How to Operate a Fish Pond

The setup and operation of a fish pond is a way of making your garden appear more classy and to have a relaxing water feature in your garden. Before you buy the fish, however, you will have to do some preparation so you can make the fish pond correctly. If you don't prepare properly, then your fish will not survive very long. When you have set up the pond, and the fish are in it, you will need to maintain it regularly.

Things You'll Need

  • Pond Liner
  • Shovel
  • Sand
  • Plank
  • Leveler
  • Pond Filter
  • Fish
  • Water-Testing Kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Map out your fish pond by drawing an outline with spray paint on your grass. If you are happy with the size, shape and location of the pond, begin digging it out. The walls of the pond should slope down roughly 30 degrees. Dig the pond out two inches deeper than you need it to be. When you have dug out the pond, place a plank across the center and place a leveler on top. If the pond is not level, water will flow out. Use the soil you have dug out to level the top of the pond.

    • 2

      Fill the bottom two inches of the pond with sand to help with drainage. Remove all large stones or roots from the edges of the pond which may rip the liner. Lay down the liner in the pond, covering the entire area. Place large stones or bricks around the edge of the pond to hold the liner in place.

    • 3

      Fill the pond with water using a garden hose. Add dechlorinator tablets, following the instructions given on the packet. This will remove harmful chemicals from the pond. Install a pond filter to keep the water fresh. These usually sit on the bottom of the pond and are plugged into a power source. Once this has been running for 24 hours, test the water to see if it is safe for fish, using a water-testing kit.

    • 4

      Add fish to the pond. If want to put in a range of fish, ask the fish store if the different varieties can co-exist in a pond together. Some fish naturally feed on others, so it's best to check beforehand if you want to avoid some of your fish being eaten. Once you have added the fish to the pond, test the water every day for a week to ensure it remains safe.

    • 5

      Maintain the pond regularly, by testing the water once a week after the first week. Ensure you have spare parts for your filter in case it stops working. Consider setting up a waterfall or other aeration device to ensure that the water is fully aerated, particularly in the summer, when waterplants can consume oxygen. Have a large bucket or bowl handy in case you have to remove the fish from the pond in an emergency.