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Archive for Build
Jan
03
Build a Pond in your Backyard
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have ever thought about having a pond in your backyard, why not build one yourself?
If you enjoy working on projects, this is one that will not only add beauty to your property, it will be the perfect area for you to relax and unwind after a stressful day. The following tips will help you determine what type of backyard pond you want to build.
Consider whether you want a fish pond or a water garden. A larger pond will be required if you want to have both fish and plants. You should also think about the position of the pond in your backyard; are there any tree roots or rocks to interfere with it and is there electricity within reach if you are going to install a pump.
When building your pond you have three alternatives:
1. Preformed plastic pond – This is the least expensive way to have a pond in your backyard, and the easiest. This is perfect for the beginner with no experience.
2. Concrete basin – This is the most expensive way of constructing a pond and needs some skill to complete.
3. Basin with vinyl liner – This is less costly than building a concrete pond, but the skill level is still fairly high. This method can produce fantastic results, and you can create waterfall landscapes for a realistic look.
The biggest problem with using a vinyl liner in your pond is creating a layer of support that will protect it from damage once the weight of the water is applied. Avoiding damage caused by dogs, mice, birds, tree roots and rocks is also an added worry. The liner is fairly costly and installation can be difficult especially if you do not have any help. This is probably not what you want for a do-it-yourself project, especially if you are on a tight budget.
The easiest backyard pond solution for a DIY project is the preformed plastic basins. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, just choose your design, take it home and place it in the hole you have prepared. You will be fairly restricted to the size of pond you can have but they are a great solution if you only require a smallish one. Most people find the sound of running water calming and relaxing so you can also add a waterfall to your pond.
Of course the choice is yours. If you consider yourself a handyman or can get an experienced friend to help then you can build a pond using any of these methods. All are beautiful, and with the addition of exotic plants and eye-catching fish will give you many hours of enjoyment, as well as added property value.
Even if you don’t possess the skills necessary to build a concrete or vinyl lined pond, you may have friends or know someone who could help. It all depends on your budget. If you have more to spend, your options are open. Decide what your budget will allow and what your preference is, and get started on a fun project – build a backyard pond!
Dec
29
How Not To Build Koi Fish Ponds
Posted by: | CommentsAs the hobby of Koi-keeping becomes more popular, so the building of Koi fish ponds in people?s backyards has seen a rise in numbers over recent years. The chance to own and care for these beautiful sociable creatures entices many to start, what often turns out to be, a life-long hobby. In this article, as a beginner Koi enthusiast, you will learn a few what-not-to-dos when it comes to Koi pond building.
Remember, first of all, that once Koi fish ponds are built, they are permanent structures so careful thought and planning beforehand are crucial to the success of constructing Koi ponds. Do not, for example, choose a location where the entire Koi fish pond will be exposed to direct sunlight all the time. Koi fish ponds need to be shady but not completely in the dark so don?t build them next to large trees either.
Keep in mind that Koi fish are capable of growing to enormous sizes. A mature Koi has a length of about 36 inches but some have been known to grow even bigger than this. Whatever you do, avoid building a small pond or you will live to regret it! The size of your Koi fish pond needs to take into account the length these fish will grow as well as the number of Koi you intend to keep.
In addition, do not build a shallow Koi pond and think that this will be adequate. Shallow waters make Koi easy prey to predators like the blue heron but also it can cause large sudden changes in water temperature. The latter is harmful to Koi as it will cause the fish undue stress which will reduce their immune system and in turn make them vulnerable to viruses and infections. Therefore, for the purpose of Koi protection from predators as well as to keep pond water temperature stable, the recommended depth of a Koi fish pond is a minimum of 4 feet.
Speaking of predators, help to protect your beloved Koi by also making sure that the sides of the pond are built vertically steep and smooth. Avoid opting for ledges around the sides of the pond as raccoons have been known to use ledges to help them wade into the water and steal dinner for themselves.
Do not build a Koi fish pond without also building a quarantine tank where you can monitor new Koi fish for signs of illness prior to introducing them to the actual pond. A separate tank can also act as a hospital area for treating Koi when they are sick or injured.
Keep the shape of Koi fish ponds simple ? either round, square or rectangle. These shapes are easiest to clean via a filter. Do not think about building a Koi pond without installing a (preferably large) filtration system. Koi produces a lot of metabolic waste on a day-to-day basis which must be removed efficiently to keep the pond water as clean and clear as possible. This is vital to maintaining the health of these fish.
Koi fish ponds will also need a pump to move the water through the filters, an ultraviolet steriliser to stop algae from turning the water green, a pond water aerator and a pond heater. Without the latter, you may well end up losing a few Koi fish at the end of every cold winter.
Happy Koi-keeping!
Dec
16
Build Your Own Pond and Enjoy Spring in Style
Posted by: | CommentsAs spring approaches, our minds turn to the outdoors. Warm weather and sunshine begs us to come outside to enjoy it. For many people, watching the fish and plants or listening to the gurgle of water from their very own pond is an ideal way to spend the spring and summer days.
Water features are an attractive way to add value to your property. They can create an attractive focal point for an outdoor area. Depending on the size of pond you want and the area you are installing it into, they can be set into the ground or contained above ground. If you want to set a small pond into your lawn, decide on a size, and then choose either a soft or molded liner. Concrete can also line a pond, but the pre-formed molded liners seem the simplest. Dig a hole and set the liner in. Choose a pump with a filter, and carefully follow the manufacturers instructions for setting it up. In addition to a filter, many pond enthusiasts insist that a UV light is essential to keeping your pond clean.
If you prefer a movable water feature, or are confined to a deck or patio space, a pond can be created in any large, water-tight pot. Most garden centers carry these, as well as molded plastic inserts that can be set into cut-in-half barrels. Be sure to choose a light-duty pump with a range that will stay well within your small container pond. Water splashing out of the pond will mean more wear to the surface it is on, and you will need to add fresh water more often to keep your pond full.
Pond plants, and even fish are what make these outdoor water features so exciting. Do some research into what will thrive in your climate, and check out garden centers to see what’s available. Water hyacinth is a unique plant with large round bulbs underneath its leaves. These bulbs are made up of a foamy substance that holds air, allowing the plants to float on the surface of the water. The foliage looks lovely, and the flowers they produce are even lovelier. Their feathery roots extract the nutrients they need right out of the water.
Some plants, like water lilies, need to be rooted in soil. They can be purchased in pots and placed in a pond. The lily pads will then grow up and float on the surface of the pond. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get some flowers. Of course, these are only suitable for bigger ponds, as the pot and leaves both require a good deal of space. Other potted pond plants include those called emergent plants, and include bull rushes and aquatic grass varieties whose fronds emerge from the water and grow upwards. For smaller ponds, there are a variety of very tiny floating plants such as duckweed. In bunches, these plants cover the surface of a pond like a soft, green mat. Ideally, there will be patches of green and patches with visible water. If the duckweed proliferates to the point where it smothers the surface, some may need to be removed.
As for fish, ask at the pet store what type of fish are suitable. Koi are a classic, but are best in large ponds. Chances are you will end up with goldfish, as some varieties are very hearty, and can even live through the winter in some climates. If you live in a climate that freezes for long periods during the winter, you may need to transfer your fish to an indoor tank during these months. Overfeeding your fish can lead to a clogged pond filter. Outdoor fish eat algae and bug larvae, so will need less commercial food than indoor fish.
Lou Lynch is an Associate Broker at Nutshell Realty, a professional real estate firm serving the Ulster County real estate market. Lou’s focus is assisting families and individuals in the buying and selling of Ulster County homes. For more information check out www.nutshellrealty.com
Dec
08
Build An Easy Koi Fish Pond.
Posted by: | CommentsEasy To Build Backyard Koi Fish Pond With Full Illustrations, EBook(R) & Bonus.
Nov
21
How To Build A Pond With A Waterfall
Posted by: | CommentsWhat type of pond
You should consider first what type of pond you want, in this case pond with waterfall feature. Would it be a home for fish and plants, these are things that you should take into consideration as well. But please keep in mind the most common mistake made when constructing a pond is the size, do not make it too small, if you decide to add fish at a later date, it will only make you more work as your pond may not be big enough.
Location
You will enjoy your pond more if you install it close to your home, or window, this way you can watch all the wild life visiting all year round. The pond needs to be located away from any drain pipes, keeping it away from any run off of rain, as this may contain contaminates. Also do not build your pond too near to trees as you will always have to be removing dead leaves and debris. Try to position your pond where it will receive a maximum amount of direct sunlight, this will aid the growth of plant life.
Determine the size and shape of your pond
This can easily be done by using a length of rope or string, or even a garden hose pipe. Lay the rope down where you require to the shape you want, you can then either peg the rope down, or use chalk powder. Now you can start to excavate, digging it to approximate six inch depth, making this the first shelf., this is called the coping shelf, dig down a further twelve inches making this the second shelf, and then a further six inches to the base of the pond. The reason for this shelving is for different types of plant life, and maybe the fish you are going to put into your pond. Remember a larger pond is more stable and easier to keep.
Construction
Once you have got your pond excavated and ready, you need to line the hole with soft sand, minimum of half an inch thickness, and pat down firmly. You are now ready to line your pond. You can buy pond liners from any good garden centre or pond specialist. Determining the size of your pond liner is simple, measure the maximum length and width, add the depth twice to these measurements, plus a foot or two for overlap and this will give you the size. Lay the liner into the bottom of the pond and feed it into the contours of the shape, remembering first to remove your shoes before getting into the pond. Once you have completed all the contours pushing the liner into the back of the shelves, keeping folds to a minimum, start to fill your pond.
Waterfall
This is the time to start construction of your waterfall, first we raise the level to make a slope for your waterfall, this can be achieved by either a pre-formed waterfall mould, or you can make it yourself by using stones, or soil remembering to shelve it up to the desired height, cover this with more soft sand then place either your preformed waterfall mould or rubber liner, making sure if you use the liner that you have it pushed well back into all the recesses. Then you can add an external water tank, which will re-circulate the water from the pond down through the water fall, to do this you will need either an electrical pump, or solar pump, you can both from a garden centres or pond specialists. The pump should be placed in the bottom of the pond with a feed pipe running to the waterfall tank, this pipe should be buried in the ground for safety reasons and not be unsightly,
The finishing touches
All around the pond, your first shelf which was called the coping shelf is now ready to have the coping stones put in place, these can either be decorative paving stone, or cobble stones, this holds the liner in place and gives wild life a way of climbing in and out of your pond. It does not harm adding a few stones onto the other shelves of your pond. This is also the time to add your plants such as water lilies, oxygenated plants and other decorative water plants that add colour to your pond throughout the year. Now you should link your pump to the power supply, switch on, and then you will see the water level go down, now add more water to just below the coping stones and then you have your final result.
Your pond will be a really nice relaxing feature in your garden, to watch and listen to on warm summer evenings.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For pond waterfalls, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of pond waterfalls.
Nov
13
How to Build a Koi Pond – The Basic Components
Posted by: | CommentsTo the novice a pond is a pond is a pond. When it comes to Koi ponds, this is a huge mistake. A koi pond is a complex water environment. Because of the nature of Koi fish – large and fast growing – the pond needs to be of adequate size.
There are many things you have to consider when you start a project to build a Koi pond. You have to provide for good water quality and filtration. Koi fish give off a lot of waste that needs to be continually removed from the pond. Good aeration is needed to keep the oxygen level right. There is also a variety of equipment that needs to be installed.
Don’t be short sighted when picking a location. Make sure you can enjoy your Koi pond the way you want to. Check the views from all angles – inside and outside. If you want to use excavation equipment, make sure there is easy access to the property.
Carefully plan the type construction you plan on using. There are basically two ways to go. You can have a liner pond or a concrete block pond. There advantages and disadvantages of both so consider both alternatives carefully. The liner pond is the simplest and least expensive route.
One basic component you’ll need to decide on is the type of filter system to use. There are many choices when it comes to filters but there are really two made categories – pump-fed and gravity-fed. Do some research to find the type of pump best suited for your pond design.
The type of filtration system to be used is a very important design consideration. You have to provide two types of filtration – mechanical and biological. Mechanical filtration breaks down and removes solid waste particles. Biological filtration supplies beneficial bacteria to breakdown pollutants in the water. There are different types of filtration systems to consider. You can choose a single chamber or multi chamber system. The single chamber, as the name implies, is one tank with a combination of filtering media such as aquarock and foam. These really don’t have the capacity for the load of a Koi pond. A multichamber system is the best choice for serious Koi ponds. These consist of between three and eight chambers depending on the size of the pond. The big advantage of these systems is that you can different filter material in each chamber. These are an ideal solution for most Koi ponds.
To keep the water moving through the filtration system, you have to have a pump. Again there are two basic designs available – submersible and external. Again, do some research before you select one. The submersible pumps are the simplest and are usually used either in the pond for a pump-fed system or in the last filter chamber of gravity fed system.
Hopefully you can see why I recommend careful planning before you start building a Koi pond. It is a large project with a lot of details and design decisions that need to be made. Save yourself frustration and money by doing the planning up front.
John Stoner is an author and Koi Fish Enthusiast. Learn more about how to build a Koi pond and many other secrets of Koi ponds and Koi care by getting a copy of his latest book Koi Care Made Easy.
