How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?
The tools you will need are a shovel, pond liner and underlayment, a long enough rope, coping stones and decorations, plants, a pump (you will need a pump to run a filter, fountain, or waterfall and it will keep the water circulating and the plants healthy), a filter system and some cooperative friends or family members. Now you can get started.
Time to choose
Several options are available and you could actually build a goldfish pond in a day, depending on the size you want it to be. Begin by deciding where in the garden you would like a goldfish pond.
* It should be near your house, as that would make it more accessible to power supply sockets.
* It should not be at the end of a sloping garden because when it rains all the water along with the chemicals from the garden would run into the pond.
* It should not be under too much of shade, as a pond needs at least four hours of sunlight.
* It shouldn't be very near trees as the falling leaves and debris would fall in and clog the pond. You would be cleaning up all the time.
Time to dig
* Decide on the shape and size of the pond. Use the rope to outline the shape you want and then begin digging. That's why you need a couple of helping hands so that the work gets done faster!
* Do not go for a small pond for goldfish because they need space. Also try and keep different levels of depth, as in a swimming pool. Mark out the shallow areas and the deeper areas. This would give the pool a natural variety.
* Usually ponds in moderate climates should be at least 2 feet deep while in more colder climates, you would need to make sure that the pond is deep enough to allow for at least 12" to 16" of water below the freeze zone.
* Dig according to the shape you want and dig a shelf-like level around the perimeter of the pond, which is about one foot deep and one foot wide. Also make provisions for a waterfall by digging a slight slope to one end.
* Time now to position the external pond filters. If you have pond skimmers as well, then you would need to place and level these in the proper places. Also dig a ditch to the external pond pump from the skimmer and from the pump to the external pond filter or waterfall.
Time to line
* Now you have to line the pond with what is called as Pond Underlayment. This is a lining that can be cut according to the shape needed and can be taped together. This underlayment will help the pond lining to stay in place.
* You can now put the rubber pond liner into pond and spread it out.
* Make sure you smoothen the folds and position it evenly. Some folds will still be there but the water will take care of that.
Time for filters and waterfalls
* As the lining is in place, you must now get the Pond waterfalls and streams positioned. Place them to spill directly into the pond and put the pond liner against the pond filter.
* You can use a stone and secure it to the liner with mortar or expandable foam. This will hold back the water allow it to spill over the stone creating the waterfall.
Time to connect Now you will have to do all the connections as in connect the pond liner to the skimmer and position all the pipes and tubing according to the instructions given.
Time to decorate
* You're almost done. Use the copingstones to edge the outline the pond by arranging them around the pond folding the pond liner up behind the stone, slightly above the water level. (Use the mortar to if you feel the stones are not heavy enough to be stable). Add some shrubs around the edges too.
* You can create a cobblestone beach edging with gravel and cobbles.
* Make it look as natural as possible and keep a lot of plants to add on later, once the water is in.
Fill it up!
* Open the tap and fill it up with water till it is a few inches from the top and then make corrections if necessary to ensure that the pond is level. As the pond is filling remove wrinkles and make folds as necessary.
* Add dechlorinator to the pond to remove any chlorine or chloramines.
* Put in the gravel and plant the root plants into the gravel or with some soil still attached into the gravel. Plants should be added immediately after the pond is ready. Make sure you plant enough of Anacharis, as this plant helps to fight the algae and is like a natural filter. Put in water lilies as they help to shade the fish.
* Also add packaged bacteria to seed the pond filter and pond.
Point to note: Do not add the goldfish right after you build the tank. You must allow the pond to cycle and create the bacteria and other sustenance needed to support the fish. Introduce you goldfish into the pond after several weeks.
Dane Stanton - www.goldfish-secrets.com
Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit www.goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics. *Recommended*
professional maid services Glencoe ..Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More
* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More
Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More
Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
Boy or Girl?How can you tell whether your Goldfish is... Read More
As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More
With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most... Read More
Many pet owners often wonder if it's worth it to... Read More
How important is a dog name? Well let's think about... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
last minute cleaning help Lincolnshire ..Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More
Dog Shock CollarsDog shock collars are a touchy subject among... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More
Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More
You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More
She is the protector of cats, women and children. The... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
Do you want a long and healthy life for your... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More
Pet |