How to build a pond in 8 steps
Before getting started, you will first need to figure out why you want a pond.
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Is it for fish?
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Is it for your garden?
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Or is it to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere to help elevate your yard?
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Now that you've figured out the goal of what you want to achieve, let's get started!
Step 1: Pick a location
Start by looking for a good spot for your pond. Make sure there is enough space and there are no pipes or wires nearby. If you are unsure, then call 811 or visit 811beforeyoudig.com. Remember it's a great idea to search up pond ideas to help inspire you.​​ Measure the length, width, and depth that you want.
Step 2: Add Materials to cart
You will need the following:
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Underlayment (weed barrier works)
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Liner (rubber is best)
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Pump
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Skimmer box
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spillway
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filter media
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tubing
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Wool/Biodegradable material (for step 7)
Remember that you will need enough tubing to connect the pump to the spillway. The pump pulls water out while the spillway is putting water in the pond. You can get additional items like a UV clarifier or bio filter to keep your pond crystal clear. Adding these items to your cart and looking at the prices helps you get a better idea of the total cost of your pond. Then you can decide how much you want to put towards decorations like rocks, gravel, plants and so on. To find what size pump you need just multiply the length, width, height. Make sure you measured in feet and then multiply that by 7.48. This will tell you how many gallons your pond can hold. your pump should be this number per hour. For example, if my pond holds 300 gallons then my pump should be 300 GPH. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Dig
Rember, you need a spot for the skimmer. And the reason we are digging before buying our supplies is because this allows you to make any adjustments like adding in a new shelf. Remove any roots and rocks as you go.
Step 4: Buy your materials
If you made any changes to your pond size while digging than you originally planned, then this is the time to remeasure and then you can go ahead and buy all the material you need. Feel free to shop around to find deals but remember that you really should make sure your liner is good quality and unused as well as your pump and any other crucial components.
Step 5: Underlayment and liner
Now it's time to lay down your underlayment. This is just a fabric like weed barrier so that it helps protect the liner from plants that want to grow, roots, and rocks. If you are using rubber liner, then this isn't as important but it's still worth having that extra layer of protection. Then lay down your pond liner on top of your underlayment. The picture you see to the right is actually the rubber liner.
Step 6: Plumbing
Connect your skimmer to your liner and follow the instructions carefully and take your time. make sure your tubing connects to your pump, that you have enough to reach the spillway, and that you have access to power. Maybe you need an outdoor extension cord.
Step 7: Decorate
Now it's time to start adding rocks. I like to have at least 3 different sizes of rocks. put down a biodegradable material like wool weed barrier or coffee sacks so that bigger and heaver rocks don't puncture your pond liner. Take your time and remember bigger rocks are good for putting against walls and smaller rocks are great for filling in gaps, and sand or pea gravel is great for the flat parts/shelves.
Step 8: Fill and run
This is a great time to check to make sure you don't see any tears in the liner and that you like your decorating job. Do your final touches at this point. Then fill it up with water and test your plumbing, make any fixes as needed. Let your pond run for a day or two before adding plants. We want to test for any leaks at this time.
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Notes:
To the right you can see the first pond I built in my dad's front yard. Can you spot the mistakes? Exactly! The liner is showing because I didn't add a shelf, the pump is out because I didn't have a skimmer box, and I should have covered the bottom in gravel not the stones (but that's optional). You can pull off using flat rocks like slate, but remember, they will never look as natural.
Remember when adding plants and fish, you first will need your pond to run without them so that you're able to check for leaks. Then you can add plants first after a couple days. Then after a couple weeks you may add your fish. But just in case you can't wait that long, you can also add a pond/aquarium starter or water from your local pond, lake, or river in order to speed up the process.
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