Project Cost Estimator

Materials Description Pond Liner Bedding Sand Rocks, Pavers, Pebbles etc Water Plants Submersible pump (optional) Optional pond filter, fountain or spray head Vinyl tubing Equipment Garden hose Shovel Wheelbarrow Spirit level Utility knife Total
All these materials you need for this job are available at Magnet Mart, your home improvement warehouse.

Quantity

Cost

Home MagnetMART Project

Home Warehouse

Build a Garden Pond

Note: Due to the general nature of this advice and its individual application, neither the publisher nor the retailer assumes any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or expense which may be incurred or suffered as a result of the use of this pamphlet. Magnet Mart 2004

Phillip Hindmarsh Dr Ph 6281 1744 Fax 6285 2493 Belconnen Lathlain St Ph 6251 4622 Fax 6253 1087 Mitchell Vicars St Ph 6241 7311 Fax 6241 7545 Gungahlin Crinigan Cir Ph 6228 9300 Fax 6228 9311 Queanbeyan Yass Rd Ph 6297 8711 Fax 6299 2226 Goulburn Sloane St Ph 4821 3533 Fax 4821 7347 Bowral Bong Bong St Ph 4861 2355 Fax 4862 1066

Easy to follow step-by-step guide Important and handy tips Materials check list Project Cost Estimator

Before you start, please read through this pamphlet carefully and estimate and assemble all the materials you will need for the project and gather your tools and equipment together. Refer to the checklist and estimating form on the back panel of the pamphlet to assist in this preparation.

You Can Build a Garden Pond Building A Lined Pond

A water feature in your garden provides a focal point and adds great appeal to your outdoor living. Ponds are simple to install and may be stocked with fish and a range of interesting marsh and water plants. This brochure outlines the basics of building a pond with a butyl rubber liner. Read the instructions carefully and assemble all the materials and tools you will need for the job prior to commencing work. The Project Estimator in this brochure will assist you to collate materials and costs for your pond. These instructions relate to building a pond using a butyl rubber pond liner, allowing a wide range of design options for the DIY pond installer. 1. Lay out the plan of the pond using a garden hose to mark the pond outline (see Fig 1). For a square or rectangular pond, use a string line stretched between stakes to mark the outline (see Fig 2).

Siting The Pond

Look at your garden and think about the best location for the new pond, ideally it should be at the lowest point as water would naturally gather there. If this is not appropriate, site the pond where it will receive adequate sunlight and be seen to best effect. Take note of your house plans and see if there are any underground essential service lines passing under your proposed site better to be sure before you start digging! If you wish to install a fountain, pond filter or cascade you will need easy access to a power point for the pump.
Fig 1 Mark the pond outline with a garden hose.

Size and Shape

Generally, the larger and deeper a pond, the better it will be for fish and water plants. Small ponds tend to dry out quickly in hot weather and the water temperature fluctuates widely, making it unsuitable for some plants and fish. Of course, you need to consider how much digging you are prepared to do in deciding the final size. If you plan to build a pond using a rubber liner, the shape can be irregular as the liner can be fitted to just about any shape you wish. If you are installing a fibreglass pond, remember that at least 600mm depth is best for water lilies and similar deep-water plants. This depth will also help to protect your fish from temperature extremes and predatory birds.

Fig 2 Use string line for a square or rectangular pond.

2. Scrape away the topsoil and save it for future use this dark humus is valuable to either spread over your garden or use to establish new plantings around the pond. 3. Dig the pond, sloping the sides at an angle of around 45o, you can incorporate shallow shelves around the edge of the pond for potted water plants as you dig (see Fig 3).
Fig 3 Incorporate shallow shelves for water plants.

Fig 7 Unroll the lining across the pond.

Fig 4 Allow overflow on the low side of the pond and away from buildings.

4. While shaping the pond, think about where overflow water will go in the event of heavy rain it is worth making provision for an overflow on the low side of the pond (see Fig 4), ensuring that the water will be directed away from the nearest building.

7. Take the rolled-up liner and place it at one end of the pond, with the help of an assistant, unroll the liner across the pond, laying it gently into the excavation (see Fig 7). 8. Mould the liner with your hands to the shape of the pond (see Fig 8), it is not necessary to smooth out every wrinkle, but do ensure that there is sufficient liner to conform to the internal shape of the pond.
Fig 8 Mould the liner to the shape of the pond.

Fig 5 Ensure edges are level with a spirit level.

5. Use a spirit level and length of timber to check that the edges are level (see Fig 5). Clear the excavation of any protruding rocks or other objects that may damage the liner.

9. Secure the edges of the liner with stones or bricks and start to fill the pond with water (see Fig 9). Watch the liner as the pond fills as you may need release sections of the liner to allow it to settle into the hole. 10. Allow the pond to settle for a few days, checking for leaks prior to completing the pond edging.
Fig 9 Secure the liner with rocks and bricks before filling up the pond.

Fig 6 Smooth out the sand layer.

6. Prepare the excavation for the liner by first lining it with a 50 80mm layer of sand, smoothing the sand layer with a trowel, spade or piece of timber (see Fig 6).

Fig 10 Dig a trench to hide the overhanging liner.

Some design guidelines for cascades:

Fig 12Create a cascade.

11. Dig a 150mm deep trench all around the pond to hide the overhanging liner (see Fig 10). Lay the excess liner in the trench and cover with soil, cut off any liner that cannot be buried in the trench.
Fig 11 Place flat rocks over the edge of the pond.

Sloping blocks are best for creating a cascade, but you can construct an effective one on a flat block if you keep the system low and wide to give the impression of a natural system (see Fig 12). One or two very large bush rocks can add a great deal of character to your water feature, providing sheltered spots for plantings and habitat for frogs once the system is established. Use pond liner to construct the waterway, placing stones and a layer of pebbles at the edges to create a natural appearance. Place stones and river pebbles at the bottom of each fall to protect the liner from the force of the water. Each fall should be a vertical drop of at least 150mm, remembering that the higher the fall, the volume of water the pump will move will be reduced. Set the pump in the lowest pond about 100mm above the pond bottom to keep it free of weed and sludge. Placing the pump under the falling water will reduce turbulence in the lower pool. Use vinyl tubing buried underground to take the water back up to the top of the system (see Fig 13). Ensure that the pump is safely connected to a power supply. Solar energy pumps are available, obviously on cloudy days or at night these pumps dont work without a backup power supply.

12. Complete the edging by placing flat rocks, timber sleepers or pavers around the pond (see Fig 11) ensure that the edging hides the liner and the trench from view, giving your pond a natural look. Now you can stock your pond with fish and plants to complete your new garden feature. Treat the pond with a suitable ageing solution before adding fish for more information consult your nearest aquarium specialist.

Adding Interesting Features

In your planning, consider the addition of a small fountain or a flowing cascade. Fountains can be run cheaply using a low voltage submersible pump installed in the bottom of your pond. A cascade will involve the excavation of a series of ponds and the addition of some rocks to create the illusion of a natural creek system. Magnet Mart has a range of pumps suited to all types of garden ponds, for advice on the pump to suit your needs talk to one of our friendly Garden Department staff.

Fig 13Set the pump system.