner you should use, take the length and width of your pond, add the depth twice, and then add a couple extra feet.
Construction
Dig out your pond, allowing a slight gradual slope away from the waterfall, if you included one in your design.
Place your pond skimmer, filter or waterfall units in accordance with their directions. Some may require you to bury them even with the water level; others should be contained above ground. Dig a ditch separate from the pond to run the plumbing from the pump to the filter or waterfall.
Place your outer liner. Tape or staple any loose sections to keep them from moving around when the pond liner is in place.
Place the rubber pond liner in the hole. Smooth it out to minimize wrinkles and creases. Stubborn folds will probably come out when water is added.
Connect the pond liner to the skimmer, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Finishing Touches
Arrange stones around the edges of the pond to create a nice border. The stones should rest on the pond liner, with the liner rising a couple of inches above the water level. If the stones are large enough to be stable, mortar may not be necessary.
Fill the pond with water. Add dechlorinator according to the directions, to make the water habitable for your fish.
Add aquatic plants as soon as possible after filling your pond with water. They will consume many of the nutrients that would otherwise fuel algae growth, and can also create a more stable habitat for your fish. Consider using packaged bacteria to prepare the pond for your fish, though it is not necessary.
Add fish a few at a time over the next couple of weeks. Adding them gradually instead of all at once will allow the bacteria in your pond to stabilize, creating a safer environment for your fish.