Water features, ponds, pumps clean clear pond water

Pondkeeper's How to...

New owner of ponds, water features and water fountains

The new pond or water features owner

For potential new pond owners do site your pond correctly. The most important location for your pond is where you can enjoy it the most and also most of the time. Other than that the following need serious consideration:

Full sunlight for at least part of the day is necessary for the benefit of all the plants, fish and other inhabitants. Flowering water plants will not easily flower without sufficient sunshine
Shade in moderation will provide respite for your fish during the heat of the day and this can be provided with plants.
Your pond will cost you money so location can also be a means of saving money. Bear in mind you will need electricity .. how far from the source of power will your pond be?
Avoid treed areas and especially deciduous trees whose leaves will pollute the water in autumn. Remember also some leaves are even poisonous to wildlife.
In cooler climates avoid exposing the pond to prevailing winds.
Site and landscape your pond to avoid surface water from rain pouring into the pond.
Smaller ponds heat up and cool down quickly and as such the inhabitants are exposed to significant temperature cycles.
Build the biggest pond you can afford bearing in mind
positioning limitations
A pond whose main purpose is to provide a garden highlight need be no deeper than about 50 or 60 cm (say 2 feet). On the other hand if growing large koi is your ambition then a pond 6 feet deep is about right.
Keep the pond shape as simple as possible unless you buy a preformed pond. Use plants, edging and waterfalls to enhance appearance.
A waterfall or stream feature should be in proportion to the pond - gurgling brooks, tinkling waterfalls are far better than miniature Niagara Falls and also cheaper.

Here is the most important siting consideration again – put the pond where you and your family can ENJOY IT MOST ......... that is why you are going to build a pond isn't it?