1. The first step to take when opening up your pond is to make sure that your pond equipment is working properly and is in good working condition.  Inspect all of  your pond equipment and test it to make sure that it is running.  It is a good idea to clean all of the equipment and replace any filters.
2. If you are having problems with the wiring of the pond equipment, take precautions to make sure that you stay safe.  If you have a more complex problem, it is a good idea to hire an electrician to ensure your safety.
3. Once you have made sure that your pond equipment is working properly, fill in your pond with water and start arranging your edging material.  Make sure to hide your pond equipment behind rocks or plants to give your pond a more natural look.  Keep your pond looking fresh and interesting by changing the material or rearranging it every year.
4. After you have filled your pond with water and arranged the edging material, place plants around your pond to add more interest and use water plants to help oxygenate the water and make your pond more appealing.  There are a variety of floating plants that look beautiful and add interest to your pond.  Use a floating pond basket to help keep the plants contained.
5. Add fish to your pond.  If your fish have been living indoors or you don’t have fish, now is the time to add the fish to your pond.  Choose goldfish or koi to add more life to your pond.  You may want to start off with a few fish and then add more if you are successful.  The more fish you add to the pond, the more waste is created and a higher demand is placed on your pond filter.

• Don’t place your pond in an area that stays wet.
• Avoid positions close to overhanging trees because leaf litter will contaminate the water.
• Don’t dig in areas where there are power cords below ground.
• Choose a level site in an area which gets sunlight for at least half the day.
• Position the pond where it can be easily observed from the house.
• Always use a circuit breaker with any pond equipment installation.

PLANTS THAT WILL BE IN YOUR POND

• Plants are the key to healthy water. A balanced pond should contain all forms of plants; bog, oxygenators, lilies and floating plants.
• Plants play an important role in establishing a healthy, clear water environment.
• Floating plants combat green water and give shelter for fish from the heat of the day.

POND FISH -Click here for Pond Fish

• The size of your pond determines how many fish it can accommodate.
• Deeper pools help to avoid the extremes of temperature which can be detrimental to fish.
• Koi are specialized fish and need much greater water volumes and space in a pond.
• Remember that fish are living creatures. Treat them with care and they’ll repay you with years of enjoyment.
• Always buy pond fish from a reputable supplies like Live Aquaria.
• Don’t be tempted to take fish from the wild as they often carry parasites and disease which will contaminate your pond.

Sunlight

Sunlight is an essential consideration when planning your pond and you should choose a spot where the pond will get at least half a day’s sun. The energy of the sun is vital to both fish and plants. Fish become more active with the warmer water temperatures and the plants need sunlight for proper growth.

Pond Waterfalls and Pond Fountains

Waterfalls and fountains do more than look good. By creating movement on the pond surface, oxygen is added to the water. This is particularly helpful during hot weather when oxygen levels are depleted and fish become listless.

Safety First

1. Excavating the hole for a large pond can be a strenuous job – enlist the help of friends or family and look after your back!
2. If you have very young children you can build a safer feature like the Oriental Fountain Pond.
3. Use a pond cover for exposed ponds where children play.

• The area in your yard where you would like to place the pond is essential to how you will set up your pond. Choose an area that is big enough for the size of pond that you would like to create. In addition, pick an area that is relatively level for your pond. If you would like to add a waterfall, look for an area that slopes into a level area. Remember that you will have to add rocks and other features around the top to camouflage the liner, so allow yourself some room to move around the pond.
• The amount of sunlight that your pond will get. If you plan on putting flowers and plants in your pond, make sure that your pond will get enough sun exposure to help the plants grow. Choose a spot that will get sunlight for about 6 hours a day.
• The location of the power supply. Since your pond equipment will need a source of power, make sure that you have an outdoor power supply nearby. In addition, before you start digging, check for markings for underground utility lines or contact the utility company. If you accidently hit a utility line, it will create a lot of extra work for you.
• The type of vegetation in the yard. Consider the types of trees and shrubs around your yard and if they drop leaves or twigs. If your tree drops a lot of leaves and twigs, it is likely that they will fall into the pond and create a lot of pond clean-up.
• Once you have chosen the type of pond and where to place it, it is important to pick a pond pump and filter that will accomodate the size of the pond. The pump and the filter will work together to keep your pond clean and healthy for plants or fish. A great pond pump for a variety of ponds is the PondMaster Pro HY-DRIVE Pump.

After considering these things, you can start working on your pond. Creating a pond takes a lot of work, but once your pond is established and thriving, you will enjoy it for many years to come. Check out Backyard Style for a variety of great pond products and more!