One of the most popular ideas for landscape design is the arrangement of a decorative pond. An artificial pond creates an atmosphere of calm, tranquility and serves as an excellent decoration of the territory adjacent to the house.
Creating a miniature pond may require significant costs if specialists are involved in the work. However, this is not a reason to abandon your desires, because all the work can be done with your own hands. How to do it? We will answer this and many related questions in our article.
Types of decorative ponds
An artificial pond in the country or near a private house can be done in several ways. They differ from each other in the type of material used for arranging the bottom. It could be:
- plastic container of standard shape and volume;
- polyethylene film;
- rubber materials.
The latter option is considered the most durable and durable, however, to work with rubber sheets need special training. They need to be skillfully docked and coated with bitumen mastic. In some cases, special welding is used. Only professionals can do such work.
We will not pay attention to complex options and consider two simpler, no less reliable and especially popular ways to equip a decorative pond with our own hands.
Plastic mold pond
The option using the finished form is considered the simplest. It is used by those homeowners who do not want to spend a lot of time and money to create a reservoir on their site. To make a plastic pond, you need to purchase a finished form of the right size in a specialized store.
Such containers are made of frost-resistant fiberglass and serve more than 15 years. The range of ready-made containers for the pond is quite diverse. You can choose a product of rectangular, oval and irregular shape (with flat or winding banks).
When choosing the basis for a decorative pond, you need to consider that the finished composition will visually look smaller than an empty container. It is also important to take into account the size of the site: it should have an empty space of the corresponding area.
The appearance of a reservoir with a plastic bottom will not differ much from a real pond, the main thing is to properly arrange it.
Film bottom pond
In addition to plastic forms, special films made of polyvinyl chloride are used to create a decorative garden pond. They have different thickness and color. Each variety is used for ponds of a certain depth.
If the pond is deepened into the ground by 1.5 meters, then for its arrangement it is necessary to choose the most dense options having a thickness of 1.5 mm. For small ponds, you can purchase the most economical varieties.
The final view of the pond depends on the color of the film. When using materials of dark tones, it is possible to most accurately create the appearance of natural bottom soil. If you need to make a decorative pond with fish, then it is better to use a white or beige film. In this case, the inhabitants of the reservoir will be well visible through the water.
The bottom in light blue tones will not allow you to create a sense of naturalness, but it will make the necessary contrast both on the site itself and under water.
Pond Design Tips
Are you ready to go shopping for the necessary materials? We advise you not to rush, but to make sure that you have chosen the right place for arranging a decorative pond. It is from this decision that the longevity of the reservoir and its external condition depend.
To determine the optimal site should use the following recommendations:
- The size of the pond should be chosen depending on the size of the site. It should not exceed 1/10 of the total available area.
- The depth of the reservoir with ornamental plants may not exceed 0.5-0.6 meters, and for the life of fish and natural plants it is recommended to make a depression of 1.5 meters.
- Of great importance is the presence of groundwater on the site. If they are in close proximity to the bottom of the pond, there is a chance of its shallowing. This is due to the freezing liquid, which is able to raise the bottom of the reservoir.
- So that a do-it-yourself pond does not cause great difficulties, it must be located near sources of water and electricity.
- It is not recommended to equip ponds under the trees. Their branches and dry foliage will quickly clog the water, and sprouted roots can damage the film bottom or tilt the shape.
If the pond is exposed to the scorching sun during the day, you need to be prepared for the fact that the water will quickly evaporate. It is better that in the afternoon on the territory of the selected site there was a shadow.
Equipment and tools for the functioning of the reservoir and its maintenance
Before you make a pond, you need to think through all the details on which its functioning depends. There are not so many of them, but it will be very difficult to do without some.
Without fail, you will need:
- pump for pumping water;
- radio sockets;
- hoses for connection to a water supply system and a pump;
- lighting;
- filtering equipment (for ponds with live fish).
To care for the pond, various nets and skimmers may be required. To clean the bottom, you can purchase a special vacuum cleaner, tongs, scissors and other devices of a similar nature.
If you plan to install filtration equipment, then you need to prepare all the necessary hoses, valves and consumables.
If the means allow, you can install a fountain for a decorative pond. It will fill the courtyard with pleasant natural murmur and emphasize the refined taste of the owner of the courtyard. The decor can be made in the form of an old sculpture, or it can be represented by a normal stream of water directed upwards.
The technology of creating a reservoir with a plastic bottom
When the place is chosen and all the materials are waiting in the wings, it's time to figure out how to make a pond. First, we will analyze the technology of creating a reservoir with a plastic bottom. To equip it, you must perform the following steps:
- On the selected plot of land, you need to install the acquired form and mark its boundaries. This is done using thin pegs and rope. You can also use ordinary sand and gravel.
- About 20 centimeters need to retreat from the contour of the plastic bottom. This distance is necessary for further installation of the tank and adding soil or sand.
- Then a hole is dug. Please note that the plastic pond (its bottom) is made in the form of steps. In the same way you need to dig a hole. First, the soil is removed in size of the first level. Then, a pit is excavated for the remaining planes in stages.
- The ground under each step and all edges of the pit is carefully rammed.
- At the finished place, the form itself is installed and filled with water (1/3 part). In the intervals between its bottom and base, earth or sand is poured. The correct installation of the tank is checked by the building level.
- In order for the form to fit well, sand around it must be shed with water. In addition, within 2-3 days the soil around the pond may sag. During this period, it also needs to be watered and tamped. If necessary, you can add more land.
At this stage, the pond is almost ready. It remains to fill it with water and decorate the edges. For this purpose, pebbles of all sizes, plastushka and other types of natural stone are excellent.
You can complement the composition with a variety of figurines, plants in massive pots or live algae. Near the pond you can arrange a recreation area. For this, portable swings, sunbeds and chairs, decorated in the appropriate style, are suitable.
Materials for the manufacture of a pond with a plastic bottom
The process of building a pond with a film bottom is a bit heavier than the previous version, but it also has its advantages. One of them is considered an opportunity to show imagination. The forms of a decorative pond can be the most diverse and complex. The pond can be equipped on the slopes and hills.
In the process, you will need:
- geotextiles or rubber fabric;
- film for arranging the bottom;
- adhesive tape (for joining and repairing roll materials);
- scissors;
- materials for marking the pit.
The manufacture of a decorative pond with a film bottom is best done in the warm season. At low temperatures, polyvinyl chloride is less flexible and more prone to damage.
It is better to start work when the thermometer columns are stably kept at the level of 20 degrees. With such indicators, the material is as malleable as possible and lays well on the foundation of the most complex forms.
DIY pond manufacturing technology
The construction of a decorative pond is best started with a check of the material. Make sure that the film you have purchased is just enough to equip the pond of your desired size.
Immediately you can stock up on containers for planting live algae and various decorations.
If a submersible pump is involved in the operation of a reservoir, purchase a special bottom plate for it. It will be needed when installing the equipment. When everything is ready, you can get down to business.
The work is carried out in the following order:
- In the selected area, the future foundation pit is marked. For this, twine and wooden or metal pegs are used. At this time, the oilcloth needs to be decomposed in direct sunlight to warm up.
- A hole is dug along the outlined contours. Here you need to alternate indents and descents. This approach makes the coast more sustainable. The minimum width of the terraces is 30 cm. The angle of inclination of each slope should not exceed 45 degrees.
- The depth of the pit should be 15 cm higher than the planned depth of the pond itself. This distance is compensated during the compacting of the pit by rubble and sand.
- The finished hole in the ground needs to be cleaned of roots and stones. After that, cover the bottom of the future pond with geotextile material. Its stripes should be overlapped.
- Then you can start laying the heated film for the bottom. If the size of the canvas is not enough to cover the entire surface, the oilcloth can be glued with a special moisture-resistant adhesive. The canvas is laid as evenly as possible, with a minimum number of folds.
Now you can start filling with water. First, the pond is filled by one third. After 3-4 hours, water can be poured to the brim. Gradual filling is necessary for uniform stretching of the bottom material.
Decoration and lighting
Making a decorative pond can be done immediately after it is filled with water. First you need to trim the excess edges of the film. The rest of its parts can be rolled up into a thin roller or hidden under the decorations.
As for the past version of the pond, here you can use any decorative elements of the river theme. Small river pebbles, gravel, pebbles, and sand will come in handy. You can use a special film with sand spraying, which perfectly mimics the natural river bank.
In the center of the reservoir you can place a decorative fountain. If the pond is located on a hill, it is decorated with an artificial waterfall. For these purposes, various pumps are on sale today that continuously pump water.
An important role is played by pond lighting. A properly installed backlight can several times increase the attractiveness of the entire composition. On sale today you can find lamps that satisfy the most sophisticated requirements: ground, underwater, floating. Their limitless design allows you to perform not only the lighting function, but also be an excellent decorative decoration.
Underwater lights are mounted on a mounting plate. Their wires are hidden under a layer of pebbles or sand. An excellent effect can be achieved by combining several underwater lights installed with different angles.
A wonderful decoration will be floating appliances. Most often they are made in the form of water lilies or luminous balls. In the evening, this decoration looks very impressive.
How to keep the pond in good condition
A pond in the country can become a chic decoration and pride of the owners, but over time it may lose its presentability. Often from the owners of such ponds you can hear about the flowering of water. This is indeed the most urgent problem, but it is completely solvable.
The easiest way to combat flowering is to install a high-quality filtration system. Its presence is able to completely relieve the owner of the pond from the hassle. All she needs is periodic cleaning and replacement of consumables.
Not everyone can afford to install filtration equipment. Most summer residents can not afford such a luxury. Another method of water purification is suitable for them - the use of a bag with horse peat. It just needs to be placed at the bottom of the pond.
From time to time, part of the water from the pond should be drained and replaced with clean. From the surface of the water you need to systematically remove debris and fallen leaves. In the autumn, it is better to cover the pond with a special net, which prevents garbage from entering the water. Small ponds on the winter ray completely drain.
Liquid in large bodies of water during freezing can damage the plastic mold and film. To prevent this from happening, leave empty plastic bottles with the lid closed in the water. They will compensate for ice pressure and prevent the destruction of the bottom.
As you can see, it is not so difficult to make a pond yourself, but how effective the result will be depends on your imagination.