• Location
• Design
• Determining Water Volume
• Determining Liner Size
• Plants
• Fish
• Dechlorinating Your Pond
• Filtration
• Mosquito Control

Location
In choosing the location for your pond you will want to pick a site that will give you the most enjoyment from your pond. The pond design featured on this web site allows for flexibility in its presentation. It can be showcased at the entry of a home or on a backyard patio. If small children will have access to your pond use caution, as no small child should be left unattended around water. Also, be sure a grounded electrical outlet is available. If aquatic plants will be used in your pond try to position the pond so that the plants will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.

Design
After you have chosen the location for your water garden, you must choose the design of your pond. Since landscaping blocks are utilized in the featured pond, a variety of shapes are achievable. Although a semi-kidney shaped was utilized in the featured pond, you can try different shapes until you find the one you like the most. You must also decide whether you will keep fish, such as goldfish, in your pond.

Determining Water Volume
If fish will be kept in your pond, one of the most important things you must know is how much water is in your pond. Knowing the water volume will help you to determine the appropriate amount of dechlorinator to add to your pond. Also, this measurement will be important if any fish medications need to be added in the future. To calculate the water volume of your pond two methods can be used. The first involves using the formula: Volume = (length) x (width) x (depth) x 7.5. The answer will give you the water volume of your pond. This formula is ideal for square or rectangular shaped ponds. If your pond is irregularly shaped, such as a kidney or oval shape the following method can be utilized. First obtain a 5 gallon bucket. Using a watch, record the time it takes to fill the bucket. Next, while keeping the water at the same rate of flow, record the amount of time it takes to fill the pond. Let¡¦s say it takes 1 minute to fill the 5 gallon bucket with water and it takes 15 minutes to fill your pond. In this scenario multiplying 15 x 5 means there would be approximately 75 gallons of water in the pond.

Determining Liner Size
To determine the dimensions of the liner you will need, take the desired length and width of your pond and add two times the desired maximum depth. You will need some overlap on the pond sides to secure the liner in place, so add an additional 1.5 ft to 2 ft to these figures. For example: For a finished pond that measures 10 ft long x 15 ft wide x 1.5 ft deep, you will need a 15 ft x 20 ft liner.

Plants
Plants can really enhance your pond. They give it a natural and inviting look. Before choosing plants it is important to do a little research. You can speak with a garden specialist at your local garden improvement store or you can purchase a book on aquatic plants. There are many different varieties of plants all with different needs. Some are cold hardy while others need lots of sun. The depth of your pond will also determine what type of plants will be good for your pond as some plants prefer deep water while others prefer shallow water. Bog plants such as iris and elephant¡¦s ear grow in shallow water. These can be put in pots and placed 4 to 8 inches below the water surface. If your pond is deep you can elevate the pots by placing them on bricks. Floating plants such as lilies can be potted 18 to 24 inches below the surface so that there foliage floats on the surface. Other floaters such as water hyacinths float freely in the pond while their roots dangle. Some plants can be grown on the bottom of the pond. Generally, these provide oxygen for fish and act as natural filters. Also, plants can be placed around the exterior of your pond in decorative pots.

Fish
Fish can provide the finishing touch to a pond. Koi are one of the most popular species kept in water gardens. A word of caution, a koi is a scavenger with a very healthy appetite and you will not be able to keep submerged or floating plants in your pond. Even if you choose not to keep koi in your pond there are other species of fish to choose from. You can visit your neighborhood pet store for suggestions on which fish would be best for your pond. Start your pond off with just a few fish to allow your pond time to mature.

Dechlorinating Your Pond
Chlorine and chloramines have been added to tap water. To remove these chemicals from the water just add dechlorinator according to the directions on the bottle. Dechlorinator can be obtained at your local pet store.

Filtration
When choosing a filter for your pond try to match the filter capacity with the size of your pond. The filter should cycle at least 50 percent of the pond¡¦s capacity per hour. The pump you use should also cycle at least 50 percent of the pond water per hour.

Mosquito Control
Mosquitofish, which are minnows similar to guppies, can be used in a pond to control mosquitos. These fish feed on mosquito larvae. They grow about two inches in length and a single fish is capable of eating several hundred mosquito larvae a day.

There are also very selective insecticides than can be used as mosquito controllers. The mosquito larvae eat the insecticide and it kills them before they can mature into biting adults.