Tag Archives: Pond

Tips On How To Build A Pond

A pond is not only a stunning garden feature but is also a wonderful wildlife habitat, attracting birds, insects and many other animals.


Building a pond from scratch can seem a daunting task however it need not be, having the correct equipment and understanding what form of pond will suit your needs is half the battle.


The first thing to consider when you build a pond is where it will be located, try to view where the pond will be from many different angles, try looking from an upstairs window also, use what ever you have to mark out a make believe pond so you can see it from different angles.


You need to consider the size of your pond, this will be affected by the size of your garden and what you are considering to have in the pond. A larger pond would be needed for larger fish such as koi carp where as a smaller pond would suit goldfish or if the pond was just for newts and frogs.


Once you have defined the parameter of the pond (this is often done with string or hosepipe) and you are happy with the size and positioning you will need to excavate the area. Dig out the turf and keep going until the required depth is achieved, remember to remove any sharp stones or large lumps of mud.


When digging the pond it is recommended that you leave one side with a slop so any animals that accidentally fall in have a way of getting out, it is also a place where you fish can bask in the sun.


Once you have dug the pond you will need to lay a base, if you decide to use concrete then you will need to add some sort of wire to it to bind it together and prevent it from cracking, sand is another option, lay a layer of sand around the hole you have dug, this will protect the pond liner and help to prevent it from being punctured.Adding a layer of old carpet adds to this protection.


Once the base has been laid you need to position your pond liner, this will require some help depending on the size of your pond. Ask a friend to help with this part, hold each end and lay over the hole you have dug out, take care not to damage the liner by dragging it over rough ground or sharp stones.

Once the liner is in place secure the sides with some bricks and most importantly leave plenty of overlap.


Once the liner is in place it is time to start to fill your pond, as the pond is being filled it is important to pull the edges of the liner so it fits neatly in the contours of the pond.

Keep adding water until the pond is full then cut away any excess liner leaving an overlap large enough to lay slabs or turf on to keep in place.


Stand back and have a look at what you have created!, Now you have the job of decided which fish and plants you will add and position around your new pond.

Allen Jesson writes for several sites including Seapets, a leading source for Ponds he also specializes in hot dog training tips and training for dogs.

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Creating a Fish Pond with Variety

In order to create the perfect fish pond in your own garden, you will need a performing pool or foil, pumps, special vegetation and fish. It sounds quite easy but what is really important is the way in which all these elements are combined in order to create the pond of your dreams.

First of all, it is very important to make up a plan of the pond. Its form, dimension and maybe a little waterfall all have to be in complete harmony with the yard you are willing to build it in. You have to avoid the areas close to the trees because leaves may fall and this wouldn’t be very aesthetic for the pond and could even destroy its natural balance. The necessary condition for the existence of a biologic equilibrium is sun light. If the pond does not receive enough sun light, the water temperature does not warm enough and the plants and fish do not evolve adequately.

Moreover, in order to style up the pond, you can give it a geometrical form (circle, rectangle or diamond). This style asks for sober vegetation, like water lilies and some semi aquatic plants. You can also hide the edges of the pond with river rocks or using a multitude of plants in love with watered areas. It also gives the pond a plus in what concerns the style and also contributes to the creation of the natural habitat for the fish that will come up in it.  In addition to this, it is very necessary to project the pond with variable depth. Thus, during the winter, the fish will have deeper areas to stay in and will not be affected by water freezing.

After two or three weeks from installing the pond, you can start to populate it. You may start with plants which evolve best in water, such as myriophyllum, potamogeton, ceratophyllum. They are very useful for fish and for the water oxygenation, stopping the apparition of algae. A very important element is represented by the famous water lilies. The varieties of this species are numerous as well as the form and the color of the flowers. You can combine different colors and different species in order to make the pond seem natural and stylish. In order to plant them, you have to use special baskets with sand covered with gravel as not to spread and to keep the plants very well fixed.

There are also some floating plants which can cover the surface of the pond and can move in the direction of the wind. Some of these plants are the water hyacinth and the water salad, which give the pond an exotic aspect. The bad thing is that these plants don’t survive in the winter. The edges of the pond can be populated with reed, rush, pond iris and pond lily, plants which also survive during the winter. As species of fish, the most recommended ones would be the exotic ones, such as Chinese carp or discus fish. Both of them can be found in different colors, which give the pond a great variety.

Jason Boonstra is the author of “The Ultimate Water Garden Manual” – compulsory reading for anyone considering pond fish species. For a FREE 20 part mini-course on “The Secrets To Creating & Maintaining a Stunning Water Garden!” go to => http://www.watergardentips.com

Koi Carp Pond – a Process of Creativity and Engineering

When considering building a Koi carp pond, one must fist be clear on the reason and motivation behind taking on such a wonderful yet laborious commitment. Throughout the world, Koi ponds bring different experiences to different people. In China, Koi are believed to be bearers of good luck to their owners with Koi ponds bringing fulfilment to their lives, while others around the world experience a sense of inner peace when relaxing by their garden ponds watching the Koi swim and even feeding right from their hands. In general, Koi have brought joy to those who have made these beautiful fish a part of their lives.

Today, more and more Koi enthusiasts are taking on the responsibility of building and maintaining a Koi carp pond. And with the vast resources of information available, its no wonder Koi are becoming ever popular as finding the right help and advice on caring for them has becomes more readily available.

In planning the development of a garden pond, one must fist understand the basics of what goes into it in terms of construction, maintenance and Koi keeping and, realize that it is a process of both creativity and engineering. And even though the rewards of spending countless sunny afternoons in the tranquil surroundings of a Koi garden pond, this endeavour should not be taken lightly. As with any other pet hobby, this takes time, effort, patients and money to maintain. Also, because Koi can be quite sensitive to certain changes, keeping Koi and maintaining a Koi carp pond requires the owner to learn all that they can, even before starting any construction and development on a pond and surely before buying or obtaining any Koi fish.

Now none of this is meant to discourage Koi enthusiasts. But if you are seriously thinking of getting into such an extraordinary hobby, then you owe it to yourself, and your Koi, to get it right the first time. Consider the alternative of having missed something after you have completed everything, only to find that it could cost you more in time and money to rectify the issue then it did for your to build it in the first place.

Are you ready to begin? Good. A few Koi carp pond terms you should familiarize yourself with, just to get you started on some basics of what goes into pond maintenance are; mechanical filtration and why sand filters are bad, biological filtration, the Nitrogen Cycle, nitrifying bacteria – what they are and what they do, denitrifying bacteria – what they are and what they do, heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria, organic and inorganic waste products – what they are and what happens to them.

Once you have done the research and gained the basic knowledge, you will have a much better understanding of what a Koi pond entails regarding your time and commitment in raising these beautiful fish. With knowledge comes peace of mind, as you will feel more secure in getting things done the right way the first time, thus adding to the enjoyment and serenity of completing and owning your very own Koi carp pond.

Get your FREE 10 day Koi Carp Fish Care mini course, today. Michael C. Harris is a Koi fish specialist. Get more great Koi carp pond tips today. His successful Koi care secrets e-Book “Koi Fish School”, is an inspiring guide of easy follow techniques for every Koi fish enthusiast.

Fishing from the bank or shore of a lake, pond or river

Shore (bank) fishing is an exciting form of recreational fishing where the primary reward is the challenge catching non-common species. Some lakes, rivers and ponds are particularly attractive, such as the Red Lake Rivers running between Minnesota and North Dakota, and encompassing more than 70 species of native fish, including a world-class channel cat fish.

There are many other Shore (bank) fishing locations, in which the methods of fishing vary according to different factors, including the area where shore fishing is practiced, the targeted specials, along with personal strategies of the participants and the resources available in each place. Shore (bank) fishing allows a diversity of techniques, from the art of fly-fishing to the high-tech methods used to get catches such as tuna and marlin. Experts recommend hook, rod and reel for fishing rather than using nets or any other fishing aids.

Fishing from the shore is an ideal adventure for both expert fishers and novice anglers, who fish from the shoreline banks of ponds, rivers, lakes and streams, but also on the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific and Gulf coasts. In the United States, there are countless opportunities for shore bank fishing, including man-made structures especially intended for the practice of this sport, including bridges, walkways, piers and jetties.

Inland or coastal fishing offers the benefit of natural surroundings for the personal enjoyment or family entertainment. Kayaking, canoeing, biking and other activities are usually available near the shore, including lodging facilities for families and groups, as well as boat renting for the serious fisherman.

Each of the different locations has their own trophies. Atlantic shores are the destination for fresh water fish, including salmon considered the king of kings of all the catches, while the lake trout is the favorite of those who prefer inland shore (bank) fishing, particular boat fishing to enter the middle of lakes. Fishing from the shore is exciting for new anglers, but some species of fish cannot be caught along the shore.

There is a large array of fish available to people fishing on the shore, but free-swimming ocean fish are not found close to shore, particularly trout, they are usually found in cool, clear streams and lakes. However, Shore (bank) fishing offers stream trout and other species such as northern pike, sunfish, and bass, catfish, carp, perch, walleye and suckers.

There is a website that describes boat fishing, ice fishing, and has info on numerous freshwater fish, baits, and lures, plus other great freshwater fishing tips. The website is called: Fishing Stringer, and may be found at this address:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released software on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

RB59 Software

http://www.rb59.com/software

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