The graceful movements of fish in water have immense therapeutic effect on our mind. A minute spend at watching fish swim in aquarium or pond is said to have a very calming effect on human mind. Hence, many people try to fit a small aquarium in their homes. If you are fortunate to have a sprawling backyard, then you might consider building a fish pond. Fish pond, along with aquatic plants is a great landscape design idea. However, you need to consider a few factors before going for fish pond design. More on aquarium fish.
Fish Pond Design Ideas
Type of Aquatic Life
This is the foremost factor one needs to take into account while designing a fish pond. The species of fish decides the size of the pond as well as the selection of other aquatic plants. For instance, if you are planning to have koi fish, you will need a fairly large koi pond, since koi tends to grow to an enormous size in a short time. Also, you will have to restrict the amount of aquatic plants, since koi eats them away. However, goldfish can peacefully live in smaller ponds with other vegetation. More on aquarium fish types.
Selection of the Site
Once you have decided upon the inhabitants of your fish pond, it becomes easier to select an appropriate location for your pond. Preferably, the fish pond should be as close to your home as possible, so that you can easily enjoy its view and also keep a watchful eye. As mentioned above, the size of the pond would depend upon the available space as well as the occupants. Ideally, a fish pond should be at least 2 ft deep with a capacity of 1000 gallons of water. If you live in a very cold region, then you might have to make provision for at least 12'' to 16'' of space below the freezing zone.
Another major consideration while selecting the site for fish pond is the placement of trees. If you have trees surrounding the pond, you might have to face problems in future. Deciduous and conifers are known to impair the quality of water, hence are best planted away from the pond. The leaves and other debris from trees falling in the pond can require regular clean up and may add to your maintenance cost. Moreover, the roots of nearby trees may protrude and damage your carefully constructed fish pond. The rain water run off should also be taken care of, as the rain water may carry fertilizers or other chemicals that can be detrimental to aquatic life in your pond. More on koi pond maintenance.
Design and Implement
This is the final stage of your fish pond design, wherein you are required to select an appropriate design as per your individual requirements. In case you are wondering about how to design a fish pond, then you can opt for a fish pond design software that may enable you to design a pond as per your specifications and requirements. A block rendered, resin sealed design provides the basis for constructing an ideal fish pond. Before you excavate the earth for building pond, you should be prepared with a thorough plan depicting the positions of bottom drains, pipework, pond filters, skimmers and pond pumps.
Read more on I hope the fish pond design ideas given in this article help you in constructing a beautiful fish pond. If you have any doubt regarding the installation of the fish pond assembly, do not hesitate to consult a professional as it is directly concerned with the life of your fish.
By Ashwini Kulkarni