|
Fish ponds can be a very creative way to decorate your yard, and to help your stress levels after a bad day or week. The first thing you need to do is plan your idea out on paper. You will want to find the best area of your backyard, preferably in a low traffic area as fish startle easily. Unless you have good knowledge of fish, it might be a good idea to talk to a pet store about which fish do well out doors and how much care would be needed as far as pond maintenance.
After you have your desired area planned out, you will need to decide whether you want a natural pond, or a plastic pond. Pre-made plastic ponds have their pros and cons. Pros include less labor, as you only have to dig the appropriate sized hole, insert the pond and then fill with water. Cons are that you usually need an elaborate filter system to keep the water flowing to help deter algae growth, at least in the beginning until you can get your fish set up. Most pond kits can be found at most home improvement stores.
Natural ponds offer a less 'man made' look, however require a little more on the labor and materials side. As with the pre made plastic ponds, you will need to dig the desired sized hole in the ground, however you will need to get a plastic liner to keep the water from soaking into the ground. These liners can usually be found at most home improvement stores in the garden department. You will need exact measurements when going to purchase the liners, this will help cut down on buying more material than you need. After you line the bottom of your pond with the plastic liner, you can then add decorative stones or sand to the bottom of the pond. These can also be found in the garden department and there are usually many choices to cater to many tastes. If you do not see something on the shelves that you like, ask a store associate. Sometimes a special item can be ordered at the same price if not a little more. After you make your selection, you want to put a good layer of the material on the bottom of the pond and depending on how steep the sides of your pond are, have it come up the sides. To cover the edges of the plastic liner, you can plant flowers or other plants around the edge, or cover it with decorative stones. You may also wish to add water plants to the pond, these can add a bright touch to the atmosphere and some types of plants can provide an extra source of food for your fish. This can also be discussed when you go to choose your fish.
Whatever choice you choose, pre made or natural, after your pond is set up you can fill it with water. If water treatment or a filter system is needed for the health of the fish, you will want to wait a couple days before adding your fish. After the required time period has passed, you will want to place you fish, still in their bag from the store. This will allow the fish to slowly become accustomed to the temperature differences between the store and their new home. Usually allow a couple hours for the water temperatures to even out. When this time has passed, slowly pour the fish into their new homes. You will want to keep the bag near the surface of the water to ease the transition between the two environments.
If you live in a geographical region where temperatures get cold, you may want to look into adding a water heater to your pond for those times when the weather turns cold. This will help keep your fish from freezing.
|
| |
