Do It Yourself Ponds

With the growing popularity of ponds and outdoor water features, it is no wonder many people are researching ways to make a do it yourself ponds. These beautiful spaces are easy to design and create.
Choices For Do It Yourself Ponds
When determining choices for your own do it yourself ponds, consider a few essential questions. How big of a space is available for the pond? Specific types of ponds need more space. Koi ponds for example, not only need to be deep, but they also need to be large enough to hold at least 900 gallons of water. Another consideration is how many hours a day of sunlight does the area receive. If your do it yourself ponds is going to be mainly made up of plants, it is important to discover how much sunlight there is. Some plants require all day sun, while others can go with as few as three to four hours a day.

Once the area has been selected, lay out the shape of the pond with a string or draw it on the ground with spray paint. One of the best ways to create a do it yourself ponds is to dig the area out and dig a shelf on the outside of the pond about a foot wide. The pond itself can gradually slope down; with shelves created every few feet. These shelves can be used to place water plants. The outside shelf is used to house the plumbing for the filters, pumps and skimmers that are used in the pond.

A lining for the pond will be needed. These can be purchased at almost any home improvement store. There are even one piece pre fabricated liners that can be laid into the ground. It may be a good idea to place old rugs or rocks underneath the lining to help support it when the water is put in. Rocks can be used to hold the liner down. Pots are needed to plant the underwater and marginal plants used in a pond. Floating plants do not need to be potted. Specific plants have different soil needs. Follow directions for planting the water plants for best results.

A filter and pump are two important pieces to a do it yourself ponds. This will help maintain the pond, keeping plants and fish healthy. Without a filter and pump the do it yourself pond will become filled with algae and turn colors. Plants will no longer thrive as oxygen is not being circulated throughout the pond.

Additional features such as a waterfall can also be added. Home improvement stores carry easy to install pumps to make waterfalls. To spruce up the outside of the do it yourself pond, place stones of varying sizes and plants.

Do it yourself ponds, are an inventive way to make a customized feature in your yard.