I am planning on putting a pond in my backyard this coming spring. I plan on building a rectangular pond. 4X12X2 (all in ft) and in the center I want it to drop down to 4 ft. This "gap" in the center will be 2 ft wide, 8 ft long and 2 ft deep (I'm doing this to maximize the volume so I can put a few fish in).

I plan on also bricking up the sides of the pond. I'm obviously going to use underlay and liner. I am worried about the brick walls holding up. Any tips on this?

Also I did the math and this pond will be about 950 gallons in volume. What kind of pump should I utilize?

Also, are there any other things a newbie like me should look out for? I want to build this thing right so I am doing all the research for it now. I figured I have plenty of time to learn until March comes around.

Thanks,

Andre.

Many posters here don't like rocks or gravel on the bottom since it encourages anaerobic bacteria and traps mulm. Bottom drains are popular. When figuring water volume, remember to add in the amount of water in the filter. Do you want shelves or not, waterfalls or fountain, plants, what kind, koi or comets or something else? Will you need a UV light?

Lots of details, lots of choices. Take a look at the pictures in the gallery, check out your public library and read, read, read. Ask questions. Read the FACs.

IMO, the larger the pump the better, at least twice the water volume per hour.

I'm thinking of building the pond both underground and above ground, if that makes any sense. This is so I get around all the expensive permits I need to build this thing. So if anyone out there has an above-ground pond please fill me in on how you built the foundations of your walls and made it nice and sturdy.

Thanks,

Andre.

I'm currently working on a part above ground and part below ground pond. Mine is about 8 feet wide, 40" deep and 22 feet long. Only 16" of the 40" will be above ground. I'm using concrete block filled with concrete and some added rebar to handle the outward force from the weight of all that water.

I'll send you link to what I have (not much at this point) and hope to be able to update with some photos in a couple of weeks.

Feel free to message me here or e-mail me (see website's home page...but I've got it set up to require you to confirm your address before it will send me an e-mail...spam prevention tool).

Thanks,
Don

I love your enthusiasm for your project. Good suggestions and having built a number of ponds over the past 30 years, I have determined certain common denominators.
1.The more plants (native to your area) you have the more healthy your pond will be.
2.The larger the pump the better with a way to replace the impeller.
3.Pump should be furthest place away from the place the water enters the pond as possible.
4.Install a biofilter to eliminate cleaning chours. We have Biofilter plans available.

A good place to shop for pond materials is www.justponds.com. they also have an 800 # so you can talk to knowledgable staff.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Bob G - Native Pond Society of WNC