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*
tidy up service Northbrook ..Your poor pooch is scratching himself all over. Plus, you... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
Pet DoorsAre you considering installing a pet door for your... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
As all cat owners know, a feline can be a... Read More
Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Brings live to your community tanksMany freshwater fish-keepers have a... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Every month I am approached by dog owners of my... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
The West Highland White Terrier or Westie, has it's origin,... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More
What is Canine Bloat?Bloat refers to the bloating of the... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have... Read More
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close... Read More
If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More
What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
So you have a mature pair of discus fish that... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
Puppies and dogs, as mentioned, are social creatures. When they... Read More
I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have.... Read More
Brings live to your community tanksMany freshwater fish-keepers have a... Read More
The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior... Read More
Pet |