Do’s and Don’ts in Pond Construction

With over 35 years in the pond industry, we have learnt a thing or two about what makes a pond easy to maintain. If you are planning on digging your own pond, then have a read of what we know sets you up for success later and what the most common mistakes are in pond construction. Our team of highly experienced landscapers and aquatic experts are available to work with you to create the pond of your dreams – contact us today

DO:

  • Invest in professional advice if you are ever not sure – it will save you in the long run.
  • Create the pond at a suitable depth – a shallow pond will get very warm, very quickly. This often encourages the growth of common pond pests such as aquatic weed and algae. Dig a pond that takes the size and shape into account and know that often, deeper is better. General rule of thumb is 400mm or greater for watergardens and 1m or greater for Koi ponds.
  • Check your local councils’ fencing regulations – ask them to supply a written document to say if anything over 300mm must be fenced.  Why aren’t council ponds or dams fenced?  Remember, ponds aren’t pools so do your homework.
  • Fence your pond if there is any chance of kids falling in.
  • Move the water with pond pumps or air pumps – you won’t have mosquitoes then.
  • Use the best quality equipment you can afford – it will last the longest and be better value in the long-run.
  • Dig your hole before purchasing liner – ponds usually end up being bigger than you first thought
  • Consider the placement of equipment required such as biological filters, water pumps and aeration systems – as the pond ages, nutrients tend to accumulate and you will have to install specialised equipment that will maintain good water quality when this happens. Think about where you would put a biological filter or sit your aerator later so that it is simple to add.  Even better – set it all up right from the beginning.
  • Consult the experts if you aren’t sure what to do when things don’t look quite right
  • Prepare yourself for spending some time maintaining the water and the equipment you have.  Or get us to do it.
  • Make sure you’ve done your research – we are trying to emulate nature here so be open to giving yourself a lesson in biology!

 

DON’T:

  • – Dig it and leave it to fend for itself- the water will quickly become stagnant, a great home for mosquito larvae and be an expensive fix later.
  • – Use cheap liner – you will regret it later when trying to find the leaks!
  • – Place river rock or gravel on the bottom – it will look great for a few weeks and then become the perfect home for sludge and other smelly garbage which is very hard to get rid of.
  • – Skimp on your filter – the filter is what keeps your pond clean and healthy.
  • – Over plant – allow a maximum of 30% coverage as it can very quickly become out of control and strangle the pond of the oxygen.
  • – Ever use pool filters – they are a different technology. Trust us, they don’t work on ponds.
  • – Buy the cheapest water pump you can find – general rule of thumb, the cheaper the pump the more expensive the electrical bill.
  • – Cut the cord on your pump – this instantly voids the manufacturer’s warranty.
  • – Add fish when you aren’t ready to care for their needs – fish need oxygen to survive and the water quality must be within defined limits.
  • – Take advice from the big sheds, aquarium shops and garden centres that only stock a couple of pond products – they’re likely to recommend a product that will not work.
  • – Add dangerous chemicals into the water – in ponds we rely on bacteria to keep the water looking great. Adding harsh chemicals can also be very dangerous for any animals that visit your  pond too!
  • – Add plants or fish without doing your research first – many species can quickly spread, cause nutrient imbalance problems and be difficult to remove
  • – Build your pond in a poor location -consult an expert if you are not sure.

There is a lot to consider when creating a pond, and once you’ve dug it and installed your equipment it can be difficult and costly to go back. Our team of highly experienced landscapers and aquatic experts are available to work with you to create the pond of your dreams – contact us today