How to build a garden fish pond
Posted by Pond Keeper
How to build a garden pond
These pictures are the steps I took when building my pond in my garden. The old small pond was having serious algae issues, so I decided to go big on proper filtration.
The Filter I ended up with was a 11000 litre/hour Bio mechanical pressurized unit with built in UV clarifier, I also bought a 5000 litre/hour pump with all the spare capacity I made the decision to dig out and extend my Pond and also add a waterfall and fountain.
The original pond was raised and formed a bit of a sitting area so the route for me was to continue this theme all the way round.
Once all the digging and shaping was complete a concrete foundation was poured into the shuttering that was supported by the bricks. Once the concrete was set, it was time to get the trowel out and the trusty spirit level and the brickwork was completed using a mix of 4 to 1 (sand to cement).
The underlay is one of the most important things to consider, it is the done thing to get hold of some old carpet, this is both very strong and very tough and is ideal. I went to a carpet shop and asked what they did with the carpets that they remove when laying new ones they told me to help myself to whats in their skip….yay!!!….result.
So with the entire pond now trimmed with carpet its time to install the liner.
Best tip here is to take your time, and slowly fill with water, gently pulling away any crease. That done, its now just a simple matter of completing the brickwork and cutting and cementing down the toppings.
A good clean down and with the pump and filters working all will be good.
finally I can actually see my fish.
The whole project was completed in one week and my pond now measures 4.5 metres by 2.5 metres and can be filled to a depth of 800mm.
The fountain is presently fitted with a Mushroom head, and the waterfall was custom made and make a really great sound. BLISS….haha
Duration : 0:2:40
23 Responses to “How to build a garden fish pond”
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August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I’d like to offer a …
I’d like to offer a suggestion. If you got one of those filters with a UV lamp that kills those green algae it would stay nicer looking….just a thought. NICE JOB!
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Hello, and thanks …
Hello, and thanks for your comment, the pictures where taken while I was giving the brickwork its first water stress, it is now full with only about 1 inch of the liner showing
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I loved how you …
I loved how you built it but I am wondering why you let so much of the pond liner show and don’t fill it deeper?
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
If you could let me …
If you could let me know what size and depth you would like and what type of pond ie. ground level or above ground, then I will work out what you need in also work out the correct filter and pump size..:)
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
well, that is quite …
well, that is quite a small liner, but a small pond is possibly what you have in mind. My Liner was 5m x 7m giving a pond of 2.5m x 4.5m, this allowed up to about 1m depth and a little left over to lock under the top brick level.
But it all really depends on your prefered Depth. Remember that what ever Depth you would like must be doubled on length and width as to accomodate both ends..PLUS a little for tucking under you bricks or stone work if its ground level.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I just purchased a …
I just purchased a 10′ x 15′ liner and am trying to determine the size and depth i could work with
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Thanks very much
… 
it was good fun to do too.. 
Thanks very much
Cheers
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Amazing project. …
Amazing project. GREAT JOB!
Cheers!
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Hi, and thanks for …
Hi, and thanks for the comment, why not make yours a little bigger, I did take a look and if the fish like it its a good one
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
this puts my pond …
this puts my pond to shame!
great job
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
wow very well …
wow very well constructed
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
hello
The black … 
The black plastic is the pond liner, its made of a 3-ply construction, it also requires an underlay. The underlay I went for was first old carpet fitted to the shape of the pond followed by a proper underlay. This is used to protect the liner from any sharp stones and edges, once done the liner is placed inside the pond, and filled with water, pulling gengle on it as it fills, then just tidy it up and trim it to suit for above ground ponds. thanks for you comment 
hello
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
what is the black …
what is the black cover-like thing called at 1:26
great video by the way.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
absolutely never …
please read other comment above 
absolutely never thought it was you
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
message to areeba2. …
its simply a case of ghosts of the past still haunting me from time to time…loosers of yesteryear so to speak. I really hope this clears and misunderstanding… and if you need any help with advice please do not hesitate to drop me a line… ley me know how you are getting on.. 
message to areeba2…hi ya… hey sorry if you thought my comments where directed towards you…they most definately were not
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Didn,t see the …
Didn,t see the rating stars there, I didn,t rate it as poor,I think it,s an excellent build and an excellent step by step guide.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
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Hey, thanks for your first rating on this video who ever you are, wow you really think that this video construction step-by-step guide is worthy of only a POOR rating…wow..go figure…would love to see the one you built, must be amazing… so looking forward to seeing it here on youtube..
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August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
below the ground …
below the ground level its about 18 inches so you are spot on, when filled to just below the liner level it will be around 28 inches. I did have a much smaller pond to start with (about 1m x 1.5m) and it was very shallow but even that didnt didnt have ant frost issues. The new pond is around 4.5m x 2.5m. What size is your pond? have you calculated the pump and filter sizes, and are you opting for gravity or a pressurised system?? and dont forget UV clarification.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Thanks for your …
I still ended up totally filling a 6-yard skip though, seems that you keep digging and digging and digging…haha…but then all of a sudden its done. One of the best things about a raised pond is that it also ends up with a sitting area all around it…yay!!! hope you will post pictures of yours.. 
Thanks for your comment
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
What depth of water …
What depth of water do you have below the ground, have heard that it should be approx 18 inches below frost level, don,t know if it needs to be that much though.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Excellent job there …
Excellent job there, just building a similar raised pond but on a smaller scale, good thing about a raised pond is you don,t have to remove too much soil.
October 24th, 2010 at 10:02 am
You have refuelled my interest in building a large outdoor pond. It is great. What size filter do you need for something like this? How often do you need to clean your filter? Is it like a swimming pool for maintenance time or less? Do you need to keep it in the shade or full sun? So much I don’t know. AND, did you build the swinging chair, if so, extremely interested. Great job & great video. Thanks