How to build a small fish pond

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Most popular comments
for How to build a small fish pond

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Nani Widorini - 6 years ago

nice

Virginia Lacar - 6 years ago

We have also pond no fish
only the mussullin!!!!!

CC Gaming & More - 6 years ago

Where would you buy your plants, I live in washington state in the US

AquaticLifestyles - 6 years ago

I'm a pond builder and I have a pond retail store. I get my aquatic plants from a plant wholesaler. You will need to find a local aquatic plant retailer. Try a Google search.

imene meddad - 6 years ago

If anyone could answer this question (I'm really trying to find the answer somewhere): how do you hide the electric wire from the pump. Do just just leave it on the ground or do you bury it under the ground?
I want to make a pond in a location that is far from the electric plug and I don't want to just let the electric wire sit on the ground (for the aesthetic, practical and safety issues). I don't know how to hide it except from hiding it under the ground(wich will destroy a large part of the garden).

Thanks in advance!

AquaticLifestyles - 6 years ago

In New Zealand if it is a high voltage (230 volt) cable then it must be buried down 600 mm in a conduit. If it is low voltage (12 or 24 volt) then it can be on top of the ground or buried any depth with or without conduit.

Nehrose Melgar - 7 years ago

No man is in island but you prove to us that there is a man in an island... haha u rock it...good job!!

Shahid Iqbal - 7 years ago

Welldon idea

CASH MONEY - 7 years ago

So can I just use water from my garden hose

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

If you are on City water supply you need to add a chlorine neutraliser like "Prime" or leave the pond for a week before adding fish.

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

I use EPDM liner 1.14mm (45ml) thick, it's very strong and the plant roots do not do any damage.

Kevin zhang - 7 years ago

，

10. comment for How to build a small fish pond

Ninja k - 7 years ago

Wow thats awesome.

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Thank you for your comment

MIKE TV - 7 years ago

thank you so much for this video

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Any marginal aquatic plants like acorus, cyperus, lysimachia, ranunculus, iris, rush. The pump needs to be rated at least twice the pond volume per hour. My pond is 800 litres my pump is 1800 litres per hour. Use a bell shape fountain as shown in my second video, it gives better circulation and oxygen.

MIKE TV - 7 years ago

im ordering all my supplies but what plants would you recommend for a pond as big as yours. And also what size pump would I use. Im basicly just trying to copy your masterpiece.

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

You are welcome, I hope it's been helpful

Ryan Dever - 7 years ago

You have a max pond depth ????

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Until 1st January this year the maximum depth in New Zealand was 400mm so this pond has 400mm water depth. There is now no restriction on garden pond water depth in New Zealand.

Subri Subrika - 7 years ago

One more question from me the Canadian from Toronto area! Do you have to have the pump running 24/7 to keep the fish and pond healthy? Could we use the pump in the morning and afternoon but shut it off overnight and just use a bubbler or air stone to keep it oxygenated at night? We have a 675 gallon pond (probably less with all the stones in it) and are thinking about getting a 770 or 800 gph pump. Do you have a pump preference?

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

You can shut the pump off, if you have an air pump. The air pump would need to be minimum 2000 litres of air per hour. The pond needs more oxygen at night because plants and algae use oxygen at night and make oxygen during the day. 770 or 800 GPH pump is minimum size, I recommend twice the pond volume per hour (1350 GPH) for a pond this size. Get your pump from a reputable supplier, a low wattage pump will cost less to run.

Tommy Christensen - 7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L97G3V3Tr-o&t=61s

Marie M - 7 years ago

Can you tell me what pump you used, the cost and where I can buy one. What is the underlay that you used called?

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Hi Marie M, The pump is a POND ONE PONDMASTER MK II 1800PH 1800L/HR $129.95. The underlay is Geotextile $4.50 per square metre. I can supply both pump & underlay. I can also supply anything else you may need, see my website www.aquaticlifestyles.co.nz

Subri Subrika - 7 years ago

do you have winter where you are? I'm in canada and wondering if this would work for me

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

The most hardy fish are single tail goldfish (comets & shubunkins). You could also use Koi but they grow big and would out-grow a small pond like this very quickly.

Subri Subrika - 7 years ago

Thanks so much! Just wondering what fish you use in your pond and would recommend for and outdoor pond in Canada (south of Toronto).

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Yes, we do have Winter but not as cold as yours. We get -4°C (25°F) If your pond is likely to freeze over you can make it deeper so the fish don't freeze (they will hibernate at around 6°C water temperature) but you need to keep a hole in the ice for oxygen, a pump or pond heater can do this. Or you can over-winter the fish in an indoor tank. Most pond plants will go dormant in winter and come away again in Spring.

ruel tally - 7 years ago

nice... wooow...

thevibrationbaby - 7 years ago

Great work!

The Bored Show - 7 years ago

Great tips, these are definitely going to help my pond project!

20. comment for How to build a small fish pond

skankhunt42 Jew - 7 years ago

how long would it take to build something like this

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

I can supply a kit (plants & rock not included) for $600. I can build it for $2,000 plants & rock included.

skankhunt42 Jew - 7 years ago

AquaticLifestyles thank you and I have one more question do you know how much this cost

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Approximately 15 hours for me.

Spam Account lol - 7 years ago

What is the liner for? Where can i buy it?

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

It is an EPDM liner 1.14 mm thick (45 ml thick) If you are in New Zealand I can supply the liner, if not in NZ give me your location and I'll recommend a supplier. My website is www.aquaticlifestyles.co.nz

Jody Johnston - 7 years ago

how deep

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Excavation is 500 mm (1'8") Water depth 400 mm (1'4")

Jessica Tran - 7 years ago

Beautiful .. thanks for your video ...

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Thanks fir your comment

Lee Calladine - 7 years ago

Thanks for posting enjoyed watching.

AquaticLifestyles - 7 years ago

Thanks for your comment. I checked out your channel "Great stuff"

Sam Whitt - 8 years ago

Hi mate. I live in NZ. Where is the best place to get liner/rocks and river gravel?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

The average pond is built with rock 200mm to 300mm. Large ponds & waterfalls with rock up to 500mm

Sam Whitt - 8 years ago

AquaticLifestyles hmmmm. Expensive stuff. What about the big rocks?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

http://www.coastallandscapesupplies.co.nz/

Sam Whitt - 8 years ago

AquaticLifestyles kapiti coast

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

Hi Sam, I send products to anywhere in NZ and can supply all the products you need. Rock and river gravel is best sourced from your local area because of freight costs. Where are you located? I can recommend a supplier in your area.

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

Where did you get the pump

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

thank you

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

My pumps are 230 volt and will not work on your 110 volt power network. Try Amazon

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

thanks but i have trouble finding them. Do you sell them online?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

I sell the pumps here in New Zealand. Any similar fountain pump will work, specs are 475 gallons per hour, 6 foot head.

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

is it possible if two 12 year olds did this for a present for a girls mom

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

Nevada, las vegas

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

Yes, hard work for 12 year olds though. Where is the location? (country, city)

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

do you need rocks?

Disney Dess - 8 years ago

thnak you

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

Yes, Rocks are important. Please go to this link for more info. http://aquaticlifestyles.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SPOC.pdf

Leo Lim - 8 years ago

Where can I find that kind of liner the white and black? Sorry I'm new to this kind of stuff

Jyoti Karnik - 7 years ago

mumbai, india

Fluffy Unicorn - 7 years ago

How many gallons is the tank that you made?

skankhunt42 Jew - 7 years ago

Leo Lim how ling would it take to build this

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

What country and city are you located in? I can recommend a supplier in your area.

30. comment for How to build a small fish pond

The Rickiest Rick - 8 years ago

Meters? No no! Feet

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

This pond is 6.5 feet X 8 feet excavation size.

Emanuela Mihaela - 8 years ago

A like a lot,I think I will build in my garden.Thank you very much for the idea.I just have one question.How I change the wather?Thank you very much and it's a awensome pond!

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

To do water changes, use a pump to remove some water before replacing it with fresh water. You can connect a hose to the fountain pump for this.

Texas Moores - 8 years ago

Sir,

Your ponds are stunning!! I am quite picky about the pond(s) I dream of having in the next year. You have inspired me to encourage my yummy hubby to help build our first. ;)

Thank you for all the detailed info and for sharing! I can't wait to watch your updated video. Love it!! ♡

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

Thank you for your comment. If you need any advice with your project please contact me either on youtube or my website www.aquaticlifestyles.co.nz Regards Peter Brymer

Dee-Va Creations - 8 years ago

awww OK thank you for your time...

Dee-Va Creations - 8 years ago

thanks for inspiration, how can I make pond water look blue without dye?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

The liner only comes in black. A blue liner would turn brownish as the bio-film grew on it. Also this type of pond needs rock & pebble covering the liner to create surface area for beneficial bacteria. Some of my photos have a blue reflection of the sky but to turn water blue you need to use dye.

Boris Babic - 8 years ago

Thanks, well done!

olives121 - 8 years ago

What's the volume of the pond and what kind of pond pump did you use?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

This pond has a volume of 800 litres (210 US gallons). The pump is an Aqua One Pondmaster 1800 litres per hour (475 US gallons per hour)

Jules Sanchez - 8 years ago

You did a great job on that pond, I know it's a lot more work than most people think.

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Jules Sanchez Thanks for the comment

Ayhan Çapan - 8 years ago

Thanks for this helpful video...

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Ayhan Çapan You are welcome

Kiana B - 8 years ago

looks amazing!

Jacob Navarro - 8 years ago

thankyou sir

Jacob Navarro - 8 years ago

is there a special pump to pump the water out onto the lawn after i rinse off the rocks

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Jacob Navarro You can use any Dirty Water Pump even a pond pump will work. I use my clean-out (sump) pump, it's fast and takes solids up to 1¼"

Jacob Navarro - 8 years ago

how many feet deep is the pond and how many feet wide and long is the pond?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Jacob Navarro 16 inches deep, 6 feet wide, 9 feet long

Nameshai Thanq - 8 years ago

that's a really nice pond

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Nameshai “JBD” Thanq Thank you for the comment.

Klee - 8 years ago

can you do an update of this pond? I would love to see what it look like now.

Klee - 8 years ago

Thanks!

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+K Lee Hi K Lee I just uploaded a video of the pond as it is now. https://youtu.be/RR6tHiDu1TU

Jacob Navarro - 8 years ago

where can i buy that fountain filter at?

AquaticLifestyles - 8 years ago

+Jacob Navarro Just use a standard fountain pump. Place it in a large planting basket (you local pond store should be able to supply a planting basket) then fill the basket with 3/8" (10mm) gravel. The pump needs to pump twice the pond volume per hour. I have found that a bell shaped fountain works best.

PWCfargone - 9 years ago

Thanks for posting this great video. My buddy has a fantastic backyard pond and is going to help me make a nice big one with a waterfall next spring and your ideas + tips are very helpful .

Lindi Lane - 9 years ago

what music is that?? That sounds so amazing!!

KingCabbage - 7 years ago

Lindi Lane I was wondering the same thing

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Lindi Lane I'm sorry I don't remember where I got this track from. I have it on file and it's 2 minutes 13 seconds long. I have renamed the file so I can't help you. I think it was from an unknown artist on youtube.

Rali k - 9 years ago

It's such a great video! I have a few questions please? what happen when it rains, when the pond gets full? how about changing water, do you need to change the water often?
thanks!

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Rali k When the pond gets full it overflows through the pebble edge work at the lowest point, I have kept the liner lower in this area. With plenty of marginal plants bare rooted in the pebbles on the plant shelves water changes can be kept to a minimum (twice per year, once at the end of Summer and once at the end of Winter) this is a good time to give the pond a clean (remember never over clean a pond).

Denisa Spurrier - 9 years ago

did you see the cat

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Denisa Spurrier The cat's name is Bella and she is always with me when I am working at the shop and displays. She drinks from the ponds and tanks but doesn't go fishing.

50. comment for How to build a small fish pond

Steven Hill - 9 years ago

How much did it cost to build this pond?

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Steven Hill Hi Steven, I do a complete kit for this pond for $499 The kit does not include rock or plants.
My price to build this pond complete with rock and plants is $1800

Dereck Rivera - 9 years ago

Hey, what are some good pond fish other than koi or goldfish. I always see some type of cichlids but I can never find what they are called.

Ace Kiwi71 - 9 years ago

+Dereck Rivera White cloud mountain minnows are small tough fish that can handle cool temperatures.

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Dereck Rivera It depends on the climate. In summer there are many fish that will do O.K. if the water is warm enough but most would need to be wintered inside in tanks. Koi and Goldfish can hibernate for 6 to 10 weeks if the water gets very cold (constantly below 7° C)

Tan P - 9 years ago

By far the easiest and most helpful DIY tutorial for amateur. Planned to start on building a pond next week.
One question, There is an apple tree about a few feet away from my intended pond location. In the case that the roots get bigger toward the pond's direction, will it affect the pond liner in anyway?

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+PO TATO Hi, If you think the apple tree roots could grow into the pond install a root barrier on that side of the pond. A root barrier can be purchased from garden supply outlets.

Peter Tait - 9 years ago

Thank you. This was exactly what I needed.

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Peter Tait I am pleased I could help. If you have any questions send me a message or comment. I also have a lot of helpful info. on my website www.aquaticlifestyles.co.nz

Ciria Hinojosa - 9 years ago

Now that's a man :)

Dee-Va Creations - 8 years ago

+TM3000 lol

TM3000 - 9 years ago

+Ciria Hinojosa Hah maybe my wife will say that about me after I build our pond :)

Sean Magee - 9 years ago

I live in New York and we get terrible winters, do you have any advice on how to keep the fish alive during winter

mcwayne210c - 9 years ago

+Sean Magee hey bud we live in northeast arkansas we can some cold winters here we just kept out pump going and our goldfish lived 10 years with the water freezing but not to the bottom, the neighbors cat was there doom.

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Sean Magee Hi Sean, I checked and you do have very cold temperatures in New York much colder than we get here in New Zealand. I have no personal experience with such low temperatures but if your pond is deep enough so the water does not freeze all the way to the bottom and you can keep an air hole in the ice open your fish should be fine if they are goldfish or koi. Check out this link to find a contractor in your area that can help http://www.pond-contractor.services

MyFishCare - 9 years ago

I would love a pond of my own especially one like this

MyFishCare - 9 years ago

Don't suppose you could give me a shout out and I'll give you one too

MyFishCare - 9 years ago

Oh no I do t live in New Zealand and plus I live in a flat with no garden and I'm only 12. Bit awkward but anyway U got a sub

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

If you are in New Zealand then I can build you a pond. If not then you could follow the process in my video and build your own.

Meik Hauswurz - 9 years ago

Hi there, great video! Just wondering if placing so many rocks and river stones can cause any problems with water cleanliness? Will bad bacteria and the sort be built up in and around the rocks? Cheers

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

+Meik Hauswurz UV Clarifiers do kill planktonic algae that turns the water green or sometimes other colours but algae is a symptom of excess nutrients in the pond. By killing this algae it only leaves nutrients for other types of algae to bloom. UV's can be helpful on a new pond where plants are not established or in early spring before plants come away after winter dormancy. I do not run UV's on my ponds and I have crystal clear water all year round. The key is low fish stocks, lots of aquatic plants, lots of oxygen & circulation. To connect a UV to your system I would tee off before the bio-filter with a ball-valve to control flow and return the UV output to the waterfall. When planktonic algae dies it clumps together and can be mechanically filtered out but you don't want to clog the bio-filter. Remember a UV also kills any beneficial bacteria that happen to flow through it. If making your own boi-filter one of the best and cheapest media is Lava Rock.

Meik Hauswurz - 9 years ago

Thanks for your reply! One more question: I'm in the process of making my own bio filter, it will have an outflow connecting to a small waterfall. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on UV filters. And how would I go about connecting it to what I'll soon have? Are they essential to keep a nice clear pond? Thanks again.

AquaticLifestyles - 9 years ago

The rocks and river stones provide surface area for aerobic (good) bacteria to colonize on. But the river stone needs to be large, 40mm to 60mm and a layer 50-80 mm deep. The pump needs to be running 24/7 and sized at least the same volume per hour as the water volume in the pond. There must be a fountain or waterfall to introduce oxygen. Aerobic Bacteria uses 4-grams of oxygen to convert 1-gram of waste and if it is without oxygen for more than 8-hours it starts to die. Also the pond should have a clean out at the end of every winter. Anaerobic (bad) bacteria will be present in all ponds and having some is healthy, having a high oxygen level in the water keeps this bacteria to a minimum. Regards Peter Brymer