Creating a Pond Information?

Question

I live in VA and we're going to build a pond. How do you build one and what kind of animals can you keep in them without going through too much trouble. And how can i try to avoid snakes from the pond so my dog wont bother it?

Answer 1

***********NOTE*********************
Your pond does not need to look clear like a swimming pool or made out of concrete and it most certainly does NOT need to be dirty to be full of life.
Just do your research and look for pictures of clear water.


Best price on line for this type of liner
........Xavan Pond Liner 13.1' x 9.8'
http://acklenhousegifts.com/products.php?pid=2623&openparent=247
Most people use EPDM firestone liners
...........Geotextile Underlayment.........
Best prices and a price list in link below
Geotextile easily conforms to the ground or trench surface for trouble free installation
Geotextile has extremely high puncture and burst resistance
http://www.pondliner.com/Underlay.htm


This is better than using rugs this prevents rocks from working thru your liner
Also if you need to you can find seam tape to enlarge liner piece together.
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I myself like the Xavan it's more durable UV resistant and much lighter weight and easier to handle.
I Use Pondmaster Pumps .............They are magnetic drive use no oil that could leak in the pond and usually the only thing you have to replace is the impeller.
*****************************************I also use a PS4500 Atlantic skimmer
http://www.azponds.com/skimmers.htm#atlanticskimmer
Lifetime warranty and free shipping
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I use a FishMate Biological/UV filter 24 watts
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=5292&Ntt=fishmate%20compact%20uv%20bio%20filter&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=62728&Nty=1

UV & Bio Pond Filter
CE-11194 Compact 8W $104.99.........Sale price [$83.99]
CE-480446 Compact, 16W $144.99 [$115.99]
...........Pond-Zyme Plus.................
http://www.watergarden.org/s.nl/it.A/id.197/.f?sc=2&category=5
I use this as well 100% all natural to keep water crystal clear and healthy for your fish .................
Specially selected bacterial strains in Pond-Zyme Plus quickly break down pond sludge, converting it into harmless minerals and water.


..................Air Pumps....................
http://www.azponds.com/air_pumps.htm
Laguna Aeration Kit
Pond Size Cubic Inches Per Minute MAX Watts PSI Special
2000 305 4.5 4.0 Constant $39.95
BUY TWO FOR $34.50 EACH FREE SHIPPING!
I actually have 3 as I grew so did the equipment.

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...............NOTE........................
When you put one in if it's small you will make a bigger one within a year.
so you might as well make it big to begin with.
........................Me..........................
90 gal preform Sept
225 gal preform following April
450 gal liner October
600 gal liner March
2000 gal xavan liner September
My daughter says no more cause they will start charging us lake front property tax.
But Mommie does what she wants , next month I'm adding another 1000gallons.
Good Luck! It's the best hobby I've ever had.
I have so many goldfish every year I have to give them away..........if you buy Koi buy no more than 2 they get too big. They will eat out of your hand.
Just research everything about ponds and fish and what they eat.
That news letter I recommended I found out that Koi can become sunburned and they like to eat slices of oranges and pink grapefruit and dark green leaves of romaine.
You can keep frogs, turtles the snakes come by themselves.....You can watch the birds bathe and drink water and the Doves nest in the tall grasses.

How to Build A Water Garden or Fish Pond
http://www.watergarden.com/pages/build_wg.html
Calculators and other OnLine tools to help
plan & build a water garden or pond!
Pond Volume Calculator
Pond Liner Size Calculator
Surface Area Calculator
Selecting the Proper Pond Filter System
Selecting the Proper pond Size Pump
Detailed Information about Rubber Pond Liner
Our Pond Kits range in size from 225 gallons to 13,000 gallons in size.
*******************************************
...........This place knows the most.........about the process
http://www.pondmarket.com/on-line_news_letter.htm
The Splash : Our Popular Newsletter
.........Free online paper sign up.........
................Good Pictures
Otto, the resident frog who does not hide from visitors

This place has about the best prices.
http://www.azponds.com/

Answer 2

Creating a pond or water feature in your garden can be very rewarding. You didn't mention the size that you are contemplating, so it's kind of hard to answer your question with any accuracy. Small ponds (under 500 sf) can be more work than a large pond of an acre or more. The larger bodies of water have a larger ecosystem that will balance itself without much human intervention if properly set up and generally don't require filter systems.

As far as avoiding snakes, your are pretty much at the mercy of mother nature, especially the larger the size of your pond.

Answer 3

You need some basic supplies. your list needs to have a good pump, 110 volts. Pond liner, pond matting, a purifalls system, a pump box, which is called a skimmer box. You will also need some schedule 40 1-1/4" pipe. you will also need a ball valve for flow control. The process will take quite bit. When you dig the hole make sure and terrace the sides so you can stack rock on the sides and make a ledge around the pond in order to restrict animals from killing your fish in the pond. You can look online at a website called pondmaster. that should help.

Answer 4

I am assuming you mean a smaller,ornamental pond. That's what I built in my back yard. Just use your imagination and add a waterfall or some other feature. Remember , YOU are its creator so you can design it as you see fit!
Also, go to websites that will show you how to build your own bio-filter. That is what I did and it helps keep the water clear without chemicals which I need since I have goldfish in mine. Don't be alarmed, a "bio-filter" sounds intimidating but they are simple to build and can cost as little as $20 to make your own.

Answer 5

Get a pond liner so it does not percolate into the soil or use bentonite. it rather is a sort of clay that doesn't enable the water drain. make certain you dig it super sufficient for the lining to be below the water or this is going to likely be grotesque. you are able to placed the lining below water and seal the perimeters with bentonite.Rocks and good landscaping will help cover the lining too. Use water flora to create a healthful and alluring atmosphere. Mosquito fish will help shop the chook flu away. make beneficial the water sits for a mutually as no count if it rather is clorinated or the flora and fish ought to die. The clorine will expend in an afternoon or so.

Answer 6

1. if you build a pond, you will get frogs
2. snakes like frogs
3. your pond will have algae in it and it will look dirty
4. you can pour chemicals in the pond to make the water clear, but obviously you won't have any animals living in it
5. you can use a pump to filter the pond, but the pump will probably clog up from large debris like leaves
6. when you see a nice pond in a showroom, it's probably inside, under cover, which keeps the debris out and it's easy to maintain
7. your pond will probably be outside, so it will either look like a swimming pool with concrete bottom and sides, with chemicals, without animals, or else it will look like a natural pond - brown and murky, but full of frogs, turtles, mosquitos, snakes, lizards, fish, birds and chipmunks, and flowers - bigger animals require smaller animals to feed on, which in turn require algae to feed on
8. if your pond is outside, you can't have it both ways - either you have a crystal clear pool devoid of life or a dirty muddy pond full of life, or else consider building a sunroom or conservatory around your pond