How to make a pond on the site by yourself: step by step instruction

How pleasant it is to spend a few hours in a hot summer time near a shady pond or lake! Of course, it's great if there is one in the neighborhood. However, most often we spend free summer days at the cottage, and not everyone has money for a big country house and landscape designer services. In this case, there is nothing else than to make a pond with your own hands, especially since it is not so difficult. It all depends on your imagination, the size of the site and what is at hand. If you put a little effort and money, the country pond will not only please you, but also cause burning envy in your neighbors.

Choose a place: general recommendations

The size and shape of your artificial reservoir primarily depends on the area allocated for this purpose plot. But the larger the area of the pond, the easier it is to take care of it - the small one needs to be cleaned more often. If you plan to have fish and plant many aquatic plants, then a small pond will not work for you, because it is very difficult to maintain the correct eco-balance.

The best place for a house pond is an open part of the plot, at the same time protected from a strong wind. Do not place the pond in a well-lit place: the location should be such that the sun's rays do not fall into the water for more than 6 hours in a row, otherwise it will blossom, and only frogs can live there. Doubtful prospect, right? At the same time, if the lighting is not enough, the plants will develop slowly, and a beautiful corner for rest will not work.

If you decide to equip a small fountain, you will definitely need a pond scheme to properly connect the pump and other equipment. With a little effort, you can sketch out the plan yourself. Of course, at the same time it will be necessary to consider the proximity of the location of the power supply network.

Do not place your home pond under the trees. Firstly, this will lead to additional contamination of the water with fallen leaves, and the pond will have to be cleaned much more often, and secondly, the roots of the tree can damage the bed of the reservoir, and it will dry up quickly.

And, of course, the whole idea will become useless if you can not enjoy a beautiful view from the window or from the terrace, so when planning to make a pond on the site with your own hands, do not forget about the aesthetic side of the matter.

Home pond on a rigid basis

If you are a proponent of a thorough, durable construction, you can approach the process with a sweep: dig a sufficient foundation pit and use metal reinforcement and cement to pour a reinforced concrete pond bowl. This design, of course, will cost a lot, but it will last for many years (at least 30). If you are not a supporter of a global approach, you can do with the option easier and cheaper.

So, how to make a pond with your own hands? One of the most elementary ways to make a dream come true is the ready-made "cup", which can be purchased at the store. Perhaps the main drawback of this option is that you will not be able to come up with your original shape of the reservoir, you will have to be satisfied with the offered assortment.

The cheapest solution is a small plastic pond, from 4 to 8 m ² . Of course, there are more molds, but they already belong to the pool category and are much more expensive. When choosing a container, it is necessary to pay attention to its depth - it should be at least 0.8-1 meter. In summer, the water in this pond will warm up completely, and all its inhabitants will be comfortable, but in winter such a pond will not freeze to the bottom, which is also very important.

If you decided to organize a pond on the site with your own hands and want to use a ready-made foundation for this, you first need to study the materials from which the shapes are made - here there are also several nuances.

The simplest and cheapest option can be a conventional plastic container, but it has its drawbacks. First of all, you need to be very careful when transporting and installing - this tank can crack even with a slight bend. Also, plastic has the property to break down from sunlight, which means that the service life of such a product is not too great - 5-10 years.

If you want your reservoir to last longer, choose molds from special reinforced plastic - they have a much longer life (up to 20 years). Such reservoirs are more plastic and less exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

The most qualitative and, of course, expensive are products made of fiberglass on a rubber basis. Such a form is resistant to temperature changes, it does not destroy from exposure to sunlight and does not emit harmful substances into the water, which is very important for the inhabitants of the reservoir. It will last for more than 30 years, besides, it can be repaired, which prolongs the time of use for almost an unlimited period.

The construction of ponds made of fiberglass baths is a simple process, and the result is quite aesthetic, as these forms come in different colors, and some even bear a coating simulating stones, sand or small pebbles. This allows you to beautifully mask the edges of the reservoir and give it the most natural appearance.

We build ourselves

So, in order to build a pond on the site with your own hands, you first need to determine the location and shape of the pond. Determined? We begin construction work:

1. First, we mark out the contour of the pit. It is very simple to do this - put the shape in the right place and outline its silhouette with a conventional bayonet shovel, tightly pressing the shank in the edge of the bath.
2. To the resulting contour add about 20 cm to pour the plastic pond with sand.
3. If you have acquired a form with ledges, then each level should be marked and scooped separately, from the largest to the smaller, but do not forget to add 10-15 cm on each floor for the sand substrate.
4. When the pit is ready, its edges should be properly leveled and tamped, choose all the glass, stones and tree roots. If you do not do this, you can damage the form. Then you need to pour and carefully sand the sand with a layer of at least 10 cm - this will protect your pond from subsidence.
5. Install the plastic mold and make sure it is level , for this you can use the building level and rule. Then gently fill the pond with water about a third, while trying not to move it from the spot.
6. Gaps between the edge of the excavation and the form gently with sand. At the same time, care should be taken that no voids remain. Why periodically water the soil with water, but try to keep the pressure is not too strong.

Within a week after installation, water the ground around the pond regularly and pour in the sand as needed. After the subsidence of the soil stops, you can completely fill the pond, zadekorirovat edge of the pond with stones, flagstone and plant ornamental plants.

Summer cottage of flexible materials

Now let's talk about how to make a pond on the site, if you can not get a ready capacity or you want to equip a large pond with a bizarre shape.

The most budgetary option in this case will be the use of conventional polyethylene with a thickness of at least 500 microns. However, despite the fact that it is quite inexpensive, there are quite a few disadvantages to such coverage. The fact that polyethylene - a fairly thin material, it is very easy to damage, and under the influence of sunlight, and it does become fragile and quickly destroyed. The reservoir on the polyethylene substrate will last you 2-3 years maximum.

PVC film for the pond - the material is also not too expensive, but much more durable, this coating can withstand 8-10 years. Polyvinylchloride coatings are conventional and two-layer, in which a woven net is laid for strength. Of course, PVC has the same drawbacks as polyethylene - it breaks down under the action of ultraviolet light, it is easily cut and torn, but, unlike the latter, it can be repaired. For this special sets are sold. In addition, PVC stretches better, and after filling the pond with water, most folds eventually stretch and straighten.

The most expensive, but at the same time, the most high-quality is a coating made of butyl rubber: the life of this material is about 50 years, and even the sun's rays do not concern it. In addition, butyl rubber is not afraid of low temperatures, so you do not have to drain water from the pond in the winter. It is very flexible and plastic material, capable of withstanding significant loads, so if you decide to equip a spacious pond of unusual shape, you can not do without it.

We mark the pit

To equip a pond on the site with your own hands, you will need:

• Pegs;
• rope;
• Film coating;
• Geotextile or felt;
• sand;
• Rubble or pebbles;
• shovel;
• A special set for the repair of film coating;
• Bricks;
• Level of construction ;
• Garden hose for irrigation;

With the help of twine and pegs it is necessary to mark out the desired form of excavation and start earthworks. If you plan to break a fairly large pond, you can draw an excavator. In the process of work, it is necessary to ensure that the ledges and descents alternate, this will make the pond banks more stable. Also need to provide a terrace (width of at least 30 cm) for planting. Descents from one level to another must be made sufficiently flat, with an angle of inclination up to 45 °.

It is worth remembering that the depth of the pond should not be less than 80 cm, otherwise in winter the water in it will freeze to the bottom, and its inhabitants will perish. Thus, it is necessary to dig a pit, approximately 15-20 centimeters above the estimated size of the reservoir. This is necessary in order to be able to pour the terrace and the bottom of the pond with sand, in order to avoid subsidence and damage to the film. The sand pillow must be carefully leveled and tamped, after removing all pebbles, sharp sticks and plant roots from the bottom.

Drainage and waterproofing

When the drain cushion of sand is ready, proceed to the next stage of the work. To ensure that the film for the pond remains intact for as long as possible, it is necessary to lay a geotextile on the sand layer, preferably in 2 layers. Further, we straighten the film itself and fix it on the banks with the help of bricks or large stones. Do not try to spread out and spread out all the folds - let water do it for you.

Flexible garden hose placed in such a way that its end was in the center of the future reservoir, and begin to serve water, making sure that the pressure was not too strong. As the pond is filled with water, partially release the edges of the film and straighten it along the slopes of the pit. After the pond is filled to the brim, leave it for 1-2 days. During this time, under the weight of water, the film will crack down and fill all the voids.

After she completely begs, you need to cut off excess parts, leaving at least 40-50 cm for the arrangement of the coast. The edges are fixed using pegs or special metal arches, and then masked with flagstone, large stones and pebbles. It's time to install the pump, to decorate the hoses from the fountains and to plant the plants.

Pond above the land in the country

When there are kids in the family, one of the main problems in the construction of a pond: how to make a pond safe. It is best if such a pond is slightly elevated above the surface of the soil. Firstly, it greatly facilitates the care of him, and secondly, the risk that small children or pets will accidentally fall there significantly decreases.

In this case, you can not do without a reinforced concrete foundation. Dig the pond foundation in its deepest part, form terraces for plants, as well as in the previous case. On the banks of the reservoir using wooden formwork, pour a concrete foundation of the desired height, for strength it can be reinforced with a metal mesh. After the foundation is completely dry and will stand (it will take at least two days), the formwork can be removed and the inner walls plastered to smoothness. This will help prevent film rupture. We lining the bottom of the pit and fill the bowl with water. In this case, the edges of the material are fixed so that they are behind the concrete fence. After the pond is filled, let the water settle, cut off the excess film, fix it and decorate the edges of the bowl.

Inventory: what will be needed

Of course, the construction of ponds is not easy, but what you will not do for yourself is a favorite, because if everything is organized correctly, the result will be pleasing to the eye for more than one year.

However, it is not enough to build a home pond - it needs to be taken care of. Here are some technical devices that are very useful for you:

1. Garden tools for cleaning the water mirror from leaves, twigs and other debris. It can be a variety of nets, skimmers, scissors, devices for cleaning the bottom, water vacuum cleaners and so on.
2. Special hoses that can withstand a long (up to several years) presence in the water.
3. Radio outlets - you will need them to connect to the power supply of the fountains, lighting and cleaning filter.
4. If you want to start fish, you can not do without a biofiltration plant, a UV lamp and other devices.
5. And, of course, you need a pump for pumping water, which will allow you to partially renew the liquid, and also drain the pond for the winter period.

Rules of care of a cottage house

Pond in the garden - this is certainly very beautiful, but if you do not want to become a happy owner of a personal swamp, in which in the evenings croaking frogs, then you need to take care of it properly. First of all, you need to make sure that the water does not bloom in it. Of course, it is best to purchase a special purification system, but this, unfortunately, is not a cheap pleasure. However, there is another, more accessible means: take a bag of canvas and stuff it with horse peat. Place such a "surprise" under the water, and there will be practically no algae at the bottom of the pond.

It is also necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the reservoir - regularly remove debris from the surface and add water as evaporation. If your pond is small, then it is recommended to completely drain it for the winter, and for large tanks it is necessary to clean it at least 2-3 times a year, while water must be completely pumped out.

From what is at hand

And what about those who are not allowed to accommodate even a small pond? Do not worry: a small pond can be arranged in the front garden, having adapted for these purposes a cut metal barrel or just a large basin. Such a mini-pond can be placed even on the balcony of a city apartment, having zadekorirovat capacity glued pebbles or mosaic. Of course, you can not hear the gurgling of a fountain near such a "reservoir", but the cool and lush green of aquatic plants are provided to you.