November 18th, 2009

Pond Building – Filter’s Function

A common concern for pond building and maintenance is how you end up handling the various kinds of debris that will eventually end up in your pond. Keeping your pond clean can be pretty difficult, but with the proper equipment, minimizing the effort you take to keep your backyard pond healthy and clean is a little bit easier.

Water Filter

Keeping the filter clean is essential for a healthy pond

One of the first things you can do is attach a filter to your pond’s water pump. This should help you in trapping any unwanted elements. The only downside to getting a filter is that you’ll have to take the filter out and clean it once in a while, but this is a lot simpler when compared to going around the pond with a net in order to chase down every floating piece of debris. A properly filtered pond can stay clean for many, many years. Continue reading Pond Building – Filter’s Function

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November 9th, 2009

Pond Building – The Water Pump

A long time ago, you needed complex plumbing just to move water to a fountain or waterfall. These days, all you need is a water pump to add streams, sprays, jets, gurgling streams and splashing waterfalls to your outdoor pond.
Water PumpPumps are split into two types; external and internal. Internal pumps are usually strong enough for most home ponds. The more powerful external pumps are designed for large ponds and water features.
Each pump differs in power, electrical consumption, installation and maintenance. Some installations may require the help of a professional, although most pumps for home use can be set up in just minutes.

Continue reading Pond Building – The Water Pump

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October 30th, 2009

Pond Building – Water Features

Water features can greatly change the appearance of a pond. Adding a fountain of flying water to a flat, simple looking pond instantly changes it from dull to dramatic. A pond that mimics nature can be enhanced by the mesmerizing splash and gurgle of a waterfall.
But don’t think that water features are simply for show. The addition of moving water to a pond environment provides aeration, an invaluable part of pond maintenance.

A water feature can dramatically improve your pond

A water feature can dramatically improve your pond

Importance of Aeration
Ammonia and nitrites are toxic elements produced by your pond’s wildlife. If left unchecked, your pond would quickly become uninhabitable for both plants and fish.
Water features such as fountains and waterfalls aerate the water, promoting the growth of the friendly bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrites. Continue reading Pond Building – Water Features

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October 24th, 2009

Pond Building – Edging Your Pond

Kid on edge

Pond Edging Should be Stable and Safe

In nature, the division between land and water is normally defined by a pebbled beach, an outcropping of rock, or a sheer cliff face.  A definite border exists between the two elements, and this should be your model when you start a pond building project. The edging of your pond should not only be beautiful, it should also be made of materials that are stable, solid and strong enough to carry the weight of people who come to admire your pond. Continue reading Pond Building – Edging Your Pond

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October 21st, 2009

Pond Building – Installing The Liner

Installing a Flexible Liner

Installing a Flexible Liner

First thing you do if you want to make your pond liner last long is to make sure that the hole you’ve dug for it is free of sharp rocks and roots that may puncture your liner. This is true for both flexible and pre-formed liners, although the latter is typically more resilient.

Be prepared to purchase specialized underlayment if the pond site cannot be entirely cleared of debris. The next steps for liner installation will be determined by the type of liner you are using.

Pre-formed Liner
If you are using a pre-formed liner, your greatest challenge during your pond building’s installation period is keeping the pond level.
After placing the liner in the hole, you need to slowly fill it up with water, back-filling the hole with soil or sand as you go. Periodic stops should be taken to check if the liner is still in proper shape and level.
Once the liner is filled, you can move on to add the edging to your backyard pond. Continue reading Pond Building – Installing The Liner

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