Pond Design Fundamentals:
Plan your pond design to be attractive in shape
and large enough to make a statement!
There are endless options for a pond design that can be very attractive and, can be incorporated into almost any landscape.
Japanese water garden design, for example, is an excellent source if ideas and techniques. Unlike formal ponds, informal water garden design fits comfortably in any space.
The knowledge I gathered over the years will help you to avoid costly mistakes in your pond design, save time and efforts. Whatever design you choose, remember the rule: Keep it simple!
But first let me tell you my story!
Our house is colonial style, but not distinctly formal. We thought that informal water garden design or maybe even koi pond design would be a good choice.
Our yard size is only 1/3 of an acre, but has a very relaxed setting. On both sides of our property, neighbors put-up attractive fences. That made our property more secluded. The woods, about 100 feet away behind our house, are in protected natural conservation area.
After examining the backyard again, I decided on the location near the woods. Once built, it should fit well in the overall backyard landscape and far enough for us to enjoy it while sitting on a deck.
The area gets about eight hours of sunlight in the summer, and since we were going to have a water garden design with aquatic plants and fish, the amount of sun I thought was perfect.
The wooded area had all kinds of trees but I didn’t know that holly, laburnum, and yew trees are toxic to fish.
Maple, oak and pine needles are able to produce tannic acid in water as well.
I am surprised that my fish is still alive. I suppose the neutralizing pond chemicals that I use helped.
Here are some of many subjects I will discuss in greater details. The purpose is to help you in planning out structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical designs before proceeding with actual construction.
Starting From Scratch:
Round or rectangular shapes are perfect a patio garden or a small pond design in a formal garden setting. Free form water garden design, pea shape as an example, blends well in overall design.
Concrete pond design was out of the question. Too much work I thought!
Molded liners aren’t made large enough, therefore, the Firestone PondGuard 45 mil EPDM rubber pond liner became my choice. For water garden design it offered construction flexibility, the best durability, fish safety and long life.
To maintain clear and healthy water, there are many choices for making the best filter system. Plant roots are the best for total natural filtration.
Filter foam or brushes are excellent mechanical filters. Lava rock, foam, shaved PVC or gravel is a great biological filter.
I chose to install electrical circuitry with a 30 amps residual current circuit breaker. This could easily handle multiple electrical outlets, which were going to be used for water pumps, UV sterilizer, low-voltage pond lights, pond heater and more.
Warmer water of course will promote growth of algae that is unsightly and effects water quality. Ultraviolet pond light helps to reduce algae growth. I have the ultraviolet pond light with only one 40 watts bulb but it does the job well. With resent structural changes in our water garden design, I can now add two more UV sterilizers, if needed.
Also, during the hot summer days, 70% of surface in our pond covered by plants. Lilies, marginal plants and floating island gardens provide enough shade for the fish and keep water cooler.
Originally I bought a cast iron submersible water pump. But later, when I decided to add a pond skimmer, I replaced it with a high capacity stainless steel submersible pump. Smart move!
If you are planning to add Koi to your pond, bear in mind that Koi pond design must have larger volume of water, should be longer but not necessarily deep. You will love watching your Koi moving in long sweeps back and forth.
Maintenance of a water garden doesn’t have to be a real nightmare. Apply some of our steps to your water garden design to create a low maintenance clean pond.
I would love to hear your best experiences and your most interesting information about your pond designOr if you have a general story on this subject, I am sure others who visit this site will thank you, too!
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