Your garden can also benefit significantly from a small pond. It not only looks good and increases the value of your property, it can also contribute to the general well-being of your family and keep your small ecosystem in balance. It is possible to build everything yourself, even if you are not a great builder. However, if you do decide to do so, it is important that you do it correctly. The first and most important thing is to collect all the necessary equipment.
So what do you need for the pond in your garden from the start?
Pumps / Filters
You need a good and suitable pond aerator to keep your pond clean, sufficiently oxygenated and healthy. Submersible pumps are perfect for smaller ponds and smaller backyards as they cause very little noise. The superficial ones may be a bit more spectacular (if it's something that interests you), but most of them also take up more space. You should also target water-cooled pumps, as the oil-cooled devices can leak oil into the water that is harmful to your garden's ecosystem and is not environmentally friendly at all.
If you don't want to deal with cables and electricity in or near the water, consider a pump with solar panels. However, be aware that this may not work well (or not at all) if there is no light. If you choose a waterfall, make sure that the aerator of your choice can bring the water to the top of your construction. For fish, you need to choose a mechanical filter or a pump with a good filter because the water contains more dirt and toxic chemicals that are broken down by the bacteria in the biological filter.
Liner
It is important that the liner of your choice be durable and waterproof, as the main goal is to prevent water from entering the soil around the pond, which can cause serious damage both inside and outside a reservoir. If your pond does not have a more or less standard shape or size, you have to choose from more flexible lining materials (such as polyvinyl chloride, butyl rubber or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), as these can be cut according to your requirements. Think carefully about your choice – depending on the use and quality of the liner, the PVC type can last for seven to even fifty years. However, it does not withstand direct sunlight and is not always good for the fish. So if you want to keep animals in your pond, always check your liner for a fish-friendly label. EPDM types are more expensive, but can withstand a lot and for a long time. In contrast to plastic molds, glass fiber molds are also durable. If there is more sunlight in your garden and you need something flexible (and durable as it can last more than 20 years), butyl rubber may be your choice, but you need to remember that it is not suitable for wildlife, drink from yours Pond. Pond owners sometimes choose to use concrete for durability. However, installation may be more difficult and require more maintenance.
plants
It may not be equipment in itself, but it is much more than just decorative – plants actually play a big role in keeping your pond safe, healthy, and blooming. It is recommended to cover about 50% of the pond with different plants. However, they need to be carefully selected and diversified to play their part, protect the liner and prevent your pond from becoming offensive and stagnant. Algae produce oxygen and are food for aquatic animals, but you need to control their growth; You can do this with the help of floating plants that reduce the expansion of algae by shading them. Submerged plants capture sunlight and nutrients to produce oxygen, which contributes to the condition of the water, while marginal plants, which like shallow water and muddy edges, protect the liner from the sun.
Building material
The most important material for pond construction is sand. A layer of two inches between the liner and the floor should be sufficient to protect the liner from stones and other potentially harmful objects. If you expect wildlife (or even humans) to get into your pond, you can sprinkle sand to ensure a firm footing in the ground. Now that you know what you need, you can go shopping and research what works best for your expectations, needs, and the climate in which you live. Get to work – don't get discouraged, make sure you do everything according to the instructions, and enjoy your beautiful, soothing pond. Good luck!
