Preformed ponds have become one of the most popular ways for anyone to get started in ponding. They make installation and operating a small pond about as simple as it can get, although there’s still a bit of work to get them going. If you’re not familiar with a preformed pond shell, this article will be a great introduction.
A garden pond can do wonders to enhance the beauty of any garden, large or small. One of the simplest and most affordable ways to create a garden pond in the yard is to purchase a preformed pond. There are preformed ponds in all shapes, sizes and styles; these can be easily purchased via an online retail website or even some local lawn and garden centers. You may also find other pond building supplies such as a pond liner and pond kits that will enable a person to set the pond up and maintain it on a regular basis. There are also a number of preformed pond spillways that can be purchased online; these are added onto a preformed pond in order to create a small waterfall.
Selecting A Pond Site
Before setting up a preformed pond in the yard, one should consider not only aesthetics but also practical matters. Most preformed ponds are installed near the house, as the pond pump and filter need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. While an electrician can be hired to put in an electrical outlet in a remote corner of the yard, this can be quite pricey.
A preformed pond should not be installed under a tree in most cases. In the fall, trees will shed their leaves and one will need to spend extra time clearing dead leaves from the pond. The tree’s roots usually extend for quite a distance and can cause damage to the pond as they grow in the pond’s direction. While many people like to install a pond in the shade of a tree, this is in most cases not advisable.
Installing a pond at the bottom of a slope should also be avoided. Rainwater will run down the slope and bring with it debris that will then flow down into the pond. This will not only ruin the beauty of the pond but can also harm the pond fish if fertilizers and weed killers are used in the garden on a regular basis. Install a pond in a flat area, a fair distance away from trees, and close enough that the pond pump can be easily plugged into an electrical outlet.
Want A Fish Pond?
Having fish in the garden pond will greatly enhance the beauty of any pond. It is important to be aware of what types of fish live well in a preformed pond. Calico Goldfish, Koi and Comet Goldfish are all good fish to put in a pond, as they are resilient and do well in an outdoor pond. These fish are not only easy to care for that will also help to keep the pond clean by eating some types of algae.
Be aware, and this goes in particular for koi fish, that fish will grow in size and expand in number and as they do, the time may come when they overwhelm a small pond. It’s important to keep this from happening by giving extra fish to friends or other pond owners when necessary.
A good rule of thumb is to allow 10 gallons of water for every inch of goldfish that you have and up to 25 gallons of water for every inch of koi.
Pond Care And Cleaning
For any new pond owner it needs to be kept in mind that ponds are often not a “set it and forget it” type of thing. They take routine maintenance and cleaning. Be sure to remove any grass clippings, leaves, and other debris that may fall in the pond.
It’s also a good idea once you start up the pond that you add some beneficial pond bacteria to the water to help keep things in balance and this will help keep a pond cleaner. Be sure to have a good biofilter in place if you have fish, or a good mechanical filter if you don’t, just to help maintain better water quality and cleanliness.
And finally, be sure to make a habit of spending a bit of time with your pond on a routine basis. By keeping up with things, you’ll never get so far behind that pond cleaning ends up being a major chore.
Simple Steps For The Perfect Pond
In summary, when purchasing a preformed pond, it is important to do some research first.
Choose a suitable area of the yard to install the pond in and measure the area to ensure the pond that is purchased is neither too large or too small.
The next step is purchasing suitable fish for the pond; since in most cases pond fish do better with ample room to swim around, be sure to not purchase too many.
Lastly, be prepared to regularly clean and maintain the pond, in order to ensure that it stays in peak condition at all times.