We tell you how to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands, what materials can be used for this. We consider the basic rules of decoration and arrangement that will help make an artificial pond an excellent addition to the existing landscape design.
Types of artificial reservoirs
Before you make a pond at your dacha, you should decide on the type of future reservoir. Depending on functional purpose 4 types can be distinguished:
- Little pond– serves as a garden decoration, a small part of the overall landscape composition. Active recreation near such a body of water is not expected.
- Fish pond. Own reservoirs with colorful fish are actively pushing small aquariums out of the market. These can be reservoirs of absolutely any shape, the main thing is that the size is comfortable for the inhabitants. You can run into such a pond decorative types fish or fish suitable for fishing and subsequent consumption. Regardless of who will be bred in the pond, it is important to take care of the water filtration system and enrich it with oxygen.
- Decorative pond– a deep reservoir, additionally equipped with curbs, a bridge, and special lighting.
- Swimming pond. Swimming pools can also be classified as types of artificial reservoirs. In addition to aesthetic functions, they allow you to cool off or swim, depending on the size.
The functions of the pond will subsequently determine the choice of location, shape, and parameters. An important nuance for anyone who is interested in how to make a pond on the site is the choice of the style of such a pond. There are two main styles, which have many modifications:
- Formal or regular. Provides a design of a rigidly specified shape (round, rectangular, square, oval, broken). Suitable for landscape design made classic style, hi-tech, modern, minimalism.
- Landscape. Features irregular coastline, more natural appearance, does not limit the flight of designer imagination.
Choosing a place for a pond and shape
If you have already wondered how to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands, then pay more attention to its future location. You shouldn’t make a pond for the sake of a pond, when you can create a real highlight in the overall landscape design.
When choosing a location for a pond, there are several nuances to consider:
- Plan a pond for open area, away from big trees. Fallen leaves will constantly clog the water.
- Avoid sunny side. The sun will constantly heat the water, dry out the pond, and promote the development of bacteria. It is not recommended that exposure to direct sunlight exceed 5-6 hours.
- Provide for the possibility of expanding the reservoir if necessary in the future. If the size of the plot allows, then the owner will eventually want a bridge, a fountain and other decorative elements.
When determining the location, take into account:
- plot size;
- relief;
- soil composition;
- groundwater level;
- electricity supply;
- visibility from the house or gazebo.
The pond should be combined with other elements of the landscape composition, buildings and the general style of the dacha arrangement. Having studied all the listed parameters, you can determine how to dig a pond, what shape and size to prefer.
Selecting a base
The market offers many ways to make a pond in your country house with your own hands. For this, manufacturers offer various materials, although many suggest using improvised devices as a basis.
Each method has its own advantages. Everyone decides for themselves what to choose, based on the design idea, financial capabilities, and area of their summer cottage.
Tools you will need, regardless of the type of base:
- shovel;
- watering hose;
- cord (for marking);
- stakes;
- wheelbarrow for removing soil;
- cleaning filter and compressor (for fish pond);
- pump (for filling water or when constructing fountains, operating cleaning filters);
- sterilizer (needed for water purification).
Concrete base
A concrete bowl is one of the most expensive options, but guarantees a long service life of the reservoir. Most often, such a base is used for the construction of swimming pools on summer cottage, or for creating artificial reservoirs in the northern regions due to its resistance to temperature changes.
Concrete allows you to create compositions of any shape and size. The main features of using such a basis:
- It is better to choose a sunny area far from communications and trees;
- before you make a pond with your own hands, you need to dig a pit and make waterproofing;
- the concrete structure is strengthened with reinforcement;
- Cement mortar can be used to level the bottom surface.
Concrete bowls are decorated with tiles, artificial stone, figures of birds, animals.
Arrangement of a pond using a ready-made form
To simplify the work, use ready-made molds made of PVC or fiberglass. They are easy to install and durable (up to 30 years of operation). Among the disadvantages is the difficulty of transporting large forms. Optimal choice– fiberglass mold with rubber base.
How to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands step by step:
- After choosing a location and a finished shape, you need to dig a pit. To do this, place the form on the ground and mark the outline of its boundaries. The pit should be 8-10 cm larger than the shape parameters.
- Installing the container in the prepared hole. Use a measuring rod to determine whether it is level.
- Filling the mold with water.
- Fill the voids formed around with sand and compact.
Before digging a pit with your own hands, you need to think through a sketch on paper, and then transfer it to the ground. It is more convenient to mark with sand or a garden hose.
To decorate the edges of the form, you can lay out stones or plant plants. This should be done after the container has completely shrunk. Often such a pond is additionally decorated with a fountain.
Arrangement of a reservoir using film
Another modern material, which is often used to create artificial reservoir any shape and size - film. You can use different types of it - PVC, polymer, butyl rubber. The choice depends on the operating conditions: the service life of a polymer film is up to 10 years, butyl rubber is more than 50 years, even in conditions of constant frost or rocky surface of the site.
How to make such a small pond at the dacha with your own hands step by step:
- Digging a pit of the required shape. Depending on the size, this can be done using an excavator or with your own hands. It is important that the bank slope level is 45°C, and the minimum depth is 60-80 cm. If the parameters are less, this threatens freezing of the reservoir in winter, excessive heating in summer, and the death of the flora and fauna of the mini-pond.
- To further secure the film around the perimeter of the pit, a ditch 15 cm deep is torn out.
- Leveling the bottom of the pit, clearing it of branches, stones, roots that can damage the film. Additionally, it is recommended to sprinkle the surface with washed sand and cover it with geotextile fabric.
- Covering the prepared pit with film. The sheet must be laid loosely and secured at the edges with bricks.
- Fill with water and leave for a day so that the material takes the desired shape. Water must be supplied to the center of the pit without pressure.
- Trim off the excess film, leaving 20-25 cm under the blind area.
The calculation of the required film sheet is done as follows: add 2 depths and 1 meter of reserve to the length and width of the pond. The edges of the film should extend 20-25 cm beyond the edge of the pond. When choosing a film, consider its thickness, composition, resistance to UV radiation, and mechanical damage.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that... You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
When choosing PVC film, you need to understand the features of using different colors:
- a black film covers the bottom, which makes it possible to observe the reflection of the sky on the surface of the reservoir;
- brown film makes the pond more realistic;
- blue or cream - ideal for a pond with fish and other inhabitants.
To make the bottom suitable for planting plants or for additional protection from mechanical damage, the film is covered with pebbles or stones. This approach requires further constant cleaning of the pond due to decay of organic particles, so many people prefer to leave the film open.
You can decorate the coastline with tiles, stones, and bricks. The main thing is that the material is laid on cement mortar, and the width of the blind area is at least 60 cm.
Video description
How to make a pond with film in the video:
Pond from scrap materials
You don’t always need to buy a ready-made form, film or make a concrete base. There are several options for those who do not want to purchase special construction and finishing materials or dig a huge pit.
The following can be used as a base for an artificial pond:
- Old bathroom. The main feature in preparing a pit is to provide a recess at the location of the drain and fill it with pebbles. This will allow water to drain into the ground if necessary. You don't have to dig a hole at all. It is recommended to cover the bottom of the bathroom with varnish or waterproof paint.
- Taz. Does not require a large pit. It can be used as a base for a temporary artificial pond, or as a permanent decoration of the site.
- Tire– allows you to arrange a small decorative element of landscape design. The tire is cut in half, placed in a prepared hole, covered polymer film.
- Pots, boxes, buckets, tin barrels and to create mini-ponds on the site. Insulation is also made with polymer film. This option is suitable for growing aquatic plants.
Even with complete absence budget, you can create a pond that will become a real decoration of your summer cottage.
Water filtration and care
To turn a pond into a complete compositional element, you need to take care of its decoration. If this is a pond with fish, you cannot do without a filtration system.
For an artificial reservoir made with your own hands at the dacha, you can use the simplest system filtration. To do this you will need a small pumping station with sand filter. The system requires two pipes: one will remove dirty water, the other will supply purified water back into the reservoir. If additional purification is needed, you can make a small stream with sand through which filtered water will flow.
Proper water purification in artificial reservoirs Source static.tildacdn.com
Ready-made filtration kits can be purchased in stores. Detailed instructions allow installation without the involvement of specialists.
As for maintenance, a complete cleaning once a year is sufficient for a small pond. Features of seasonal care:
- in the spring with the help submersible pump pump out all the water from the reservoir, clean the bottom of dirt manually or using a special vacuum cleaner with a dirt filter. In April, fountains and waterfalls are launched;
- in the summer, it is enough to remove weeds around the pond, clean the water from filamentous algae, and add water if it dries out;
- in the fall, fallen leaves are collected using a net or a regular rake (you can cover the pond with a special net, which will protect the water from contamination during periods of heavy leaf fall);
- To prevent the water from blooming, a vessel with charcoal located at the bottom of the pond will help.
How to clean a pond of duckweed and get rid of silt, mud, and algae Source storage.kun.uz
The listed actions do not require a lot of effort, time and money, since the care is gradual.
Video description
How to make a pond filter with your own hands, watch the video:
After completing all the arrangement work, you can begin the decorating stage. The decor can be stones, interesting figures, figurines, small trees.
Depending on the size of the pond and the entire dacha plot, the reservoir can be supplemented with:
- launch the fish;
- plant aquatic plants;
- make a bridge, a small island in the middle of a pond, a fountain, a waterfall;
- equip night lighting;
- put a bench, gazebo, sun loungers, barbecue;
- lay out the paths with gravel and stone;
- install a beautiful fence.
Additional elements will allow you to turn an ordinary artificial pond into a full-fledged recreation area in your own garden. When choosing them, you should be guided by several rules:
- It is better to choose stones different sizes to make the composition more interesting. For safety reasons, do not use sharp stones.
- You should not dig a deep pit with steep walls, since it is very difficult to decorate it.
- Container gardening is much more convenient.
Fantasy in decoration is limitless, it all depends on the personal preferences of the owner of the summer cottage, the available budget, and the general style of landscape design.
Planting
Special attention should be given to planting aquatic plants. First you need to choose them correctly, since further biological balance and self-regulating processes depend on this:
- for the first deep level, a tail or arrowhead is suitable;
- Among the floating plants you can choose lilies, water hyacinths, and water lilies. They will not only decorate the pond, but will also protect the water from the scorching rays of the sun;
- ferns, sedges, reeds, and reeds are suitable for decorating the space around the pond;
- among flowering plants The most suitable are weeping grass, bergenia, lungwort, water iris, kupena and others.
You can start planting plants immediately after starting the filtration system. It is much easier to care for them in the future if you use special containers for planting, which are placed at the bottom of the pit.
Winter maintenance of an artificial pond should begin long before the onset of frost. A special protective mesh will help protect water from excessive amounts of fallen leaves, dirt, and accumulation of swamp gas. Remove the nets after the first frost.
Key points in preparing an artificial pond for winter:
- The reservoir must overwinter without equipment, filters, pumps, nozzles, lamps; they must be thoroughly cleaned and stored indoors.
- Small ponds freeze completely to the bottom, so you need to remove all plants and fish.
- In order for reservoirs with a plastic bowl to withstand frost without deforming the base, it is recommended to lower several bottles filled with sand to the bottom at the rate of 1 bottle per 1 square meter of the reservoir.
- You can start the reservoir if night temperatures are above zero.
Video description
For more information on preparing a reservoir for winter, watch this video:
Conclusion
Thus, if you understand the main nuances of arranging a pond at your dacha, then everyone can do it with their own hands. It doesn’t take a lot of time, effort and money to create an excellent water recreation area near your home.
Modern materials and technologies make it possible to quickly build a pond with minimal financial and labor costs. That is why building a fish pond with your own hands is a task that even novice builders can master.
Do-it-yourself fish pond, its construction technology and design features comfortable conditions for underwater pets will be described in detail in this article.
How to make a pond with your own hands for fish farming
Fish can be grown in the most different types reservoirs, both natural and man-made (lakes, small ponds and reservoirs, exhausted quarries and pools).
To breed fish at home, it is necessary to equip a special pond, while observing certain requirements.
Selecting a location
First of all, hydraulic and fish breeding requirements must be observed. The structure of a reservoir for keeping fish has significant differences from swimming pools for decorative purposes. Recommendations for arrangement are shown in Figure 1.
When equipping reservoirs for breeding, the following rules must be observed::
- The area of the reservoir must be calculated based on the amount of fish that they plan to grow in it. Overpopulation should not be allowed, as this will increase the consumption of feed, and an increase in the amount of waste products can lead to algal blooms in the water.
- For feeding, it is better to use so-called “live” food (bloodworms, earthworms, crustaceans).
- Part of the reservoir needs to be shaded to create favorable conditions for fish growth and to prevent water blooms. To do this, you can plant shrubs or low trees on one of the banks, or equip a special awning.
- It is better to sprinkle the bottom of the reservoir with gravel and use hard plants for decoration. This will also help prevent cloudiness and algal blooms in the water. In addition, you need to install filters or equip supply system to improve water quality.
Figure 1. Rules for arranging a fish tank The size of the reservoir is determined not only by the number of fish grown, but also by the size of the garden plot. They are often used in combination (not only for growing fish, but also for watering or breeding waterfowl). There are several types of ponds: dug, channel and diked. Bunded ones are considered the best, as they are easier to create. natural conditions. Construction options are shown in Figure 2.
To set up a pond, several important conditions must be met.:
- Select a suitable part of the land (preferably with a slight slope). If there is a small depression on the site or a natural stream flows, this part is allocated for the construction of a reservoir. In areas with a large slope, it is more difficult to dig a pit, since it is necessary not only to dig the reservoir itself, but also to install a dam system.
- Ensure a stable influx quality water in the required quantities.
Figure 2. Options for constructing a pond and treating its walls and bottom When choosing a location, pay special attention to the soil. The soil must have low moisture permeability. Otherwise, the water will simply be absorbed by the ground. In terms of soil, clayey, loamy and meadow areas are considered the best. If the site is predominantly sandy soil, the bottom and walls of the reservoir should be covered with film and lightly sprinkled with earth.
Types of ponds
An important condition for the operation of reservoirs is the provision of water. Its quality and quantity will in the future become the decisive factor determining suitable varieties fish (for example, trout requires the most clean water without foreign impurities and odors). To determine whether the water is suitable for dilution, you need to submit the appropriate samples to the laboratory.
There are several types of ponds depending on the method of water supply:
- Keys are filled using a natural key. In this case, the pit should be located one level lower so that water flows into it naturally. Such tanks are excellent for raising trout, whitefish or peled.
- Streams. Replenishment of water comes from a natural stream. To do this, you need to block the stream with a small dam or dam. As a rule, the water in them is much warmer, so heat-loving varieties are grown in them.
- Excavations are installed if there is no natural reservoir on the personal plot and filling occurs with the help of groundwater. These are the models that are considered the simplest. In addition to groundwater, they can be filled with rain or flood water, but in this case they can only be grown in river fish(carp, crucian carp, etc.).
More useful recommendations on the arrangement and water supply of the pond - in the video.
There are several types of reservoirs intended for fish farming. For example, you can use peat quarries and workings. To improve the quality of the soil, the bottom of such quarries is covered with lime. As a rule, such models do not require the installation of hydraulic structures, since filling occurs using groundwater. However, in such reservoirs it is impossible to drain the water, so to prevent water from blooming and polluting the bottom with silt, you need to ensure that the fish population does not exceed the norm.
Another common type of reservoir for keeping fish is swimming pools (Figure 3). Such content has many advantages:
- They can be installed in any part of the garden plot. For example, a pool can be placed in a greenhouse and combined with the cultivation of berries and garden crops;
- It is easy to maintain the water level and temperature in swimming pools;
- The bottom and walls of the tank are easy to clean and remove silt and debris.
Required tools and materials
Modern industry produces special pools for fish breeding. They can come in different shapes and sizes.
Note: Last time widespread got vertical pools. Water is supplied to them from below, and excess flows through the top. The main advantage of such tanks is space saving.
You can make a fish breeding pool yourself:
- A container is laid out of brick, and the walls are treated with cement mortar;
- The second option is to create a form (formwork) into which gravel is poured;
- A hole is made in one of the walls and covered with a mesh. It will be needed to drain the water.
Figure 3. Types of pools industrial production for fish farming Fish can also be grown in cages, installing them in any type of reservoir. The optimal immersion depth for cages is 2 meters. This way the fish will constantly be in sufficiently warm and oxygenated water. It is also important that the bottom of the cages is at least a meter from the bed.
There are several types of cages:
- Frame ones are made on the basis of a rigid frame covered with mesh;
- Frameless ones are made of a bag, stainless steel mesh or plastic. They hang freely in the water;
- Half-frame, as a rule, are a mesh bag, inside of which a wooden or metal frame treated with anti-corrosion agents is placed.
The frame is necessary so that the cage does not transform under the influence of the current. For growing fish, it is allowed to use stationary cages (fixed on stilts), but in small reservoirs preference should be given to cages floating on pontoons.
Drawings and diagrams for making cages with your own hands are shown in Figure 4.
Note: The advantage of cages is that the fish in them receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, and the water is constantly renewed thanks to the currents and movements of the fish themselves in the cages.
Figure 4. Cages for fish farming: 1a - flexible (1 - end wall, 2 - tie-down rings, 3 - tie-down halyard, 4 - pontoon, 5 - flooring, 6 - ends of tie-down halyards), 1b - semi-rigid with a bottom frame (1 - upper frame, 2 - side wall, 3 - lower frame made of rings, 4 - corner halyard), 1b - semi-rigid (1 - lower frame, 2 - side wall, 3 - guide rings, 4 - corner rods, 5 - ring for lifting the cage, 6 - frame), 1d - frame in the shape of a cone (1 - frame, 2 - wall, 3 - bottom, 4 - lanyard, 5 - anchor), 2a - general view of the feeding cage, 2b - drawing for the manufacture of the cage When choosing the size of the cage, you need to be guided by the characteristics of the reservoir and the number of fish. Preference should be given to large cages (3 x 4 x 4 m), since in them the fish develop a herd instinct and food consumption is reduced. The size of the cells in the cages is determined by the type of fish. After completion of cultivation, the cages must be cleaned and dried.
Creation technology
To set up a dug version, it is enough to dig a hole of the required area and level its bottom.
It is more difficult to equip diked (key) ponds, since in addition to the reservoir itself, additional structures need to be built:
- Dams and dams are necessary to fluctuate water levels. They can be made of earth or concrete, fencing the pit around the perimeter or blocking the bed of a stream. To construct an earthen dam, it is better to use a mixture of clay and sand. Pure clay, freezing and thawing, will crack and the dam will be damaged. When preparing an area for a dam, the top layer of soil is removed, weeds, bushes, trees and their roots are removed. Next, make an embankment and compact it tightly. It is advisable to install additional fortification structures so that the dam or dam is not washed away by rainwater (Figure 5).
- Water supply systems are used to supply water from a natural source to a body of water. Filters are installed at water supply structures to prevent the entry of debris, weeds and predatory fish.
- Spillway structures (drains and descents). A weir is necessary to reduce the amount of water. It is an earthen channel with turf and stones, with an inlet and outlet. Typically, wood or concrete is used to construct a spillway. Additionally, the spillway must be equipped with a grate or mesh so that fish are not removed along with the water. A drain is a structure necessary to completely remove water from a pond. It is built near the dam, since it is there that the reservoir has the greatest depth. The drain consists of a deck (a horizontal pipe under the dam) and a riser (a vertical gutter with a wall open on the side of the pond). In some cases, drains are equipped without a gutter, but then it can only be used for draining water (Figure 6).
- A siphon drain is used if it is not possible to install necessary equipment at the bottom. A siphon drain is a rubber or metal pipe with valves at the ends and holes in the center for filling water and pumping out air. Draining water with such a device is very simple: one end is lowered into the pond, and the other is taken out beyond the dam. The valves at the ends of the pipe close and supply water to the central hole. When the pipe is completely filled, first open the inlet and then the outlet valve.
- Fish traps are used for catching and temporarily storing fish. As a rule, they are installed near the bottom drainage. It must be flowable. Some farms do not install them, but the presence of a fish catcher significantly speeds up and facilitates the maintenance process. The size of the fish catcher depends on the size of the reservoir and the number of fish.
Figure 5. Construction of a dam for an artificial reservoir Such arrangement allows not only to grow healthy fish, but also to significantly reduce the cost of time and labor. Particular attention should be paid to the arrangement of fish catchers, since with their help you can not only catch fish for sale or fry for breeding, but also temporarily contain fish while cleaning the pond. Examples of fish catchers are shown in Figure 7.
How to make a fish pond: video
How to build a fish pond with your own hands is shown in detail in the video. From it you will learn how to correctly calculate the size of a pit, equip an artificial reservoir and create an optimal microclimate in it for fish to live in.
DIY fish pond without film
The simplest fish pond that you can build with your own hands is a structure with a dirt bottom and walls. The pit must be carefully compacted, but still this structure is considered not strong enough and comfortable for fish, so it is better to use film as the main covering.
Figure 6. Bottom drains: a - regular (1 - grate, 2 - riser, 3 - flaps, 4 - dam, 5 - deck), b - simplified (1 - head, 2 - deck, 3 - valve gate, 4 - winch, 5 - fish catcher), c - drainage without riser (1 - hole, 2 - shield, 3 - rod for lifting the shield, 4 - grooves for the movement of the shield, 5 - concrete head, 6 - dam slope) In fact, the technology for constructing a pond for breeding fish from film and without it is practically no different at the initial stage. Differences appear only at the end, when the bottom and walls of the pit are covered with polyethylene.
Peculiarities
The most important feature of creating and arranging a pond is the correct choice of location. It is desirable that the soil be clayey, since such soil retains water well (Figure 8).
Figure 7. Types of fish traps In addition, it is better to build a reservoir on the southwest side so that the water is warmed by the sun for at least 4 hours a day. It is not advisable to place the pond under the shade deciduous trees, since falling leaves will pollute the pond.
It is important to correctly calculate the depth of the reservoir. The optimal depth is considered to be one and a half meters, but it is better to increase this figure to two meters, and if you are going to grow carp, then to 2.5 meters. This feature must be fulfilled so that the fish can be in the pond not only in summer, but also in winter.
Construction technology
To make a pond on a fish breeding site, you need to follow a clear sequence of actions.
Step-by-step instructions for building a pond include the following steps:
- Mark the territory of the future reservoir by scattering sand over its proposed territory. Uneven terrain must be leveled so that the water in the pond is approximately at the same level.
- Dig a pit, and its depth should be slightly greater than planned. This is necessary so that in the future you can arrange the bottom of the reservoir. All large boulders and plant roots are removed from the bottom, and the coastal, shallow and deep zones are marked for further development.
- We create artificial differences in water level using soil from the bottom of the pit. It is at this stage that the amount of film required is calculated. Cords are placed along the perimeter of the pond, their total length is calculated and 50 cm are added on each side. If you are not planning to make a pond out of film, you can skip this step.
- We equip and strengthen the bank by filling it with crushed stone or strengthening it with pipes and boards. This will prevent the banks from collapsing in the future. It is also advisable to make a small fence to prevent rainwater from washing the soil into the pond and polluting it.
Figure 8. Stages of constructing a pond without liner At the final stage, landscaping of the pond is carried out. A special substrate is placed at its bottom, in which aquatic plants are planted. You can also decorate the bottom with stones or broken pots if you plan to grow not only fish, but also crayfish. After this, you can begin installing the pump, filling the pond with water and stocking the fish.
Creating a pond without concreting
A pond without concreting is created using the same technology, but since concrete is used to strengthen the walls and bottom of the reservoir, you will have to find alternative option arrangement if you do not plan to use concreting.
In this case, you can simply thoroughly compact the soil in the reservoir or cover the bottom and walls with film. The latter method is considered the best, since plastic film greatly facilitates the process of cleaning the pond in the fall.
Peculiarities
There are no significant features that distinguish the construction of a pond from film and without concreting. To do this, you also need to choose a suitable place with a flat area and dense clay soil (Figure 9).
A prerequisite is to calculate the size of the reservoir. On average, 10-20 individuals need 10 liters of water. Based on this indicator, you can calculate the volume of an artificial reservoir and determine the optimal area.
Rules
According to the rules, construction of a pond without concreting begins with markings. It can be made using sand or a cord that is stretched around the perimeter of the future reservoir.
At the next stage, they begin to dig a pit. Its depth should be 2 meters, but for further arrangement of the bottom, the pit is made a little deeper. After this, in the case of using concrete, the bottom and walls are filled with mortar, but if you do not plan to use concrete, you need to carefully compact the bottom and walls, or cover them with thick dark plastic film.
Figure 9. Construction home pond without concrete In the future, they will begin to develop the banks and the reservoir itself. The banks need to be strengthened so that the soil does not slide into the pond and clog it. A special nutrient substrate is placed at the bottom and aquatic plants are planted.
When arranging a pond without concreting, it should be borne in mind that this design is considered the simplest in the construction process, but in the future it may be difficult to clean the pond from silt, so it is better to use film or concrete as the main covering of the bottom and walls.
If the water in the pond does begin to bloom, the tips from the video will help you cope with this problem.
Holidays at the dacha are an opportunity to devote yourself to nature, relax, forgetting at least for a while about everyday life in the city, and this is best done on the shore of your own pond. It all depends on your imagination and the size of your summer cottage. Is it possible to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands? Of course. Follow the instructions below and you will succeed.
Man-made pond at the dacha
Of course, you want to spend time at a well-equipped dacha, the territory of which has been landscaped and fully landscaped - after all, relaxing at a dacha, which is a rickety little house with a small courtyard overgrown with weeds and thistles, will definitely not contribute to peace of mind.
At the same time, a green, well-groomed lawn and neat trees, flower beds and artificial ponds will turn the territory of the dacha into a real earthly paradise. And decorative ponds will occupy not the last place in it. Your own pond at the dacha can be of almost any size - from a couple of square meters to a reservoir of significant area.
The first thing you need to understand is the very purpose of a decorative pond: unlike swimming pools, the water in which must be subjected to special treatment (chlorination, ozonation, etc.), a pond in the garden will require the creation of a certain biological balance. Otherwise, the water in it will bloom and become cloudy, the plants will begin to wither, and only midges and frogs will fall in love with it - a dubious pleasure for the owner of the pond.
Types of Garden Ponds
Garden ponds having a geometrically regular shape - rectangular, round, diamond-shaped, etc. - look especially good on summer cottages, landscaped in the correct geometry (straight lines, ideal shapes). As a rule, such decorative ponds are edged along the edges with tiled stone (artificial or natural); they are arranged near buildings, thereby emphasizing straight lines.
Ponds with the correct geometry can be made above ground level: this type of pond minimizes excavation work during their construction, simplifies their care, and reduces the risk of small children falling into it. The sides of such a pond protruding above the ground are suitable for a flower garden; seats can be installed on them, and a fountain can be arranged in the pond itself.
Artificial ponds that imitate natural bodies of water - they are characterized by rounded shapes and a coastline of arbitrary shape. Plants natural to the swamp flora are planted along their banks. A gentle slope under the water, covered with cobblestones or medium-sized pebbles - landscape designers usually place this type of pond in the far part of the garden, near the lawn. Such natural ponds are especially successful in random garden landscaping.
Choosing the size and location of a garden pond
Of course, the size of an artificial pond directly depends on total area summer cottage plot. If we talk about building a pond ecosystem, then large ponds are more convenient for this. It is easier to strike a balance between vegetation and aquatic life in a large pond than in a small one, and larger ponds are also easier to maintain. The smaller the artificial reservoir, the more often it will have to be cleaned - the lack of space for the inhabitants of the reservoir will not allow establishing a full ecological balance.
The location for the future pond is chosen from an aesthetic point of view; placing an artificial pond near the main building is especially successful - you can watch the surface of the water from the windows or while sitting in a chair on the terrace.
The optimal place for a pond will be an open space not exposed to strong winds - strong wind will hinder development tall plants on the shore of a reservoir. It is necessary to calculate the illumination of the pond: direct rays of the sun should not illuminate the pond for more than 10 hours (6-hour illumination is optimal). With greater illumination in stagnant water conditions, the active development of aquatic bacteria and green algae (for example, mud) will begin. At the same time, in those parts of the pond where the illumination is insufficient (shading), the growth and development of aquatic plants will slow down.
The proximity of an artificial reservoir to the crowns of trees will lead to its pollution during seasonal leaf fall, in addition, root system trees can damage the pond bed by breaking through the underlying film or displacing the edges of the pond.
Owners who plan to install lighting for a pond in the dark, or install a pump for a waterfall cascade or fountain, must consider the location of the pond from the point of view of power supply.
Artificial pond - materials
A man-made pond can be made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or butyl rubber film, use a ready-made container made of reinforced plastic or fiberglass, or create a pond bowl from reinforced concrete.
In terms of speed of creation, the first place is occupied by purchased containers made of fiberglass - all that is required is to dig a deep enough pit for them and install the container in it on a prepared and compacted sand cushion (it resembles a large plastic basin and, often, of a bizarre shape).
True, it will not be possible to build a large pond made of fiberglass - mass-produced tanks, as a rule, have a small square footage (usually an area of about 4 m2, depth - 500-800 mm). Larger fiberglass containers are intended more for swimming pools (over 10 m2 in area) and are therefore expensive. However, a small pond made of plastic or fiberglass for small dacha areas quite suitable. The cost depends on the volume, shape and color.
A large pond with a “free” (i.e., not tied to any standard forms) layout can be arranged using a film (PVC or butyl rubber) - the film is needed to waterproof the reservoir. The cost of such material is low; it is widely represented in retail outlets both in terms of quality and manufacturer.
Do not use ordinary polyethylene to create an artificial reservoir; it will serve you for a maximum of 2 years, then its density will be impaired under the influence of physical and temperature influences.
PVC film or butyl rubber is suitable for creating a garden pond. The first material has sufficient strength and elasticity, and is distinguished by a high-quality structure - the reservoir formed by it will last at least 15 years. However, the undoubted leader in the field of waterproofing materials for artificial ponds is butyl rubber - it has high resistance to sunlight, high and low temperatures, and is not prone to cracking. Among other materials, butyl rubber has only one disadvantage - it is not cheap, but its service life exceeds 50 years.
If we are talking about complete reliability and durability, then there is only one material left - reinforced concrete. Unlike pond bowls formed by film or cast materials, you can walk on the bottom of a concrete reservoir without fear - such a bottom is difficult to damage. However, it is more difficult to work with concrete; full compliance with the technology will be required (welding of reinforcement, manufacturing of formwork), double waterproofing (on both sides of the concrete casting, both outside and inside) - for protection from groundwater, i.e. the cost of such work will be the highest. You can use special grades of concrete that are not exposed to water, but it will be even more expensive and its use will require strict adherence to casting technologies.
Let's summarize the characteristics of materials for artificial ponds
The main advantages of film waterproofing: the ability to form the required shape, change the shape of the reservoir bowl in the future, ease of repair (if the film breaks). Minus: in winter, the water from the reservoir will have to be poured out; if it freezes and expands, it will inevitably tear the film.
Advantages of reinforced concrete: high reliability, independence from external climatic factors (subject to concreting technology), resistance to physical influences (falling stones, rodents, etc.). Disadvantages: high labor intensity, extremely difficult rework. As a rule, creating artificial ponds from concrete is not popular, since the film is much easier to use. But if you plan to build bridges over a reservoir and sculptural compositions on its banks, reinforced concrete will be the best choice.
When creating garden ponds, it is necessary to ensure that the selected materials are completely non-toxic, otherwise the fish and plants in the pond will not survive.
Pond in the garden based on a finished (rigid) container
When choosing a rigid container to create a pond with a total area of up to 4 m2, you should choose a bathtub made of fiberglass or plastic. The minimum depth of such a container should be about 800 mm - the water in such a pond will warm up evenly in the summer, and in winter it will not freeze to the bottom.
A ready-made container as a basis for a garden pond will allow you to avoid cutting and fastening (activities performed when installing the film base of a pond), there is no need to build a general configuration - everything has already been done, the container is equipped with terraces for planting aquatic plants. You should be careful about your choice; you won’t be able to change it.
Ready-made pond baths are quite durable, winter frosts they are not afraid. And yet, when transporting the pond container to the site, it must be handled carefully and not stepped on. The thickness of the walls of such a tank is 3 mm, and in case of mechanical damage, cracks will appear, which will be difficult to seal.
Have the shortest service life cheap baths made of plastic - they are gradually destroyed sunlight, and the surface of such containers cracks when bent. In contrast, containers made of reinforced plastic are more resistant to ultraviolet radiation and have a greater margin of safety (they are more plastic) - the service life of such pond reservoirs is up to 20 years.
The best, and therefore most expensive, tanks are made of fiberglass with a rubber base. A reservoir based on them will last more than 30 years and, unlike plastic containers, they can be repaired without damage general characteristics. Fiberglass is the most resistant to low/high temperatures and exposure to sunlight, it has high environmental performance and is completely safe for the flora and fauna of an artificial reservoir.
In addition to quality characteristics, fiberglass containers also have aesthetic appeal: they can be of three colors - black, brown and green; applied to their edges decorative coating simulating natural materials, which makes it easier to give an artificial pond a natural look.
Fiberglass bathtubs are made not only for ponds, but also for streams. Containers for simulating a stream have a “stone” texture in appearance and easily fit into the overall landscape, and the multi-stage shape allows you to conveniently plant aquatic plants. The bed of such a stream is fenced on the sides with projections that protect plant roots from being washed away.
Artificial pond with film waterproofing
Flooring of flexible coverings is carried out both in a prepared pit and between constructed walls raised above ground level. Such a decision to create a pond at the dacha is justified if the expected size of the future reservoir is larger than the parameters of hard shells offered by specialized stores. Film coating is also used to create reservoirs of complex shape - the use of waterproofing film will greatly facilitate this task.
To create a reservoir, you can use polyethylene (thickness 500 microns), laid in two layers; its cost is the lowest among other film coatings. Although the characteristics of polyethylene are more than minimal: it is easy to tear (by sharp stones, animal claws, etc.), under the influence of the sun it becomes fragile, and if damaged it is practically impossible to repair. The polyethylene coating will provide waterproofing of the reservoir for no more than 5 years (on average - 3 years). This is rather a temporary solution for those summer residents who do not like constancy - after three years there is an excellent reason to change the location of the pond.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating will cost more than polyethylene, but will also last longer - on average about 8-10 years. Manufacturers offer two types of polyvinyl chloride coating: regular two-layer and reinforced, in which a woven mesh is laid between the layers of film (for strength). In general, this coating has all the disadvantages of polyethylene. Solar ultraviolet damages the strength of PVC film; it is easy to perforate. But, unlike plastic film, damage to PVC film can be repaired using a special repair kit. In addition, this film stretches better - after filling the reservoir with water, most of the folds will stretch out and level out.
The best pond film is made from butyl rubber - this material is durable (service life is about 50 years), durable and not subject to destruction by ultraviolet radiation. Butyl rubber film comes in three colors: black, stone-colored, and charcoal-colored. If the soil on your site contains a large number of stones, or you plan to build a pond with a high load on the base (great depth and considerable width of the pond), choose a butyl rubber coating and you won’t go wrong.
Characteristics of butyl rubber coating: high plasticity, ease of installation regardless of the time of year and air temperature. Low temperatures This coating is not affected, so there is no need to drain water from the reservoir in the winter.
Pond film - which color is better
The color of the film will seriously affect the overall appearance of the reservoir. The black bottom will turn the reservoir into a kind of mirror; reflections of the sky, clouds, and plants planted along the shoreline will be clearly visible in it. Film black or brown will serve as a good imitation of natural bottom soil. A cream or blue bottom color will look unnatural, but colorful fish look great against this background. If you choose a grayish or bluish shade, the pond will look like a swimming pool. Choose the color of the film depending on the functions of the reservoir: if it is a pond - black or brown, if a pool - white or blue.
Create a decorative pond using film
We draw the outline of the future pond at the selected location and determine the required film size. The calculation of the film covering is done as follows: the width and length of the canvas will be equal to the sum consisting of the size of the width (in the second case, the length) of the future reservoir, twice the depth and 600 mm of allowance for securing the film along the edges of the pond.
It must be taken into account that standard parameters a roll of butyl rubber film is as follows: width from 4.5 to 15.25 m (more precisely, 4.5; 6.1; 9.15; 12.20 and 15.25 m), length - 20-25 linear meters. Sometimes it is easier to make adjustments to the parameters of the future pond than to glue pieces of film together. If there is a need to glue a film for a pond, this is quite possible; you will only need special adhesives and adhesive tape produced by the same manufacturer as the selected film. To obtain a high-quality seam when gluing butyl rubber film, use mastic followed by hot vulcanization.
In addition to the waterproofing film, when forming a reservoir bowl, you will need geotextiles (optimal density - 350 g/m2) - for the insulating coating it will act as a protective layer (from tree roots, teeth and claws of animals, sharp stones, etc.).
To create a pond with your own hands you will need: sand (for the underlying layer), a spirit level (building level), a roll of cord (or twine for marking), wooden pegs, a garden hose, shovels.
Creating a reservoir pit
First of all, evaluate the future shape of the reservoir using a hose of sufficient length and pegs - change the position of the hose fragments until the shape of the reservoir bowl suits you. When planning a free-form pond, try to get rounded lines without sharp corners- such a pond will look better. When planning a pond, mark terraces for pond plants along its edges; they are done at a depth of 300 mm.
Having decided on the shape of the reservoir and completing the markings, begin work on the foundation pit. First, three-hundred-millimeter terraces are torn off (after filling the reservoir, the distance from the terrace to the water level will be about 200 mm). The banks of the future pond should have a slope of approximately 45°. In the process of creating a pit, try to remove all plant roots and stones that you come across. After completing work on the terraces, check the horizontalness of the banks using a board with a spirit level placed on it.
The next stage of work is the formation of the main bowl of the reservoir, its deep part. Remember: the minimum required depth of the reservoir is 600 mm. Such a reservoir will not freeze completely in winter, and in summer pond fish will be able to find refuge at such a depth from the scorching rays of the sun. Then along the shore line it is necessary to dig a ledge 60-70 mm deep for subsequent laying of a blind area from tiles, bricks, natural stone or laying turf.
We form a drainage layer and waterproofing
Having completed work on the pit, you need to pour washed sand over its entire area in a layer of 30-50 mm - the sand is placed on the bottom, banks and terraces, and carefully compacted. After making sure that sand drainage is sufficiently good (no unevenness), lay a geotextile fabric on top to insulate the film covering from damage.
The next step will be laying the prepared sheet of film. Do not try to align the film along the contours of the reservoir - let it sag above it - lay it loosely. Align the film sheet along the banks, securing the edges with a sufficient number of bricks (stones).
Connect a garden hose to a water source and feed it in the center of the film laid over the pit - it will gradually shrink, taking the shape of a reservoir. Monitor subsidence by moving retaining stones along the banks. After the artificial reservoir is completely filled, you need to wait a day, then cut off the excess film, leaving a margin of 250-300 mm at its edges (the blind area will be laid on them). Secure the edges around the perimeter of the pond using wooden wedges or wire arches.
The next stage is laying the blind area. Its width must be at least 600 mm, it is made of tiles, bricks or natural stone. The blind area needs to be laid on cement mortar - if it is laid only on a cushion of sand, a person who steps on the tile can slide into the pond with it.
Summer residents planning a waterfall or fountain in an artificial reservoir need to lay a water supply hose and cover it with a blind area before laying the tiles on the cement mortar. The same should be done if there is a need for power supply to the pond (underwater spotlights, water pumps), by installing a plastic or copper tube for subsequent pulling of the electrical cable.
Creating a reservoir raised above ground level
Such a reservoir will require at least one retaining wall. A foundation for such a reservoir is required, otherwise the pond bowl may become distorted.
The construction of a reservoir above ground level is carried out in the same way as the construction of an ordinary garden wall: the location and parameters of the future pond are determined, trenches are dug for laying the foundation. After casting, the foundation must harden within two full days.
When creating a pond half submerged in the ground, dig a pit in the deepest part, then form terraces for planting (approximately at the level concrete foundation). Then carefully remove all the stones and place a sand cushion on the bottom of the pit.
Build retaining walls around the perimeter of the pond, carefully tracking the position of each row. Before laying the waterproofing film, wait 48 hours - the wall solution must completely harden.
Lay the film so that its edges evenly protrude from all sides of the supporting wall. If your future pond is rectangular or square in shape, form according internal corners folds of film in the form of a neat accordion. The film sheet must be temporarily pressed against the top of the supporting walls with bricks.
Gradually fill the film hanging over the reservoir with water, moving or removing the pressing stones on the supporting walls, leveling the corner folds. After completely filling the reservoir, cut off the excess film along the edges, maintaining a gap of half the size of the supporting wall (it will be covered with stones when forming the ridge). Remove water from the pond. To protect the edges of the film, we install ridge stones. The pond is ready - fill it with water, place plants and fish.
Decorating a country pond
The garden pond itself is not bad - you can put a gazebo near the water and relax on a hot afternoon in the shade and coolness, watching the fish play in its depths. But you can turn it into something enchanting and colorful - fountains created by a pump system and underwater lighting will help here.
Pond pumps are produced in two versions: above-water and underwater. Let's say you want a two-meter stream of water to come out of a pond - then you need an underwater pump. If a two-meter fountain is not enough, choose an above-water pump and you will be provided with a really high column of water.
The underwater pump is mounted at the bottom of the pond: first, a stone base is placed, the pump is placed on it and covered on top with a ceramic casing made to look like natural stone. The complete set (pump, base and casing) can be purchased from one seller.
How an underwater pump works: it draws water from the bottom of a reservoir and sweeps it over the surface of the water using special nozzles. If a fountain or waterfall is installed separately from a reservoir, water is supplied through supply pipes. Some pump models can simultaneously supply water to both a waterfall and a fountain. The pump is powered via an electrical cable with waterproof insulation.
The surface pump is installed in a camouflaged brick chamber on the shore of a reservoir, not far from a fountain or waterfall. Water is supplied to the pump from the reservoir through a pipe with a mandatory filter at the inlet. An above-water pump requires more technical equipment than an underwater one - a drainage system, filters (on the suction pipe), and a suction system. Otherwise it will overheat.
The greatest effect from the operation of fountains is achieved in reservoirs of the correct shape. Fountains are placed in the center of the reservoir so that the water they throw out does not fall on the shore plants.
The type of fountain and the height of the jet depend on the type of nozzle installed on the underwater pump. The stream of water itself, depending on the installed nozzle, may have the shape of, say, a bell or a beating key. A boring fountain tube can be decorated with fiberglass, stone, bronze or ceramic lining. If lining is used, the water nozzle is attached to the brass connector with which the lining is equipped. The lining body is placed either on the bottom of the reservoir or on a special stand.
Lighting will help create a magical atmosphere in the evening and at night. Lighting equipment for private ponds is designed for 12 V power supply. The power of halogen lamps in lamps can be from 5 to 75 W - it is enough for bright lighting, because the luminous flux of such lamps is 3 times higher than that of household lamps.
Mini-spotlights are installed on a special support or on a fountain nozzle, highlighting the flying splashes of water. There are floating lanterns, they consist of a light bulb placed in a sealed glass ball. They can be lowered to a certain depth into a reservoir, suspended on a weight, or installed at the bottom. Thanks to the floodlights equipped with color filters and rotating devices, the night pond will take on a simply stunning look.
How to care for a pond
The natural balance of the reservoir will form quite quickly. To maintain it, it is necessary to remove all wind-blown debris and fallen leaves before this mass falls to the bottom and begins to decompose. It is quite possible that the bottom of the reservoir will have to be cleaned with a net every autumn, eliminating bottom debris.
To protect the water area of the pond from falling leaves, you can use a fine-mesh net - it should be stretched over the mirror of the pond before the autumn leaves fall and removed closer to winter. Or use a skimmer - a special pump for collecting floating debris.
To clean the bottom, a bottom vacuum cleaner is useful - its design resembles a regular one, but it does not have a filter. Water from the bottom of the pond is sucked into the device; as the chamber fills, the device automatically turns off and the container with dirt must be emptied into the drainage system.
If you settled in your decorative pond fish, they will need oxygen. If there is a lack of it, use aerator pumps - they resemble aquarium pumps, only larger in size and power.
The main problem that owners of reservoirs face with the beginning of the warm season is that the water in it becomes green, which is caused by the active reproduction of protozoan algae. Most often, this problem is faced by owners of small reservoirs with shallow depth and therefore quickly warmed up by the sun's rays. You can prevent overheating of water by using aquatic plants with large floating leaves (water lilies and egg capsules), as well as by planting oxygen generators - plants that fill pond water with oxygen (Elodea canadensis, hornwort, mireweed).
At the beginning of spring, when the plants have not yet developed sufficiently, the use of chemical control agents (algaecides) is required. However, these drugs are harmful to both humans and aquatic life - so they should be used only as a last resort.
Birds and cats can pose a danger to fish in a pond; for them, fish are a subject of hunting. To protect pond fish from birds (for example, herons), you need to cover the space above the shallow areas of the pond with a net or black threads (the latter solution is especially successful - black threads are practically invisible against the background of the water surface). An obstacle for cats will be a decorative wire fence (at least 150 mm high), usually used to fence flower beds.
The main danger to aquatic fauna in areas subject to frequent frosts is ice. An ice shell that steadily blocks a reservoir for more than a day will lead to the accumulation of toxic gases formed by decaying remains of vegetation and, as a result, partial or complete death of fish. It is necessary that part of the pond is always free of ice; the best solution would be a special small heater. You should not try to break the ice using force - blows to the ice shell can stun and even kill the fish.
If your artificial pond is deep, use a pump to supply warm water from depth to the water surface - this measure will prevent the formation of ice. As a last resort, if there are no other methods and means, make an exhaust hole in the ice shell using wormwood; to do this, place a pan of boiling water on the ice (after the wormwood has formed, do not forget to remove the pan!).
How to properly plant a pond
Aquatic plants perform important task— they are kind of water filters. The biological balance will be established when at least a third of the artificial reservoir is allocated for plants. Moreover, each type of aquatic plant requires planting at a certain depth.
So, the pond is finished, filled with water - it needs to be allowed to settle for 10 days and only then begin planting. The optimal time for planting aquatic plants is the beginning of summer.
You can plant the plants in the laid soil at the bottom of the reservoir, but it is best to place them in mesh baskets, placing the latter on the bottom. It is easier to care for plants in baskets - move them to winter warm room and carry out reproduction. The soil in the baskets is ordinary soil from the garden; it is not required to be enriched with manure, fertilizers or peat. Laying clean burlap or other coarse fabric on top will help keep the soil layer in the baskets from being washed away by water. Place medium-sized gravel on top of the fabric to protect the roots from pond fish.
Before planting, remove particularly long roots and old leaves from plants. After planting, compact the soil around the plant stem so that the distance between the soil and the edge of the basket is 40 mm.
Some types of pond plants do not require planting - they float freely on the surface of the reservoir, keeping themselves afloat. Representatives of such plants are water lilies and lotus. Such plants need to be closely monitored, since favorable conditions They will quickly multiply and occupy the entire pond - periodically some of them need to be removed. The main plant problem for any enclosed reservoir is duckweed, which multiplies quickly and tends to take over the entire area of the reservoir - do not plant it on purpose!
When purchasing aquatic plants, be sure to ask the seller at what depth they should be planted. When planting, take precautions - plants need light, and dense thickets on the surface of the water look unattractive.
During the winter season, aquatic plants, whose natural habitat is a temperate climate, remain in the reservoir. If you planted exotic plants from warm countries in the pond, then they should winter outside the pond. Take them out and place them in a body of water indoors - an aquarium or a bathtub, after pruning especially overgrown plants.
An important point: when moving plants indoors for winter, do not forget to provide them with sufficient lighting.
Caring for fish in a pond
For the full existence of fish in a country pond, its depth must be no less than 1200 mm. At shallower depths, the fish need to spend the winter outside the pond, otherwise they will die. Freshly purchased fish cannot be placed in a pond; give it time to acclimatize - it must get used to the temperature of the water in the pond. Let the container with fish float around the pond - this measure will prevent the fish from going into shock.
If you did not purchase fish from specialized stores, you should not immediately release them into garden pond. Place them in an aquarium filled with pond water. The duration of such a quarantine should be at least seven days - this way you will find out whether the fish is sick.
Now about fish nutrition. In principle, the pond should have enough food for them: duckweed, algae, mosquito larvae and other insects living at the bottom of the reservoir. However, if there is not enough food or the number of fish increases, it needs to be fed. Buy fish food in specialized stores - it contains everything necessary for pond fauna, in addition, such food is enriched with oxygen and will not become a source of pollution for the pond; it will float on the surface for some time. Give the fish as much food as they can eat in 10 minutes, otherwise it will sink and rot.
Fish have a special need for vitamins in the spring; during this season, increase the number of feedings. In autumn, when the temperature in the reservoir drops below 10 °C, stop feeding completely.
Constantly monitor the condition of the fish, do not overfeed them, control their numbers (optimally: for 50 liters of water - one fish 100-150 mm long. Keep in mind that the fish are growing!).
A sick fish can be identified by its behavior: it, as a rule, swims in circles and at the same time “staggers”, rubs its sides against objects in the reservoir, lies on its side on the surface. The presence of diseases is indicated by “glued together” fins, a white coating on the eyes, snout, fins or gills. Having discovered a sick individual, immediately isolate it from the rest and place it in the aquarium. Then visit a pet store, describe the signs of the disease to a specialist and buy the necessary medications.
Whether you like to swim or just relax near the water, relaxing on the shore of a body of water is one of the wonderful pleasures of summer. But not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a summer house near water. Therefore, sooner or later, each of us thinks about how difficult it is to make a pond on the site with our own hands. Ideally, we see a pond in a dacha not only as a decorative element of landscape design, but also as a small body of water in which you can happily swim on a hot day.
Let's start with the basics - what fundamentally distinguishes a pond from a swimming pool is the self-regulation system. 
DIY swimming pond.
We will tell you the process of creating a pond step by step, and you can make a garden pond with your own hands - by building a cool oasis in the middle of the heat right on your summer cottage, where with every light breath of a fresh breeze our everyday worries disappear. 
A garden pond is a living organism.
The pond at the dacha imitates the process that nature uses to keep lakes clean. Everything from the size and shape of the pond, plant species and water circulation are designed to maintain the pond in a stable natural state. 
The problem that a pond owner faces is maintaining a balance between plants and water - the plants either die or cover the entire surface of the pond. Only a pond that represents a balanced ecosystem provides optimal water clarity and quality, and maximum enjoyment from swimming in the pond. 
The water in the pond must circulate among the roots of the plants to cleanse itself. Plants enrich the water with oxygen, which supports the vital activity of beneficial bacteria that utilize pollutants and potentially harmful organisms, and also create a habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic inhabitants. The result is a stable, ecologically diverse system. Nature has revealed its technology to us and we need to use it carefully.
How to make a pond yourself. Principles of pond operation.
Water is a living biologically active component and all purification occurs due to the work of plants and beneficial microbes. For this purpose, the pond has a swimming area and a filtration area for plants. The filtration zone is actually the swamp part of our water zone, and just like in nature, it is this zone that guarantees the cleanliness of the entire reservoir. This zone must occupy at least 50 percent of the total surface area of the pond. 
If you have noticed, in nature there are almost no tiny bodies of water with consistently clean surface water - they quickly become overgrown or silted up. Natural stable biological balance can be achieved in ponds with an area of 100 sq.m. Smaller ponds require more of our attention, because... Their biological balance is precarious. Therefore, to maintain cleanliness, these ponds include a skimmer and UV sterilizer, but still offer a chemical-free swimming area and support the growth of aquatic plants. 
It is useful to regularly enrich the water with oxygen by adding a small waterfall, stream or fountain to the pond. Although, an aerator can be used for the same purposes.
How is water purified in a pond?
You can see that the process of filtering water in a pond is not complicated:
1. Water from the swimming area flows into the regeneration area.
2. Water circulates back to the bathing area.
Through drainage pipes under the plant roots in the regeneration zone and/or after the skimmer, water is pumped through the UV sterilizer to a waterfall, stream or to the bottom of the swimming area. The pipe leading to the bottom of the swimming area is raised slightly above the bottom so that the flow of water prevents the formation of silt on the bottom.
What should the shape of the pond be?
The pond bowl looks more like a soup bowl with large rims than a bathtub. The height difference should be about 30 cm for every meter of depth. It is this shape of the pond bowl that ensures the stability of the walls. The picture shows a cross section of a pond with a planting and swimming area:
After compacting the surface layer of soil in the pit, geotextiles and a sealed liner are laid on the bottom of the pond. In the plant area there are drainage pipes and gravel. In order to separate the swimming zone from the plant zone, a small mound is formed - its top is 3 cm lower from the surface of the water. You can make it from bags of sand or gravel. The mound allows water from the swimming zone to pass into the plant zone, where the water is filtered by plant roots, and at the same time protects the plants from fluctuations in the water of the swimming zone. 
This pond design will allow you to conveniently clean the swimming area without affecting the plant area. In addition to cleaning the water, the shallow waters warm up quickly and provide habitat for frogs and other invertebrates, which you will appreciate when they begin to eat mosquito larvae. 
To imitate the natural contours of a pond, use a combination of different pond edge profiles. If you place plants on the terraces of the pond, it is better to do this in pots so that they can be easily removed when cleaning the pond.
What size pond is suitable for our site?
The optimal size of the pond is 1/10 of the area of your site.
What about mosquitoes?
One of the first questions that arises when you hear the word “do-it-yourself pond” is what about mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water, but the water in a pond will never be static, so mosquitoes will find it unattractive for their habitat. Even if at some point they appear, the ecosystem of the pond in the form of frogs will reduce their population to a minimum. 
Why make a pond at your dacha?
People who make a pond with their own hands make this decision because they want their pond to be a beautiful part of the landscape design and at the same time have a clean, attractive place for swimming on a hot day.
Is it possible to have fish in a swimming pond?
Unfortunately, fish, on the one hand, happily eat beneficial microflora, on the other hand, they are carriers of pathogenic bacteria, so there should be no fish in bathhouses. 
Is it possible to make a sandy beach on a pond?
The best solution for entering the pond is a walkway or ladder. For a beach entrance to the water, you need enough area, because... The angle of entry into the water is small. In addition, the sand quickly silts up - those beaches that we see are often simply trampled down to sand, most of the shore of the pond is usually densely overgrown with plants. 
Should I swim with frogs?
Yes, frogs are full-fledged and important inhabitants of the pond. Additionally, to purify the water in the pond, it is good to have bivalve shells or pearl barley, which filter water up to 40 liters per day. You can also get snails (coils, livebearers) - they eat dead plants and clean the pond well. 
What's the best place for a pond?
It is better to place the pond away from trees, because... falling, the leaves will rot in the pond. Moreover, growing roots can damage the waterproofing film or tilt the finished container. The illumination of the area should be about 5 hours in the morning, and the rest of the time should be in partial shade. The pond does not need high illumination because... leads to increased formation of algae and overheating of water in the reservoir. 
What to do with a pond in winter?
In winter, the pond, like natural bodies of water, freezes. There is no need to drain it. For the winter, all equipment (pumps, filters, skimmers) must be removed from the pond.
Does soil type affect the creation of a pond?
No, the composition of the soil does not affect it. There is a misconception that it is good when the groundwater level is high. In fact, groundwater at the freezing level is more of a problem. When ice freezes, it can bulge the bottom of the pond. This is especially problematic if the pond is made on the basis of a rigid finished mold. 
DIY pond made of film.
The main question when creating a pond is how to make it waterproof. There are several types of pond waterproofing - film, clay castle, concrete and rigid form installation.
Installing a rigid mold is a simple and durable method, but they are usually produced small sizes up to 3.5 sq. meters. Their service life is 10-50 years.
Waterproofing with concrete is the most expensive; in addition, to protect it from frost, it requires additional treatment with a frost-resistant agent and liquid glass.
A clay castle is the cheapest in terms of materials, but the most labor-intensive. In order to waterproof a pit with clay, the compacted soil is covered with wood ash or soot. Then a 15 cm layer of clay dough is applied to the walls and compacted. When the layer dries, apply a second 30 cm. When the layer is almost dry, crushed stone is poured onto it, slightly pressing it into the layer.
The optimal solution for the construction of ponds with an area of more than 5-6 sq.m. - film waterproofing. 
How much film is needed for a pond:
Film length= length of the pond + 2 depth of the pond + 50 cm reserve for fasteners.
Film width= pond width + 2 pond depth + 50 cm margin for fasteners.
The film is available in widths from 2 to 10 m and lengths of 10-50 m. Knowing your needs, you can choose the optimal roll. Buy the film before digging a pit; this will allow you to cover it immediately when the pit is ready, preventing its edges from fraying.
Which film to choose for a pond.
PVC film for a pond is cheaper, but over time it is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, its service life is 8-10 years.
Butyl rubber fabric is more expensive, but has protection from both ultraviolet and cold. The service life of such film is 50 years.
DIY pond construction photo.
A do-it-yourself pond begins with marking a pit. The curved shape can be marked with a hose. We remove the turf along the coastline and remove the soil with a bayonet - this will be the line of the swamp zone, then the next level of soil is removed inside the resulting border, and so on. As a result, our terraces will be 50 cm wide with slopes of 20 cm. When the pit for the pond is ready, all solid objects that can damage the film: stones, roots, etc. , we remove. We level and compact the walls and bottom of the pit. 
Before work, the film is laid for several hours on sunny place so that when it warms up, it becomes more elastic. Film installation is done in warm weather. Overlapping panels of geotextile or felt are laid on the compacted pit; they are needed to protect the waterproofing film from protruding roots and stones over time. 
A waterproofing film is spread on top of the geotextile with a margin of 50 cm along the edges of the pit. The edges are temporarily fixed with stones. The film is allowed to sag a little, smoothing and leveling it to the shape of the pit. 
The film inside the swimming area can be protected with dry stones stacked on top of each other. 
Instead of stones, you can use bags of gravel or sand. But keep in mind that it is more convenient to care for a pond with film walls. – it is easier to clean it from silt and mud. 
Fill the pit with water in portions, removing air bubbles from under the film. 
When the pond is completely filled with water, securely fix the ends of the film in a trench, which is made at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the pit. In a trench 20 cm deep, the edges of the film are wrapped in a roll and covered with stones and pebbles.
We make a pond with our own hands. Coastal decoration.
After you have made a pond with your own hands, before you start decorating the shore, you need to water it generously and wait 2-3 days, because... shrinkage is possible. In addition, during this time the water in the pond will settle.
We mask the film on the shore with crushed stones, stones, and snags. We plant plants in shallow water. A pond needs plants that saturate the water with oxygen. There are many suitable plants - reeds, crabgrass, iris, bathwort, marigold, arrowhead. Any plant that grows on the banks of a natural body of water will be suitable for your pond. Don't forget about algae, such as hornwort, which just floats in the water. Deciduous ornamental shrubs It is better to plant behind marsh herbs that are planted directly on the shore. 
Illumination adds additional charm to the pond. 
Floating flower beds look seductive on the surface of the pond. 
Pond safety.
If the family has very young children, then perhaps the construction of a pond should be postponed until they are older. It is necessary to consider visiting the pond by elderly people and school-age children. Do comfortable staircase to enter the pond, remember to clean it so it doesn't become slippery! It is better to cover all other sides of the pond, except the entrance, with plants. 
Pond care.
The new pond will find its own natural look within a year - while it forms its ecosystem. Small world your pond is very vulnerable. The pond may quickly heat up or freeze, water may evaporate, or the pond may overflow after rain. This puts stress on aquatic life that cannot immediately transition to a safer, more stable environment. 
Therefore, your pond, like any living organism, requires care. On a hot day, you need to add water, use a net to collect debris that floats on the surface, check whether the plants have grown or perhaps something has not taken root and needs to be replanted. However, a surprising number of life forms will colonize your new pond; they will quickly explore new waters and will stay if conditions suit them. 
The quiet splash of water is the most enchanting melody of a hot summer; water bewitches, attracts and seduces us with a playful play of light, transparent depth and invigorating coolness. A DIY pond will give your dacha a special charm.
At the dacha, city dwellers like to spend their free time on weekends, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. To make your vacation more enjoyable, create a pond in your yard. In this article you will learn how to do DIY pond at the dacha photo step by step. This work can be done by anyone, regardless of their level of training and knowledge. Construction will take 5-10 days and requires purchase necessary materials. As a result, you will receive an aesthetic element of landscape design with minimal monetary costs for equipment.
Before starting work, decide on the location and type of artificial reservoir. Best place- lower part with sufficient sunlight during the day. It is advisable to start construction away from large trees, which pollute the water with fallen leaves and disrupt the waterproofing. The shape of the pond depends on the wishes and imagination of the home owner. Its depth: 0.5-1.4 m.
Species classification of artificial reservoirs
The shape and size are up to you. Decide on the type of pond:
- mini. An excellent element of landscape design;
- decorative pond. It is decorated with decorative elements and plants;
- water. Designed for fish breeding;
- pool. Used for swimming.
Pay attention to the choice of the shape of the reservoir, especially the mini version. To create it, old bathtubs, deep basins and other containers made of strong, durable materials are used. The choice of base will determine the shape, size and depth. For a bathtub pond and basin, select 3-7 plant species.
Interesting fact! A round pond is easier to make than all other types! It is suitable for decorating the garden and yard of a country cottage. To form them, use concrete rings, tubs of wood and molds made of durable plastic. The use of car tires is allowed.
The rectangular shape of the reservoir is combined with flower beds of a similar shape. This best solution for landscaping the interior of the yard. The use of irregular shapes, curved lines and exotic plants is an option for fans creative solutions and modern design.
How to choose a design style
This will seem like a daunting task. To get the desired result, you should read the relevant literature and our advice. The number of modifications is huge, among them you will find the one you need. For fans of classics and brevity, the formal style is perfect. Such a pond has the exact shape simple design, a minimum number of decorative elements and plants. Arrange it on a site in the Art Nouveau, hi-tech, minimalist style.
Romantic individuals should pay attention to landscape solutions for arranging a reservoir on the site. This is naturalness irregular shapes. You are not limited by certain rules and can realize your ideas. Consider the terrain and budget so that unpleasant situations do not arise during the work. On flat terrain it is possible to create all types of ponds, and for sudden changes, slides and bridges are suitable. Here you should be careful at every stage of work, to the choice of materials, laying the film and digging a pit.
Choosing a place to get started
This is a crucial stage. Make sure there is sufficient depth of groundwater in the area to prevent unpleasant consequences in the future. The value is needed to determine the depth of the pond. Proceed to choosing a location by finding an area that gets 5-7 hours of sun a day. This way the planted plants will be able to develop and grow normally. Shady areas and places under tall trees - worst solution to begin work on an artificial pond.
Make sure that the pond looks aesthetically pleasing, harmonious, and has a proportional shape from all sides of the site. On its surface in sunny weather clouds, a house, and plants will be reflected. This beautiful element landscape design for a country cottage, available to your family right now!
When choosing a place to dig a pit, pay attention to the following factors:
- garden plot area;
- terrain;
- soil and depth of groundwater;
- amount of time exposed to direct sunlight.
Pond area- a place where the sun shines 5-7 hours a day, with good visibility from all parts of the site, a sufficient degree of surrounding landscaping. You can decorate the finished structure with plants in barrels. Provide power supply to the reservoir to provide illumination at night and connect filters, a pump, and music.
Planning is an important stage of work that should be given attention and the sequence should be considered. Decide on feasible design solutions, buy decorative elements, plants, and choose a design style. Plants are planted according to different patterns, after studying which you will create a unique composition.
The sizes of reservoirs vary. For small area Set the container to 10 liters. It will not dry out, will take up little space and will make the yard aesthetically pleasing. But growing plants and breeding fish in it is impossible. An old bathtub, plastic container, basin is suitable for it. After choosing a location, you should dig a hole 30 cm deep than the height of the container being used. Level and compact the bottom of the hole, lower the bathtub into it, filling the free space with earth.
To add naturalness to the created pond, paint the bathtub with paint. It is acceptable to use paint in natural shades, finishing materials, concrete mortar. Pots with flowers on the sides will be a beautiful decorative element of the created composition.
Medium sized pond - original solution for owners of a spacious yard. By creating such beauty yourself, you will make your yard a real work of art, turning your design ideas into reality. The device is complex, but you can make it in the following ways:
- The reservoir bowl is made of concrete mortar. This is a time-consuming and expensive method;
- installation of a purchased plastic container. It will determine the size of the pond, its shape, depth. Choose between single-level and multi-level systems;
- film with waterproof properties. Simple and fast. You will create a unique design yourself without significant time investment.
For a PVC pond, prepare a film, a shovel, ropes, bricks and gravel, sand, and stone slabs. You will need 5-7 days to work. First of all, mark out the pond using rope and stakes. After marking the dimensions, start digging a hole according to the diagram you made. For a large pit, rent an excavator. Afterwards, inspect the bottom of the hole, remove sharp stones, branches, and roots. Cover the surface with sand, 10-15 cm thick, cover it with the prepared material, level it and secure the edges of the film with stones.
The next stage is filling the prepared pit with water. Only after this should the unnecessary edges of the film be trimmed 24 hours after completion of the work. Decorate the shores using pebbles, pots, plants, and landscape figurines. Install the pump by connecting the filter. Remove all pipes unnoticed and disguise them with plants, flowers, and stones. The final stage is planting plants from the pond.
Pond sizing
Sizes do not always depend on the financial capabilities of the owner country house. The dimensions of the pit are determined by its location on the plot, the width and length of the allocated land. Also consider the following zones:
- for planting plants (10-40 cm);
- place for deep-growing plants (40-100 cm);
- for fish breeding (from 1 meter). Depends on the number and size of fish.
Interestingly, large ponds are easier to maintain than small ones. Every master will confirm these words to you.
Dimensions can be determined by the parameters of the purchased plastic container or old bath, the wishes of the house owner, the purpose of the artificial pool. Tires, bathtubs, PVC film, concrete mortar, basins, plastic bottles- all this will become material for creating an aesthetic design on a personal plot in the hands of a talented person. The choice is up to you!
Rules for digging a pit from experts
Having chosen a place for a reservoir, mark the area in accordance with the size of the container. Use sand, rope, paint, stones, and a strong stream of water for this. Then start digging. Do small amounts yourself with a shovel, and for the pool, rent special equipment and hire workers. The depth of the pit will always be 5-30 cm greater than the height of the container used.
After removing the stones from the bottom, level and compact it. Use a layer of sand 5 cm thick. Install the container or lay out a layer of film, securing it with stones along the edges. After completing the creation stages, proceed to improving the area around the reservoir. Try to give the creation a natural look by using plants, stones, and figurines planted in containers. It is possible to install a fountain to create a harmonious composition.
To achieve an unusual effect, use lighting and music, entrusting the work to a specialized company.
Don't forget to change the water artificial ponds 2 times a year. This is necessary to maintain its purity and prevent the appearance of unpleasant odor, what will happen after the development of microorganisms begins. The process is natural and cannot be prevented. To improve cleanliness, snails, water striders, and fish are used. You can catch this living creature in a river or buy it in a specialized store. An economical option is to order online.