How to decide and use pond depth to suit your pond idea
Have you decided to go for an unusual shape or larger pond ... then EPDM pond liner is your perfect choice. Find the right place, measure the right size and the rest is easy. Depth of pond can be important
You will often be told that a pond should be at least 1 metre or more deep. This is quite simply wrong for many garden situations. Unless you want a large pond and you have a particular interest in wanting to grow large fish then a depth of between 35 cm and 60 cm is perfectly adequate for a basic garden pond. On the other hand there is nothing wrong with deeper ponds and there are some advantages such as less temperature fluctuation, greater protection from birds and so on.
There is one condition where a deeper pond is a definite pre-requisite even for small ponds and that is where winters are long and cold. In these circumstances even deep ponds can freeze to a level, which makes it impossible for fish to survive the winter.
EPDM rubber is probably the best
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You need to know the width of the final pond at its widest point and add at the very least 60 cm for edging.
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You must then also add the depth and the depth again. For example if you want a pond 2 metres wide and 1 metre deep the width of liner will be 2+1+1+0.6 (for edging) = 4.6 metres.
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For the length repeat this process. For example if you want the above pond to be 3 metres long then the length of the liner must be 3+1+1+0.6 (for edging) = 5.6 metres.
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The complete specification for the liner must be 5.6 metres by 4.6 metres. Do not forget to allow for the edging.
Pond depth ... here is a good general guide:
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Depth Of Pond Guidelines |
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Surface Area in sq. m (sq feet) |
Depth in cm (inches) |
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Up to 5 (50) |
Up to 60 (24) |
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5 to 12 (50 to 120) |
Up to 100 (40) |
In colder climates be aware that a shallow pond will tend to freeze more easily than a larger one.
300 litres (75 gallons) of water per square metre (10 sq feet) of pond surface should be around the minimum consideration when designing your ponds size. This means not less than a 30cm (12 inches) depth for a pond 1 metre by 1 metre in area (3 feet by 3 feet) please note converted units are approximate
Avoid building overly complex shapes. Keep the pond simple and use plants to create form and shape. For smaller ponds do consider buying a pond with the edging already built into it. You will be pleased with the result and it will save an enormous amount of effort.
Black is an excellent colour for a pond since it creates contrast for the fish and plants and also gives an illusion of greater depth. Sooner or later however all surfaces will become a rich green colour as there is a natural and desirable algae build up. Your fish will forage in this field.
If you are going to build a liner pond then before placing the liner in the excavated hole it is important to line the hole with old carpet, carpet underlay, specially designed underlay, newspapers, fine sand or something like this to prevent possibly sharp stones finding their way to the interface with the liner and possibly puncturing the liner.
New article ... Damsels and Dragons around your water garden should be encouraged
This web page is an extract from Tony Roocroft's "The Complete Pond Solver" ... you can read more about it at http://www.really-useful-books.comHow to install a pond liner for an in-ground fish pond
How to install a preformed garden fish pond liner in ground
How to install EPDM pond liners in ground or above ground ponds
How to Make a Small Pond Filter Bigger ... It's Easy.
How to Work Out the Right Pond Liner Size
Improve your garden fish pond create a nighttime mood and
