Pond Building Tips

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Tips for building a pond

When you have your own house or summer cottage, it is absolutely natural that you want to improve it, create your own unique style and landscape design. However, the real dream of any homeowner is a personal pond that will not only please the eye, but will also allow you to enjoy its charm, so to speak, from the inside. A swimming pool immediately appears, but there is a worthy alternative. You can build a swimming pond on the territory near your house with your own hands.

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Differences between a DIY swimming pond and a swimming pool

From a practicality point of view, it should be noted that organizing a pond for fishing and swimming at the dacha will be significantly cheaper and will not require much effort. Although, of course, this is also not the easiest thing and will require certain energy and financial costs.

The main advantage of a pond is its natural beauty, which will be an ideal addition to the garden composition and will be the highlight of any landscape. Unlike a swimming pool, a pond at the dacha looks bright, interesting and original every season. In addition to swimming, it also performs a decorative function.
The positive thing is that the swimming pond will be used all year round. In the spring, the pond will delight the owner with aquatic flowers and set the mood for a romantic mood; in the summer and early autumn, you can swim in the pond; in winter, it will make a wonderful skating rink.
Thanks to the water filtration system, the country pond does not require chemical cleaning, which distinguishes it from a swimming pool.
Each owner of a garden area makes the choice between creating a pond for fish and swimming in a dacha or a swimming pool for himself. The main thing is that all the features that apply to a country pond are taken into account. Do not forget that a reservoir on the territory requires not only careful care, but also a responsible attitude towards it. In particular, safety measures should be provided if there are small children in the family.

Types of ponds for fish and swimming on the site

Based on the complexity of arranging a country swimming pond in general, one can distinguish single-volume and double-volume reservoirs. But this is a very vague idea, and therefore the complete classification looks like this:

single-volume, in the absence of zoning and any technical means,
single-volume, with surface flow,
single-volume, with flow-through recovery zone,
double-volume
two-volume, with a full-fledged water purification device.

But in order to understand how and what kind to make a swimming pond at the dacha with your own hands.

The first type of swimming pond is suitable for a large area, since it requires a lot of space to create it. The function of water purification in such a reservoir is carried out by microorganisms, plants, and zooplankton. Accordingly, most of it will be allocated to the “revival” zone, which will be filled with all kinds of natural biofilters. The advantage of this pond is its natural appearance and feeling of naturalness.

The second type of reservoir also appears to be a single basin, without division into regions, without partitions or similar divisions. However, water purification occurs using special equipment - a skimmer. A pump is used to pump water. Convenient for expanding the swimming area, but maintaining the impression of wild nature

The third type is distinguished by a volumetric swimming area, which is larger than in the first options. Ideal for lovers of long swims and active movement in the water. The pond is divided into areas by partitions that are level with the water surface, without rising above it. In this case, water regeneration is carried out both by plants and microorganisms, and by the skimmer. A multi-level system is used.

A double-volume pond involves separating the bathing area from the water treatment area, which makes relaxation in such a reservoir comfortable and enjoyable. It differs from previous types in the presence of automation for cleaning, control devices, as well as a gravel filter and a water pumping system.

In the fifth option, a clear zoning was carried out between the swimming zone and the filtration area. Regeneration of the reservoir is carried out using technology, as well as the “plant” method, using metering and control devices, biofilters, and a control system for water supply and pumping.

Based on financial capabilities, the size of the dacha plot and personal wishes, it is worth making a choice of the pond to be built.

Do-it-yourself sketch of the future pond at the country house

Before you start building a fish pond (as well as swimming) at your dacha, you need to imagine what this pond will be like, what you want to get as a result, and how its design will fit organically into the landscape of the site.

But how to make a sketch of a future pond if there is no special knowledge in this matter and related experience. The best solution would be to seek the help of specialists. Ultimately, paying for the services of a person with the necessary knowledge will be much cheaper than correcting your own mistakes

However, if you have certain skills and a great desire to participate in the creative process, then you can try to create a sketch yourself. It will be correct to adhere to a certain plan:

It is necessary to draw the future pond from different angles, make a top view, as well as a sectional view. The area of the reservoir will depend on the intended depth. The greater the planned depth, the wider the pond should be made. The sketch must indicate the size of the reservoir, its shape, the steepness of the slopes, and the water heating zone.
In addition to the drawing, it is important to draw a detailed diagram that shows not only the location of the pipes, but also the depth of the trenches and water circulation depending on the type of pond.
Another element of the sketch is the display of the beach area, the regeneration zone of the reservoir, as well as decorative components.

Choosing a place for a bath

It is necessary to select a place for an artificial pond taking into account all the features of the garden area. It is good to organize a swimming pond at your dacha with your own hands directly next to the house, since in this case it is convenient to connect communications to the pond. It is advisable to find an area that is not too shaded, but not too sunny. Due to an excess of sun, the pond will begin to bloom. And if it is surrounded by trees, then falling leaves can damage the transfer pump and water supply equipment.

An important point in choosing a suitable location is the size of the site, its shape, soil, and the presence of groundwater. Unevenness in the ground, a depression, holes or something similar can be turned into an advantage and turned into a multi-level pond. A flat area will allow you to create a reservoir of any shape and depth, if groundwater does not interfere with this. A special feature when choosing the shape of a pond for fish and swimming at the dacha will be the specific soil, sandy or sandy loam. Here you will have to deal with additional strengthening of the banks. There are two methods to perform this task:

rigid waterproofing,
construction of gentle slopes using film.

How to make a swimming pond at your dacha. Peculiarities.

A backyard swimming pond is always quite large in size, and this a priori presupposes a rather complex hydraulic mechanism for the proper use of water resources.
It is important to determine how water will flow, methods of drainage, and preferred vegetation. It is necessary to conditionally divide the reservoir into zones. Select shallow-water, deep-water, regeneration, beach, decorative.

The work involves the following stages:

Creating a project (this means exactly what was described above, namely thinking about the location, size and configuration of the future reservoir).
Development of an estimate (for independent work, you must at least make an approximate calculation, taking into account the price of materials and accessories).
Marking and digging a pit.
Laying waterproofing and installing treatment equipment.
Decorating the pond and filling it with water.

Once the action plan has been outlined, you can begin work directly.

Ditch for a swimming pond

Work on digging a pit can be carried out on your own, or you can use specialized equipment. Here the method of work depends on the scale and volume of the pond. If you are planning a not very large reservoir, not exceeding one meter in depth and ten square meters in width, then it makes no sense to involve an excavator and other special equipment. But when the depth is calculated to be 2-2.5 m, and the width is more than 10 m, then digging a pit by hand will become very energy-intensive and will take at least a month, subject to intensive labor throughout the daylight hours.

First you need to mark the area of the future pond. To do this, you need to drive stakes around the perimeter and stretch a bright ribbon. After these simple manipulations, you can start digging. It is worth digging from the center or the deepest place to the shores, otherwise it is possible that you will not maintain the intended depth. In addition, you need to dig with a reserve of at least 10 cm, due to the fact that geotextiles and sand-gravel mixture, which also take up a certain space, will be compacted to the bottom.

It should be borne in mind that digging a large hole does not limit the work on preparing the pit. An essential role is played by the provision of measures to prevent the drainage of water from the pond. After all, if you don’t think through this point, then there is a high probability that the entire plot of land will be flooded. Accordingly, it is necessary to properly prepare the bottom of the reservoir. In this case, the bottom is the entire surface covered by water.

Butyl rubber film or PVC is used as waterproofing throughout the construction site. In this case, at a distance of 35-55 cm from the edge of the pit, a small groove with dimensions of approximately 30x30 cm is dug to secure the material. The bottom of the pond is made smooth with smooth transitions of heights; in some cases, a stepped device is preferred. The pit itself should not have steep banks, and the slope should be no more than 40 degrees, even better than 30 degrees.

Waterproofing material

When there are sandy and sandy loam soils on the site, the waterproofing must be constructed from clay or loam 30 cm thick. For convenience, you can use a rigid ready-made form. Also in sandy areas, making concrete insulation is applicable, although this is a costly and time-consuming method, but the structure is one of the most durable and durable. Modern and effective material – liquid rubber.

Laying waterproofing material

First, the material from which the waterproofing will be constructed is determined. Next, small pebbles or crushed stone are laid. Another layer of about 5 cm will be sand, which must be compacted well. Then you can line the pit with film. The film is laid with an excess of 40 cm and again sprinkled with sand quite generously, in a layer of at least 50 cm. A new layer of 80 cm will be made of crushed stone or pebbles, and if desired, sand can again be poured on top of it. After completing these procedures, the pond is ready to be filled with water. Naturally, when using a ready-made rigid form, the procedure is simplified.

Pump installation

A submersible pump is installed at the bottom of the pond, from which pipes are pulled to the source and connected to a filter for water purification. The pump is needed to create circulation of water, which is pumped into the filter and returned back after purification.

Installing a pump in a pond means that in general it is ready for use and all that remains is to decorate it and design it to your liking.

Pumps are divided into two types: submersible and centrifugal. The submersible is located at the bottom of the reservoir, and the centrifugal is located outside, below the water level.

Decorating a swimming pond

The decor of a personal pond can be designed according to the owner’s preferences. The design is not limited only to stones and aquatic plants, there are all kinds of ways and ideas for decoration, for example, alpine slides, fountains, waterfall decoration, and beautiful statues and figures are also used as an addition. The main thing is that everything is harmoniously combined and there are not too many elements, as this creates a feeling of overload and blurs the impression.

Pond care

Maintaining a swimming pond is not difficult if the filtration system and pumps have been installed correctly. When installed correctly, water circulation is established, the filter cleans it, and all processes function properly. All that remains is to monitor the water level in the reservoir. In case of increased heat, you need to replenish the pond in time with the amount of water that has evaporated. In case of excessive precipitation, excess water must be pumped out using a pump, and if a drainage well has been provided, then this task is simplified.

Every month it is worth inspecting the pond and, if necessary, cleaning the pond. Periodically clean the pond and filters from algae and debris. And in the autumn, you can stretch the mesh to avoid falling foliage.

Pond filtration

There are many methods of water purification. One of the most effective, but not cheap, is considered to be a device for water disinfection with silver. However, a system consisting of a filter, ionizer, UV lamp, pump and skimmer is more often used.
I would like to pay special attention to the filtration system. Filters are divided into flow (gravity), pressure and belt. Flow filters primarily perform mechanical cleaning, however, they have sponges for removing contamination and additives that clean the water. Pressure and belt filters typically contain UV lamps to disinfect water.

Cleaning

An artificial swimming pond, like other bodies of water, tends to become dirty over time. This could be some kind of mechanical waste or particles of clay, algae, or fallen leaves that were not removed in a timely manner. To combat the negative impact of debris, use a sand-gravel bed or non-woven synthetic filter materials. Naturally, the filtration system and water pumps make their contribution to the cleaning of the swimming pond.

To keep the bath clean, it is important to maintain the correct oxygen content in the water, for which aeration is used. Sometimes a fountain can be built for such a purpose, the issue is finances. However, this method also solves a decorative issue.

Water purification without water exchange

In large ponds, water purification occurs naturally, thanks to plants and microorganisms. However, this method does not always help to cope completely. To purify water without water exchange, use:

Mechanical filters (gravel-sand bed)
Chemical filters (increases the oxygen content in water, which helps purify the water)
Sterilization of water (destruction of all kinds of bacteria)
Microbiological method (bacteria that decompose organic impurities)

Additional water recharge facilities

If a personal reservoir is built on a river or stream, then nature itself decides the issue of water replenishment. The only thing that matters is the equipment of the dam, which will control the water level; periodically it will be necessary to release it. Simple mesh filters will help remove pollution from a river or stream. Concrete or metal pipes are used as spillway structures, which is very helpful during floods.

There are no problems with reservoirs into which water comes from the outside, that is, from rivers, streams, and which are blocked by a dam. In other cases, it is necessary to make additional water exchanges using pumps or carry out cleaning using mechanical and biological methods.

Mistakes when constructing a reservoir

When building your own swimming pond, the following mistakes are sometimes made:

The location for the pond was chosen incorrectly (in this situation, the easiest way is to fill in the pond and make it in another place).
Inappropriate time (if you build a bathhouse at random in any season, then there is a high risk that in other seasons the level of groundwater will change, which will cause harm in the future, which means that it is correct to first track how groundwater behaves at different times or redo all work upon their discovery).
Oversized (difficulties are solved by selecting unpretentious plants, installing powerful and strong pumps and filters).
Saving on materials (the decision comes down to the principle “the miser pays twice”, that is, you will have to carry out restoration work and purchase a quality product for repairs)
Failure to comply with safety (if the banks are too steep, they can be cut off, for example, with a shovel; install fences for children, strengthen decorative stones)
Lack of water drainage (you will have to dig an additional trench or install a special pump)
Ugly or overloaded decor (you should seek help from specialists)
Selecting the wrong plants for the pond (remove all fast-growing plants that take up too much space, replace with unpretentious types of oxygen generator plants).
Inappropriate equipment (if the equipment that is installed does not cope with its tasks, then it should be replaced with a more powerful one).

An example of the construction of a bathhouse on the site

For example, you should use the simplest option for building a country swimming pond with your own hands. Film will be used as waterproofing. At the beginning of the work, we clarify the groundwater level and, based on this, determine the depth of the pond. We mark and fence off the area where the pit will be dug. After which we get down to business directly, simultaneously digging terraces and ledges. The width of the terrace is approximately 40 cm, and the slope will be 45-50 degrees.

The next steps are:

When the pit is ready, its bottom is covered with sand and durable material is laid.
The entrance to the water is prepared in the form of steps or smooth descents
The film is laid taking into account all the features of the landscape
The pond must be filled with water in three stages: water is poured into a third, settled for 2-3 hours, the procedure is repeated until it is completely filled, so that the film stretches gradually
The excess edges of the film are removed, and the decoration of the reservoir begins with stones, which should press the film. In addition, it is allowed to lay the bottom of the pond with stones.
Only those plants that are used for cleaning should be left near the pond. Arrowhead or yellow iris is suitable and planted along the borders of the pond.

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