Advice For Starting a Backyard Pond (& Mistakes to Avoid)

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Whether you want to install a preformed pond or add another type of small backyard pond, this will walk you through how it works and what you need to consider first.

If you are looking for design ideas, have a look at the backyard pond idea gallery here.

Small pond form ready to install in backyard.

Advice for Starting a Garden Pond

A pre-formed garden pond ready for installation in the yard.

I’ve had several different types of ponds over the years and no matter what size or style, the basic maintenance and care is all the same.

I’ll walk you through everything you will want to consider before building your backyard pond. These tips will help you avoid some common mistakes that are very hard to fix once a pond is built, and show you what is involved in caring for a pond so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Legal Considerations
Safety
Location
Access to Resources
In-ground or Above-ground
Pond Supplies
Water
Water Pump
Aquatic Plants
Pond Fish
Daily Maintenance
Winter Maintenance
Frequently-Asked Questions
Free Tip Sheet

Tips Before You Build a Pond

Let’s go over everything to consider before you build a pond. If you want to save these tips, be sure to grab the free tip sheet here.

1Legal Considerations

Check local bylaws to make sure you are indeed allowed to have a pond. And make nice with your neighbors so they don’t try and throw a wrench in your plans.

I built the pond you see here for our backyard.

Watch how I did it here:

CLICK PLAY TO VIEW VIDEO

2Safety

If there are young children around or pets that do not swim, ponds are not worth the risk. It’s a lovely addition to a garden but only if you are certain it’s safe.

3Location

Ponds are best situated in the open, away from trees. Tree roots can be difficult to remove and can grow right back into your pond. Fall leaves will rot in the water, fall to the bottom, and create muck.

One huge mistake many gardeners say they made was putting a pond at the back of a garden, far from the house.

If possible, situate your pond where you can enjoy it either from the house or patio.

You will also take better care of it if it is always in view.

And, this really pays off in winter when you have to be sure the pond is not icing over and killing your fish.

4Access to Resources

Unless you are creating an all-natural, pump-free pond, you will need an outdoor GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) electrical outlet accessible to the pond area.

This should be installed by a licensed electrician to ensure it is safe and meets local codes.

Access to outdoor tap water is also needed, first to fill the pond, and then top it up on hot days when some water will evaporate.

A water outlet is also handy for routine maintenance like cleaning filters.

I’ve answered Frequently Asked Pond Questions here.

5In-Ground or Above Ground

The next big decision is choosing whether you want an in-ground pond or to build one above ground in a container.

In-ground ponds can be more natural looking and are usually made by excavating the soil and installing a pond liner made specifically for this purpose.

Above-ground ponds can be built in any water-tight large container. Galvanized stock troughs are a popular choice right now—just be sure you get one intended to hold water—some are just raised beds and not water tight.

This pond was built in an old hot tub.

I made my above-ground pond by building a raised garden bed and inserting a prefabricated pond form (like the one pictured above), also called a rigid pond liner.

You can also use pre-fab pond forms as in-ground ponds.

6Pond Supplies

These are the basics:

Pond liner (rubber liner and soft underlay) or preformed pond container
Recirculating pump with (optional) fountain spout

Larger pond kits may come with:

Skimmer box
Tubing to connect skimmer to waterfall
Spillway box (to create a waterfall)
Cover for spillway box

You may also need:

Rocks to line pond
Leaf skimmer
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) electrical outlet
Outdoor water tap

This is similar to the pond kit I got for building my pond:

Complete DIY Aquascape Backyard Pond Kit at Amazon

Where to Get Deals

Off-season online classified ads
End of season sales
Look for kits instead of buying parts individually
Yard sales
Trash
People getting rid of their pond – you uninstall it and it’s all yours!

7Water

It’s assumed you have a clean water source to fill your pond.

If your tap water includes chlorine and fluoride it takes a day or so for the chlorine to off-gas before safely adding living things to the pond.

Once you have fish, plants, and other wild things like frogs in your pond, adding chlorinated tap water will be two-step process: first you fill a large tub and leave it for a day, then you can add the water to your pond. You can also speed it up with dechlorinating tablets.

If the water has chloramine, you’ll also need a suitable dechlorinator before adding fish.

Check with your municipality to know what’s in your water or get it tested. There is more information here.

8Water Pump

One of the keys to keeping a pond healthy with clear water is to have a good recirculating pump running at all times.

These pumps are made specifically for ponds. The motorized pump is submerged in the water, drawing water in and sending water out.

Some also have filters to help remove gunk from the water. Others are simply pushing the water around, to help keep It oxygenated.

Submersible recirculating pond pump at Amazon

It is important to use a pump that meets the needs of your pond.

Pumps are made in different strengths, measured in gallons per hour (gph).

You want a pump that moves your total water capacity every hour, plus extra strength to lift the water through any waterfalls or fountains as well.

Example: a 2000-gallon pond with a waterfall three feet above the surface would need a pump that is at least 2200 gph or perhaps 2500 gph. A pond professional can help you choose what’s right for your specific setup.

I also always have a spare pump on hand in case my current one fails for any reason. This is not terrible in the warmer months but can be tragic in winter. You have to keep the water circulating to ensure fish and frogs survive. If the water freezes, they are toast.

9Aquatic Plants

Aqautic plants for sale at garden nursery. — Shopping for aquatic plants

Depending on where you live, there will be different choices for pond plants.

Just like any garden, invasive pond plants can be an issue. There are plenty of fast-growing pond plants that will take over while your back is turned.

I’ve had some that I thought were doing fine until I went to move their root baskets (sitting a ledge in the pond) and discovered they had taken over like beasts, tangled up with other plants in the pond and completely wrapped around rocks in the bottom.

Eventually, there’s such a volume of plant roots down there that there’s no room for fish or water circulation.

So, nothing invasive, but from there, you’ll want to decide whether you want annual or hardy perennial water plants.

I determine this by budget: annuals can be lovely, but they will not survive the winter. We have fewer options for hardy perennials beyond water lilies, but they last for years.

Some aquatic plants float on the surface, others have roots and grow in rocks or aquatic potting medium in baskets below the water surface.

A pond expert at a garden nursery can be a great resource for choosing the right plants.

A big part of the decision will be how much you are willing or able to maintain the plants to ensure they do not mess up your pond.

This articles showing how I built my inground pond shares the names of some of my aquatic plants.

10Pond Fish

If you live in a cold climate like I do, you will need cold-water fish for your pond. Koi and goldfish are popular choices but there are lots of things to consider first.

Big fish will—sometimes—eat smaller fish, so there’s that. And some different types will not get along with others.

Also, the number of fish you choose will depend on what their size will be maturity and the volume of water in your pond. A general rule is, allow 2 cubic feet minimum per goldfish to ensure their health and happiness. Koi require more space. This has a formula for how many fish to add to your pond.

Unless you keep your pond unnaturally clean, your fish will also breed, giving you more fish, so leave room for babies as well.

It’s best to find a local pond store that sells pond fish to get good advice on what to choose for your pond. And don’t add them until your pond has been established for at least few weeks or more.

Some pond owners feed their fish store-bought fish food. Mine live entirely off the pond itself.

When getting new fish, follow these instructions for safely introducing new fish to your pond.

Fish are really prone to shock, so you want any changes to be as gentle and gradual as possible.

11Daily Maintenance

If your pond is well-built in a good location, maintenance will probably only be required occasionally.

I check my ponds daily to make sure everything is running smoothly, and the fish are happy.

If you feed your fish, you’ll want to create a routine where they get to know and trust you.

Some pond pumps have filters that will need cleaning out whenever gunk gets in them.

A skimmer tool is handy for removing any leaves or debris that has blown into the pond.

You may also need to top up the water on hot days due to evaporation. As mentioned, unless you have confirmed it is safe to top up small amounts, chlorinated tap water should be held in reserve in large open container for a day first to let the chlorine off-gas. Or you can use de-chlorinating tablets.

To help keep pond water clear, there are liquid bacteria products that boost the good bacteria in the water. These come in a squeeze pump and get added as needed according to the instructions.

The older a pond gets, the more it will naturalize, and this can mean algae will build up, especially in the hot weather.

See How to Clear Murky Pond Water Fast—Without Any Chemicals for my trick to turn green water clear again.

12Winter Maintenance

Winter pond preparation includes moving some hardy aquatic plants lower down in the pond, so the roots don’t freeze.

Cleaning out filters and removing leaves.

Making sure your fish will be safe by never letting the water freeze. I do this by keeping the waterfall running all year-round and adding a pond heating (floating de-icer) to prevent the surface from icing over. There are gases that build up from fish waste and these become toxic if they are not released into the air.

This has detailed advice on Caring for Your Fish Pond in Winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to put in a pond?

The cost to install a garden pond will depend on the size, depth, and materials, and whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a company to build it.

A basic 1000-gallon pond kit is around $1,000 US plus the cost of rocks and other landscaping supplies.

Hiring a professional pond-building company to create a 20×40 pond could cost you $20k to $100k or more. The price range is going to vary greatly depending on the design, supplies, and features.

Do you have to have a pump in a pond?

Yes, there are many benefits to having a pond pump active all year-round even in the winter months. Unless you are specifically trying to create a natural pond with no circulation or fish, yes, a pump is always recommended. Larger ponds may need several pumps.

Pumps help keep the pond water clear and healthy by oxygenating it with constant movement. This is better for fish, other wildlife in the pond, plant health, reduces mosquito larvae, and prevents stagnant green water.

How deep does a fish pond need to be?

At minimum a pond can be two-feet deep if the water is kept circulating with a pump all year-round. Deeper is better and it’s very good to have areas at least four feet deep if you have fish, frogs, or turtles. The greater depth keeps the pond animals safer from predators. And, the deeper the water, the less likely it is to freeze up in winter. Keeping the water running in the cold seasons is essential for keeping fish and frogs alive. If it freezes, they do too. These my tips for keeping fish and plants safe all winter long even in freezing temperatures.

How does a pond water pump work?

Pond pumps are designed to be submersed in pond water with an electrical cord that runs externally to a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) electrical outlet power outlet. These pumps draw in water through a vacuum action and send it out again, often through an output hose, or to a waterfall or fountain. Some water pumps also have sponge filters to collect gunk from the water as it passes through.

How much sunlight does a pond need?

The ideal location for a pond is in partial sun but not under trees that shed leaves. Too much sun encourages rapid algae growth. Too little sun and the aquatic plants will be slow to grow or flower.