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Planning is the key to any successful project, taking into consideration all of the elements of a healthy pond. Our Pond Planning Guide provides answers to the most common questions.
Pond Planning Guide
Here are some important points to consider:
Simply follow this Planning Guide, as well as the compatibility listings on our colour-coded product packaging, to partake in a fun outdoor project and create a visual oasis that will provide years of enjoyment.
Before You Begin…
Like any project around your home, planning is the key element to a successful outcome.
An important first step is to decide whether you want a decorative pond for sight and sound purposes only, or a functional water garden that includes plants, fish and other aquatic life.
This decision helps to make an informed purchase of the most important components of your pond project:
LINER – to shape and hold the water
PUMP - to circulate the water effectively
The most common mistake people make is not building their pond big or deep enough for future development, which may include functional features.
Safety First!
We recommend considering safety when choosing your pond location and style, especially if children or pets have access to the area.
Please check local building codes regarding maximum depths, and whether fencing or protective barriers are required to restrict access.
Ensuring the area is free from any underground utilities before digging begins is also essential. Remember: “Call before you dig!”
Energy Use Considerations
Electrical costs and environmental concerns suggest consumers consider a review of energy use during the planning stage.
The size of pump you choose is related to the amount of water sound it will generate, and also directly affects the operating cost of your project.
If a waterfall or feature requires a pump that is well beyond our recommended circulation requirements, we suggest a two-pump system.
A primary pump can be used to meet the minimum circulation requirements of your pond. Solar pumps are also capable of providing this requirement for smaller ponds.
A secondary pump that powers the dynamic visual component can be placed on a timer or remote control for use only when needed.
Lights can be placed on the same circuit for added convenience and savings.
Energy consumption is detailed on all of our packaging. The Pond Building Series™ prides itself on having some of the “best in class” efficiency ratings across the spectrum of products required to complete your project.
Location
The most important advice for choosing a location is to find an area that offers enough level space in a “high ground” area of your yard. Avoiding low lying and soggy areas offers the best protection against water runoff causing flooding or unwanted residues of herbicides, pesticides or hazardous garden chemicals entering and affecting your pond’s ecosystem.
Ensure enough level ground surface is available for the entire pond area. Uneven installations will cause the pond to look lopsided in relation to the surrounding landscape.
An emphasis on creating viewpoints from the most commonly used areas of your yard, deck or patio, coupled with a line of sight from inside your home, is also highly recommended.
If you are creating a pond that requires electricity, access to GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) power at a safe distance (five feet) is important. Please follow all local electric codes, and use properly rated components when adding this feature to your project.
Functional ponds need an adequate amount of sunlight. An average of six hours of sunlight per day is required for ponds that contain plants or fish. Ponds with aquatic life also need an area that offers shade during the hottest parts of the day. During the peak summer months, we recommend that up to 60 percent of the pond surface be covered in plants to reduce stress and prevent the water from overheating.
While a balance of sun and shade is ideal, ponds should not be located directly under trees. Consider adding protection from falling leaves or other organic debris that can decompose in the bottom of your pond without adding potentially toxic elements to your fish or plants.
Size, Shape, & Depth
For decorative ponds, the size and shape are limited only by your imagination and available space. Depth is not as critical a component as with a functional pond, and must simply be deep enough to provide sufficient water for your pump and hide the plumbing components from view.
Functional ponds should be a minimum of 18 inches in depth to accommodate plant life, with deeper areas in the 24- to 36-inch range as a minimum for exotic Koi fish.
The ideal functional pond would have shallow areas for plants and deep areas to successfully support fish and balance your pond’s ecosystem.
Creating shelves near the perimeter, six to eight inches below the intended water surface, provides an area for plants and helps secure the liner. Walls at a 30 degree angle provide a smooth transition to the perimeter.
The location you choose for your pond affects the decision of a flexible liner or pre-formed shell. While both offer unique benefits, the flexible liner offers more size and shape options in a below-ground environment, while the pre-formed shell offers easier installation for above-ground ponds when properly supported.
Flexible liners allow very simple installation in free form shapes that accommodate your space and landscape surroundings. While preformed shells have a fixed capacity and size, flexible liners require a finished size calculation to properly fit your intended project size. The finished pond size is a key aspect and affects all other components you require. Most importantly, the finished size helps you calculate your pond volume so you can choose a pump that properly circulates your pond water.
Appearance & Sound
The Pond Building Series™ product line offers options from a simple reflection pond to a stunning display of water features. Whether you want the calming nature of a Zen-inspired stream or the rich sound of a dramatic waterfall, the colour-coded packaging will guide you to a project that meets your vision.
The simplest and least expensive feature of any pond is the fountain nozzle, which not only provides a pleasing sight and sound, but also aerates the water to provide a safe habitat for fish and plants. Bubbling and Bell fountain nozzles provide a reflective resonance, while the Trumpet and Tier nozzles offer a grand display along with a more powerful sound.
Spouting statues offer a charming accent and provide both sound and aeration, while decorative statues offer the ability to create or reinforce the theme of a garden and add a finishing touch.
Waterfalls and streams are a popular way to add a compelling visual element that is easy to construct starting with the waterfall weir. This component also provides a key filtration function.
The most common type of pond is a natural water garden that blends into and complements the surrounding landscape. The use of plants, stone, slate and decorative brick are common components used to finish this type of pond.
A formal pond can be either classic or contemporary in design, and is normally built above ground with a fountain as the centerpiece. Our assortment of decorative fountains can be easily adapted to a pond environment.
Whatever style of pond you build, submersible lighting is a dramatic yet cost-effective way to add another dimension and extend your enjoyment and viewing time.
A common challenge consumer’s face is keeping their pond water clean and clear. Our range of filtration components, combined with water treatments, provides attractive and healthy pond water to enhance the viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What material should I use to shape the pond and hold the water?
A: Each of the three types of material has unique benefits to consider. All of them are safe for fish and plants.
PVC Liner
Lowest Cost, great flexibility for custom shapes, Easy installation
EPDM Liner
Long Life Span, stronger than PVC, Easy Installation
Pre-Formed
hell Predefined shape and size, simple for above ground use (with proper support), long life span
Q: How do I calculate the required liner size I need to buy in relation to finished pond size?
A: The two basic ways of measurement depend on your project status:
To calculate full liner size based on a planned excavation:
Length = Maximum length, plus 2 times maximum depth, plus minimum 1 foot for overlay
Example: 6 feet long, + (1.5 feet deep x 2), + minimum 1 foot = 10 feet
Width = Maximum width, plus 2 times the depth, plus minimum 1 foot for overlay
Example: 11 feet wide, + (1.5 feet deep x 2), + minimum 1 foot = 15 feet
To calculate full liner size based on an existing excavation:
Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the length and width of the full basin area. Include all ledges and contours. Add a minimum of one foot overlay to each figure.
Q: What is the difference, and how do I calculate “actual” and “effective” pond volume?
A: Actual pond volume is the true amount of water your pond holds, while effective pond volume takes into effect both size and environmental considerations.
The basic calculation for establishing actual volume is to multiply:
Average length in feet, times average width in feet, x average depth in feet, times 7.5
Example: (3 ft. x 6 ft. x 1.5 x 7.5 = 202 gallons)
To calculate effective pond volume, add the following multipliers:
Ponds less than 100 gallons: +25%
Depths less than 2 feet: +25%
Ponds in full sun: +25%
Fish levels greater than 100 inches per 1000 gallons:
+25% to 50% based on pro-rated size increase.
Q: How often do I need to fully circulate the pond water?
A: This is the key calculation in choosing the right sized pump for your project.
We recommend a simple rule of circulating your actual pond volume 1.5 times per hour.
Example: A 400 gallon pond, with fountain nozzles and a small waterfall, works best with a 600GPH pump.
Minimum circulation rates are:
Ponds larger than 300 gallons – once every hour and a half of the effective pond volume.
Ponds less than 300 gallons – should use a minimum calculation of once per hour.
Be sure that you use your pump flow guide to calculate the gallons per hour your pump provides at your total head height.
Care must be taken not to over circulate a functional pond. Too much water flow makes it difficult for beneficial bacteria to grow and thrive.
Q: Can you suggest some component combinations for the available sized pond liners?
A: The following combinations will provide enough power for standard water features while offering proper circulation for the health of your pond:
- 6′ x 8′ Liner (2′ x 4′ x 1.5′ finished pond):
200GPH Pond Pump with Fountain Nozzles with a Spouting Frog or Turtle - 7′ x 10′ Liner (3′ x 6′ x 1.5′ finished pond):
200GPH or 400GPH Pond Pump with Fountain Nozzles, Spouting Frog or Turtle or Streamlet and Filter Box 600 - 10′ x 10′ or 8′ x 12′ Liner (6′ x 6′ x 1.5′ or 4′ x 8′ x 1.5′ finished pond):
400GPH Pond Pump with Fountain Nozzles or 600GPH Pond Pump Pro Grade with 10 Piece Nozzle Kit (If Pro Grade Pump used) Streamlet, or Waterfall course using 5′ x 5′ flexible liner, Filter Box 600 or Pond Filter Box 1500 - 10′ x 15′ Liner (6′ x 11′ x 1.5′ finished pond):
1000GPH Pond Pump Pro Grade with 10 Piece Nozzle Kit, Waterfall course using 5′ x 5′ flexible liner and Filter Box 1500
Q: How do I create a “balanced environment” in my pond?
Overfeeding fish is the #1 contributor to pond problems and should be avoided.
For best results functional (plants and fish) ponds should not be exposed to full sun, and have sufficient plant cover to offer shade during the peak heat times of the summer.
Filtration is the best way to achieve the balance required for a functioning pond application. Mechanical and Biological components protect your pump while improving water quality.
We recommend Microbe-Lift® brand products to help achieve the conditions necessary to maintain a clean and clear pond environment.
