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So what do you need to build a pond yourself? Well, your best bet is to purchase a kit that comes complete with everything you need from your local water garden retailer, but if you’ve decided to do it yourself, there are a few things you need.
Whether your build a pond from scratch or from a kit, it’s recommended that you have a shovel, a hand tamper, a wheelbarrow, a power source run by an electrician, a water source, a good selection of rocks, mulch, top soil, a good sense of humor, and some friends who really owe you! Other than that, here are the products you’ll need for both liner and preformed ponds:
- Skimmer and Rock Lid – Deposits surface debris in an easy-to-remove bag and breaks the surface tension for a clearer pond. Rock lid camouflages the skimmer.
- Biological Filter and Waterfall Stone – Disappears from view by becoming a waterfall. Bacteria live inside, cleaning the water. Waterfall stone provides spillway if natural rock is not used.
- Pump – A high-efficiency pump provides the best value for your money.
- Check Valve – Allows easy pump removal while preventing the biological filter from draining when the electricity is turned off.
- PVC Flex-Pipe – Easy to install and extremely flexible. Connects the skimmer to the biological filter.
- Liner – If you’ve decided on a liner pond, fish-safe EPDM is best. Many liners have a 20-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
- Preformed Tub – If you’re going for a preformed pond, find the tub that’s shaped to your liking. There are different shapes to choose from.
- Underlayment – Acts as padding for the liner. Allows gasses to escape from beneath the liner.
- Underwater Lights – Comes with a transformer that extends the enjoyment of a pond into the evening. Automatic timer can be pre-set or used manually.
- Bacteria – Helps start and maintain a pond’s health. Adding to the bacterial colonies on the filters and stones, which helps keep the water clear.
- Filtration Media – Provides high surface area for bacteria to colonize and clean the water, and catches and traps small debris.
- Skimmer Bag – Catches and easily removes large debris.
- Filter Support Racks – Acts as a base for filter material while strengthening filter walls.
- Bulk Head Fitting – Forms a water-tight seal in the skimmer overflow and the biological filter hook-up.
- Liner Patch – Water-tight patch seals accidental holes in the liner.
- Expanding Foam – Expands and seals gaps between the stones, the biological filter, and liner. Diverts water over stones, instead of beneath them.
- Silicone – Forms a water-tight seal between the biological filter snout, skimmer, and liner.
- PVC Glue and Primer – Bonds the PVC pipe to the coupling in the biological filter. Designed for flexible PVC pipe.
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