A pond can be a great place to keep pet fish. It can also make your backyard living space more tranquil and it could attract other local wildlife such as frogs and dragonflies. Here are a few tips for building a pond that will not only be perfect for outdoor pets but beautiful too.
Choose the right location
You can place a pond anywhere, but some locations may make your pond easier to maintain. The nearer it is to the entrance of your home, the more likely you are to keep on top of maintenance. Ideally, you don’t want any trees above as this could result in constantly having to fish out leaves and branches. Building on a slope could allow you to add tiers and features like a waterfall.
Make sure it’s deep enough
A pond should be no less than 18 inches deep in the center if you’re going to be keeping fish in it. Larger ponds can commonly be as deep as 3 feet. You can dig deeper than this, but it usually isn’t necessary. It’s worth hiring a professional company to excavate the pond for you.
Choose the right lining
You should opt for a high quality PVC or EPDM lining. While you can buy cheaper pond lining made from other materials, these materials may not be as robust – if damaged, water could start leaking out into the earth. You can shop for pond lining online.
Consider sloped edges
You may want to consider having at least one sloped edge on your pond. Animals such as raccoons and even cats can sometimes drown in ponds with sheer sides, because they fall in and can’t climb out. A single slope allows a way of exiting the pond for any animals that do fall in.
Add a pump
A pump is essential for stopping your pond water from getting stagnant. This helps to keep the pond oxygenated, which can be important if you’re keeping fish or plants. A pump will also keep the water cleaner and you may not have to deep clean the pond as regularly. You can buy pumps such as these Tsurumi VANCS pumps online. Bigger ponds may need more powerful pumps – or potentially even multiple pumps.
Consider fountains/waterfalls
You can also add water features such as fountains and waterfalls. This could also help to make your pond more of a spectacle as well as keeping the water filtered. This is something to look for while shopping for pumps.
Add the right plants
There are lots of plants that you can grow in and around your pond. A few popular examples include lilies, water lettuce, cardinal flowers, mint and papyrus. Sticking to native plants may help to encourage local wildlife. You can find plants at sites like Pond Plants Online.
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