One of the most remarkable ways to upgrade your garden is to install an artificial pond and embellish it with floating plants, decorative stones, and other ornaments. The sound of the flowing water and the sight of swimming fishes will definitely transform a bland space into a majestic garden full of beauty and serenity.
For beginners, setting up a garden is a complicated task that requires proper planning especially in terms of its design and architecture. The good thing is that there are preformed garden ponds that come in all shapes and sizes to suit any style and purpose. When installed properly, preformed garden ponds will be able to last for several years. Here are the top three tips that you should consider when installing a preformed garden pond to get the most out of it.
- Choose a suitable location.
After checking with the local authorities regarding the laws on pond installation, the next step is to choose an ideal location in your backyard. Sunlight is one of the most important requirements of every garden pond so be sure that the pond gets plenty of it. Some of the other things that you should consider include the accessibility to the electricity source and the stability of the soil. While soil testing is effective in determining the level of water saturation, you can still reduce the risk of damages without spending more money. You can do this by fully or partially raising the preformed pond above the ground to reduce the pressure exerted around the rim of the pond. Also, keep the pond away from tree roots that may damage the lining.
Cover the gap between the pond and the ground using damp soil and use a spirit level to completely align the pond. Fill the pond with water and allow the pond to stabilize for at least seven days before decorating your pond.
- Anticipate the weather.
This step requires a good amount of knowledge regarding the climate and weather conditions of an area. In dry and warm climates, placing the pond near shade will be effective in reducing the rate of water loss especially during hot days. For locations that experience freezing winter seasons, getting a preformed pond with a deep area and installing a temperature regulator should be a good idea. Another alternative is to transfer the plants in a pot and the fishes in an indoor aquarium until spring arrives. For areas which receive a lot of rainwater, slightly elevating your pond and creating a sump hole can help prevent overflow of water during heavy rainfalls.
- Bring your pond to life.
Putting up plants and adding fishes to your pond require proper timing to achieve better results. Before adding anything to the pond, select the best unit from a range of pond pumps and filters and allow it to operate for at least two days to remove excess chlorine gas from the tap water. The next step is to add the plants while making sure that the water is still circulating adequately. Wait for two to three weeks for pond algae to develop and for dissolved oxygen in the water to stabilize. This will ensure that the fishes will have something to feed on and that the oxygen circulates properly inside the pond.
