Water pumps, choosing a perfect pond liner and installing a preformed pond
Water pumps are widely available from specialist retailers and garden centers. When purchasing a pump you have to consider the size of your pond and the purpose of the pump. A pump stand can be regulated up to an angle of 35 degrees and can be fixed to a sloping pond floor.
An oxygenator is used to supply extra oxygen to the pond. An oxygenator can be kept in the pond for 12 months and is necessary for over wintering purposes.
An ice-preventing device
This is made of polystyrene and is also perfect for over wintering.
Pond clippers
These appliances have long handles reaching about 120cm. they are used to help care for the plants in the pond.
A net
This is essential for caring of the pond. Its normally used for fishing out algae and leaves.
Building the pond
A pond can be built by using a flexible liner to seal the pond floor or by using a rigid ready-made pond base.
Building a lined pond
Mark out the required shape of the pond using a garden hole or using wooden pegs. Carefully dig out a pit and get rid of all objects with sharp corners or edges such as nails and stones. The bottom of the pond should be lined with a protective layer of fabric. This fabric is useful and will protect the main liner from damage from below.
Adjusting the edge of the pond
The edges of the pond must be level to prevent the pond water from flowing out of the pit. You can use a garden hose to do this. Add a transparent PVC tube into each end of the garden hose. The hose should be filled with water then tie one end of the hose to a post set in the pond pit and holding the other end, walk all around the prospective pond.
Ensure that the water levels remain the same. Then mark the edge with small wooden pegs then add extra soil or remove some depending on what you would want to achieve.
Placing the liner in the pit
The liner should be laid carefully in the pit. Water should be allowed to slowly flow in until the pond is three quarters full. Smooth out any wrinkles in the liner and rearrange them in a manner that is unnoticeable.
Fixing the liner
The liner should be arranged in a way that ensures that the edges of the material point upwards. This makes sure that the adjacent garden soil does not absorb any water from the pond.
Installing a ready made pond
A ready made pond can be installed using a spade, a shovel, a trowel, a spit level, a long strong plank, a plumb line and a garden hose. The material that will be used includes dry sand which will be used for filing up any spaces under the molded pond.