How to Level a Fish Pond
When building a fish pond in your lansdscape, it is important to ensure that the sides of the pond are level. This allows it to fill properly and prevents possible overflows that will leave the water level too low. Insufficient water is not only unattractive, it can interfere with the maintenance of the pond and reduce the living space for your fish. The process of leveling a pond is relatively simple and can save a lot of trouble, if done at the right time in the construction process.
Leveling a Fish Pond
Place the 2x4 board across the width of the hole at one end of the pond, immediately after the hole has been excavated, but before any type of liner is put in place.
Place the carpenter's level on the 2x4 board at the mid-point between the sides of the fish pond. Take the level of the board.
- When building a fish pond in your lansdscape, it is important to ensure that the sides of the pond are level.
- Place the 2x4 board across the width of the hole at one end of the pond, immediately after the hole has been excavated, but before any type of liner is put in place.
Add soil the low side or remove soil from the high side of the hole until the level reads true. Ensure that the soil is tamped down well to prevent settling later.
Move the 2x4 board over one foot. Repeat the procedure, adding or removing soil until the board is level. Continue to level the pond in one foot increments until the entire length of the hole has been covered.
Turn the board 90 degrees and start the process again, along the width of the hole. Work your way across the hole, leveling as you go.
- Add soil the low side or remove soil from the high side of the hole until the level reads true.
Ensure that there is sufficient soil around the pond hole to support the leveling work being done. This will help prevent later settling and failure of the soil when the pressure of the water in the pond bears against it.
Kind Of Pump Do I Need For A Small Fish Pond?
Although a water garden or pond without fish can subsist well with a pump that runs intermittently, a pond with fish requires a continuous-duty pump. That pump should be designed specifically to run continuously. Other kinds of pumps may burn out after a short period, such as a few months. Two main kinds of pumps exist: those that are mounted outside a pond and those that work underneath the pond water. Although the kind for under the water is more subtle and leads to a prettier effect because it isn't visible, it is safer to use a pump that mounts above ground, outside the pond, for a fish pond. Pumps don’t necessarily include filtration systems. Fish waste is high in ammonia, however; when it builds up, it can harm fish. Using a pump with a filtration system is wise, especially if your small fish pond tends to turn mucky quickly. So choose a pump with the lowest wattage that can still handle your pond's amount of water. Using a pump that combines filter and water circulation can decrease your energy costs compared to using a pump and filter that are separate devices.
- Ensure that there is sufficient soil around the pond hole to support the leveling work being done.
- Although the kind for under the water is more subtle and leads to a prettier effect because it isn't visible, it is safer to use a pump that mounts above ground, outside the pond, for a fish pond.
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In Jacksonville, Fla., Frank Whittemore is a content strategist with over a decade of experience as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and a licensed paramedic. He has over 15 years experience writing for several Fortune 500 companies. Whittemore writes on topics in medicine, nature, science, technology, the arts, cuisine, travel and sports.
