A Guide to Understanding Artificial Ponds

Ponds, whether natural or artificial, add tranquility and beauty to outdoor spaces. Backyards, parks, and even gardens are all accentuated by this type of water feature. Moreover, ponds stand out from other water features given as they are an entire ecosystem unto themselves.

When you are not so lucky as to have a natural pond in your backyard, an artificial pond could fill that void for you. How ever, like most people, you might be worried about maintenance that is required and whether you will be able to keep up. Other concerns such as pond costs and property size may also be on your list of dissuading factors.

If you are sitting on the fence due to such uncertainties, read on to get a better understanding of artificial ponds.

Mini pond water feature Image from solar-gadget.de

What Are They?

Artificial ponds are man-made ponds with a lining or shell at the bottom that holds the water. The structure is designed with a water inlet that is connected to a water source. It also has an outlet that is used for drainage during maintenance.

The purpose of an artificial pond can be aesthetic or fish breeding. In most cases, the design that is installed is dependent on how the pond will be used. The fish breeding varieties are often more complex as optimal conditions need to be maintained for fish to breed and thrive.

Types of Artificial Ponds

The types of artificial ponds you can choose from are a dime a dozen. They vary in shape and size with some firms even offering custom designs. However, the more popular choices include:

Koi Ponds

These ponds are named after Koi fish which are the national fish of Japan. They are elegant colorful fish that are considered symbols of good luck which is possibly why they are so popular. That said, they are high-maintenance and have an even higher metabolism.

Koi ponds are designed to cater to the unique needs of Koi fish. They typically have a depth of about 60ft so that the fish have enough water supply and room to swim around. Koi ponds also require a robust drainage system due to the high rate of waste production by Koi fish.

Garden Ponds

Garden ponds are mainly used for beautification. They can be designed in different shapes and also vary in depth and size. Suffice to say, it is a game of preference. Compared to Koi ponds they are not too demanding in terms of care and also offer more decorative freedom.

Installation

The first step in the installation is choosing where you would like to have your pond. Relatively flat land is preferable to avoid an erosion effect during the rainy season. Further, avoid areas that are directly under trees that shed leaves as you would end up having to clean your pond every other day.

The installation process begins with digging a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the size of the pond shell or liner. It is advisable to figure out drainage issues and inlet connections at this point before laying in the shell or liner. When the liner is firmly in place, the pond can then be filled, tested, and spruced up.

Some people choose to install their ponds on their own. However, if you are not handy or your pond is a complex design, get professionals to do it. Some companies may even offer installation as a free after-sale service. It would be a shame to damage your investment in a DIY experiment gone wrong.

Aesthetics Image from outdoorchief.com

Beautification

The pond is undoubtedly beautiful on its own but you could accessorize it a little to make it even better. Consider:

Flowers

  • Growing some flowers around your pond is a great way to demarcate it with some color. Plus, unlike trees and larger plants, flowers hardly shed leaves.

Fish

  • The varieties of fish you can add to your pond are vast. It all depends on how many you can sustain in terms of feeding and space in the pond. Some fish like mollies are also very helpful as they feed on algae which helps to keep the pond clean.

Rocks and Submerged Plants

  • There are decorative artificial rocks and submerged plants for sale and natural alternatives as well. They have both aesthetic and functional value. Fish use them as a place to hide for rest or breeding. They also cover the pond liner and protect it from damage and perforation by foreign elements.

Maintenance

When choosing filtration media, aim for products like pond ceramic filter media that have a high filtration efficiency. Buying ineffective filters is just as bad as having none. A UV sterilizer is also preferable as it kills germs with no side-effects to the fish or ecosystem.

Brushes and skimmers are cleaning tools that you will need often. They should therefore be durable but also conducive for the fish in the pond. Overly abrasive brushes could ruin fish eggs and cause other kinds of damage.

The main anchor of good pond maintenance is quality equipment. It would be prudent to invest in:

  • Filter media
  • Sterilization devices
  • Cleaning brushes
  • A skimmer
Outdoor Pond Cleaning Image from Kristi Waterworth

Conclusion

All factors considered, artificial ponds are not as daunting as they may seem at first glance. As long as the installation is done right and you understand how to care for them, the rest is easy. Now that you have a clearer picture of the workings of artificial ponds, where do you stand, yay or nay?