Nothing fancy here, just a simple list of the tips we’ve learned over the years!

• Locate your pond as close to your living space as possible
• Dig one area 36”-48” deep (approx 30% of the pond)
• Always use sand and underlayment under your liner
• Calculate liner size by  adding 2xdepth + length + 2; 2xdepth + width + 2

Example: a pond  3’deep x 10’long x 7’wide would require a liner 18’x 15’.

[(2x3) +10+2=18; (2x3) +7+2=15]

• Calculate gallons by multiplying ave. length x ave. width x ave. depth x 7.5
  

  In the example above, assuming an average depth of 24”, the calculation is
  7’x 10’x 2’ = 140 x 7.5 = 1050 gallons. (7.5 gal/cuft.)

  NOTE: using a flow meter the first time you fill your pond will give you an exact volume.  Knowing the total volume of your pond is important for both water and fish treatments.

• It is generally not good to line the bottom of your pond with gravel
• Use a pump that will circulate your water minimally every 1-2 hours
• Choose an energy efficient pump to conserve on electricity cost
• Choose plants from all four categories: floating, oxygenating, deep water and marginal.
• Use enough plants to cover 50-60% of the surface by mid season
• Fertilize lilies and lotus monthly for optimum performance
• Use both mechanical and biological filtration
• Add beneficial bacteria regularly to keep your system clean and healthy
• Clean mechanical filters whenever the pump flow rate slows down
• Clean bio-filters only if necessary and use pond water, not tap water
• Aeration is critical to the health of your pond and aquatic life
• Run your filtration pump 24/7
• Replace UV bulbs annually
• Do not over stock your pond
• Do not over feed your fish (feed only what they will eat in 5-10 minutes)
• Feed a good quality, fresh food
• Test pH, ammonia and nitrite levels regularly
• Do not feed your fish when water temperature is below 50F.
• Maintain a vent hole in the ice on your pond throughout the winter.