Do-it-yourself pond from improvised materials. Pond in the country: varieties and do-it-yourself technology. Materials needed for manufacturing

Decorating a summer cottage with a decorative pond is a good solution. Particularly pleased with the cool water in summer heat. Even a small pond in the country can be equipped with a fountain or a waterfall, plants and flowers can be planted, ennobled with stones and placed next to chairs or benches. Get a great seating area. Any summer resident can make this beauty with his own hands in 1-2 days without significant financial costs.

What can you make a decorative pond from?

There are many materials for the manufacture of garden ponds. You can choose more expensive ones and build an impressive deep lake, or you can find improvised materials for free and make a small decorative pond.

From a tire

Old used tires from heavy construction vehicles or tractors can be bought for a penny or found for free. According to its properties, the rubber from which they are made perfectly withstands seasonal temperature changes from frost to heat and does not let water through. This material has a long service life and a finished perfectly round shape. You can find this material at tire shops or car dealerships.

From tires you can make a multi-level pond with a small "waterfall"

From an old bath

A well-used bathtub made of cast iron, steel or acrylic has an oval or angular shape and a shallow depth, just right for a country pond. If the color of the enamel does not suit you, you can paint the bath in a blue tint for the effect of clear water or brown to match the soil.

If you surround the bath with stones, no one will guess what the pond is made of.

From a plastic container

Special ready-made plastic containers are sold for creating reservoirs of various sizes and depths. These bowls can be of very different configurations with steps and separate areas of shallow water and deepening. Durable material will withstand all loads and last long years. A wide range of colors allows you to choose a bowl for every taste. For the winter, it is not required to drain the water and dismantle the pond.

Blue and blue containers look more positive than black

PVC film

Flexible roll waterproofing materials and membranes for swimming pools are excellent for creating a reservoir of complex multi-stage shape, due to their flexibility and softness. PVC film is the most affordable of all produced. Only polyethylene is cheaper, but it quickly collapses under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, it will have to be laid in 2-3 layers. Polyethylene film is recommended to be used in this capacity only for temporary structures.

From PVC film, you can make a spring of any shape and any size.

Other

Butyl rubber pool membrane costs a lot, but it is specially designed for waterproofing, does not freeze, does not rot. The service life of this film is 50 years, it is capable of tenfold stretching under significant loads without the risk of tearing.

A monolithic concrete bowl is considered the strongest and most durable, you can walk freely on it if you need to clean the bottom or transplant pond plants. To create such a pool, it will take more time due to the time of solidification and curing of the material. Additional costs for reinforcement and drainage will pay off with interest, especially in the case of a large reservoir.

A pond from a monolithic concrete bowl is more practical and effective than others

Choosing a place for a reservoir in a summer cottage

In the process of designing and design ideas, it is important to determine a good place to place the future pond and the adjacent recreation area. Small volumes of water quickly heat up in the sun, they are best placed in the shade. The sun's rays should not fall on the surface for more than 6 hours a day. In the shade, the water will not overheat, and biological pollution will occur more slowly. In hot summer days evaporation from the surface of a small pond can reach 5 cm, which is dangerous for animals and plants.

Fallen leaves and fruits from trees pollute the surface of the water, and the growing root system can damage the waterproofing layer. Therefore, it is better to place the bowl away from deciduous and fruit trees and shrubs.

Choosing plants for a pond in the garden

A bare pond without plants does not look aesthetically pleasing, it does not look like a real one. natural reservoir. Suitable plants should be chosen, which in nature live near ponds and lakes, in swamps. They are divided into three groups:

• floating in the water;
• immersed in water;
• coastal.

The first group includes free-floating plants that are not fixed by the root system in the bottom soil. The depth of the water is not important to them. The following plants are popular in this group:

• eichornia (water hyacinth) - perennial, with large blue flowers and leaves immersed in water;
• pistia (water rose) - has light green rosettes of leaves, similar to roses;
• vodokras is recommended to breed in small ponds, this plant with small white flowers and round leaves floats in the water, and in autumn its foliage dies off.

A healthy microclimate is formed in water protected from overheating by large floating leaves.

Submerged in water and growing at the bottom in the ground, in a special container or pot, cultures are included in the second group. The following plants are popular:

• water lily is one of the most beautiful and popular aquatic plants. Water lilies are planted in pots, which are placed at the bottom of the pond. Water lily flowers are white, pink and yellow;
• the hornwort is an oxygen generator, it floats in the water column and contributes to the natural preservation of the purity of the pond and oxygenation;
• The arrowhead got its name from the shape of the leaves, it is planted to a depth of about 10 cm.

Coastal plants are planted around the reservoir, they grow well in waterlogged soil, decorate and shade the coastal zone. Popular plants:

• calamus is a tall grass with sharp arrow-shaped leaves, an excellent companion for flowering crops;
• marsh marigold - unpretentious bushes with a scattering of small yellow flowers;
• swamp iris is similar to garden varieties, has yellow flowers, grows along the banks of rivers and lakes in large bushes.

Swamp iris can become the main focus in the composition of a country pond

How to build an artificial pond in the country with your own hands

This garden decoration is easy to make yourself, and you do not need to spend a lot of money on it. If you strictly follow the technology and find the necessary materials at hand, prepare the tool, then in a couple of days you will be able to admire your creation - a beautiful pond. The large deep pool will be ready in 2 weeks due to more thorough ground preparation.

From a plastic container

Polypropylene, polyethylene or fiberglass bowls are available in various depths and shapes. The most popular is an irregularly rounded configuration that mimics a natural body of water. To install the tank, you will need the following materials and tools:

• tape measure, pegs and string for marking;
• shovel;
• level;
• sand and gravel, water, cement;
• fittings.

The design of the object includes a sketch on the site plan, a drawing with the placement of boulders, plants, technical communications. Eat ready-made schemes and design options for a country pond.

Installation of a bowl for a decorative pond

Depending on the planned purpose of the pond, you can buy a container of the desired dimensions. If the reservoir will perform cleanly decorative function, then it is recommended to make it multi-stage, shallow and small. For breeding ornamental fish and amphibians, you should choose a bowl with a central area deeper than the freezing point so that the living creatures can overwinter.

A small fountain will decorate any country pond

Before installing a small plastic bowl in the chosen place, it is necessary to prepare the base by making a sand cushion. For this you need:

If a container of impressive size is purchased, then a sand cushion is not enough, it will be required concrete base. For this you need:

1. Mark the outlines of the sides of the bowl, sprinkling the contour with sand. At a distance of 15 cm from the sand line, drive in pegs to mark the edge of the pit.
2. Clear the surface of grass, turf and stones.
3. Dig a hole 30 cm deeper than the height of the reservoir.
4. Level and compact the bottom and fill it with 5 cm of sand.
5. Pour a 10 cm layer of crushed stone of medium fraction on top, lay a reinforcing mesh and pour concrete mortar 5–7 cm thick. Pillow curing time is approximately 2 weeks.

The bottom of the future pond should be flat

Installing the bowl on the base takes several steps:

1. Pour water into 1/3 of the volume, fill in the gaps between the bowl and the walls of the pit with wet sand, compact it.
2. Gradually add water and pour sand into the pit until the entire container is dug into the ground.
3. After 2 days, the sand will settle, and the form will firmly fall into place.

Now you can mount the technical part: fountains, additional equipment, pipes, filters. An excellent option for a country pond would be a floating fountain, which simultaneously acts as a filter and saturates the water with oxygen. Such a model will not only decorate the pond, but also clean it, ensure the health of fish and coastal plants. Installation is done like this:

After doing technical work you can start decorating and planting plants:

PVC film

The best choice for price and durability roll material to create a pond is a PVC film. For installation you will need:

• PVC film with a margin of 50 cm width on each side;
• roulette, level;
• shovel, rake;
• a machine for welding a film or a building hair dryer with a nozzle;
• sand, water.

When designing film structures, you can show more imagination and come up with a complex shape. Flexible and soft membrane will allow you to embody the design idea. The stepped structure will allow you to plant plants or enter the water for swimming. First you need to make an accurate drawing to scale and a sketch with design and decor options.

A waterfall will fit well into the design of the pond

The base should be as level as possible, clean and without sharp stones and clods of earth. A sand cushion device is enough.

Stages of work:

Now you can lay tiles or stone that can be fastened together cement mortar, decorate the pond with boulders and coastal plants, which are displayed in pots on underwater steps near the surface of the water or in the ground in the coastal zone around the boulders. Floating oxygenator cultures saturate the water with oxygen, water lilies and lotuses decorate the surface with magnificent flowers.

Light shades of the film will allow you to see fish and plants better, while dark ones will create a complete imitation of real bottom soil.

You can decorate a pond with a dark base with plants and decorative figures.

Floating filters and UV flashlights help keep the water clean longer. Snails will clean the walls from plaque, frogs and fish will reduce the number of mosquitoes and other harmful insects.

From a tire

Having available material at hand, for example, old tires, you can equip a pond absolutely free of charge in one day. The round shape is predetermined. An interesting option This design consists of three tires of different diameters, which are installed at different heights. It turns out a natural cascading three-stage waterfall.

To work with rubber, you need to prepare:

• shovel;
• level;
• waterproofing film;
• knife with a metal blade;
• sealant;
• sand and gravel;
• stones and plants for decoration.

When designing, it should be taken into account that the tire can be dug into the ground completely or only up to half the height, or it can be completely placed on the surface. The frost resistance and durability of rubber will allow you to leave the pond for the winter in its place. The largest diameter of 3 m and a height of 1 m are tires of the Belarus tractor or tires from BelAZ equipment. You can even swim in this pond.

Several individual ponds can not be combined - the composition will turn out to be harmonious from several tires of different sizes

Foundation preparation:

1. Mark out the site by laying and circling the tire around. Remove the sod and remove the plants.
2. Dig a pit, expanding it by 15 cm from the size of the tire and deepening it to the height of the tire plus 15–20 cm.
3. Remove stones, clods of earth and debris, level the bottom of the site according to the level, tamp. A layer of geotextile can be laid to stabilize the ground and prevent the growth of weeds and tree roots.
4. Pour a layer of 10 cm of crushed stone and 5 cm of sand, spill with water and tamp, check the level.
5. This item is performed if it is decided to make a concrete platform for the reservoir. A reinforcement grid or reinforcing mesh is laid on top of the sand cushion and poured with a concrete solution 7 cm thick. Cover with plastic wrap and wait for the screed to dry after about 2 weeks.

The base is ready, and now you can start installing and decorating the country pond. The work includes the following steps:

A wonderful ensemble with a reservoir will turn out if you equip a small alpine hill nearby. Pour a hill of soil, compact it a little and give it the desired shape, then lay it out picturesquely with stones. You can use driftwood, old ceramic pots and vases. Plant unpretentious, creeping plants in the soil between the stones, and moisture-loving crops closer to the water. Over time, the plants will grow, and the hill will take on a wild natural look.

Video: do-it-yourself small pond with a fountain

Arrangement ideas

The style of the reservoir should be in harmony with the general style direction of the entire summer cottage, garden. On a small estate, a pond can be made a central decoration and a recreation area for the whole family can be arranged around it. There are many ideas landscape design- everyone will choose the ideal option for themselves.

By following simple care rules and paying attention to animals and plants, you can create a wonderful corner of freshness and coolness, which will become a favorite vacation spot for the whole family. Construction does not require a lot of time and money, and the result will be impressive.

Own artificial pond in the country has ceased to be a luxury, now everyone can build such a masterpiece. Such a structure can be aesthetic and functional. Some ponds are designed to beautify the landscape, others are for swimming or fish breeding. Even just watching the water in the pond calms and improves mood. Making a pond on your site is simple, just understand the basic nuances.

Peculiarities

For some people, an artificial pond is not an ornament, but a necessity. If an annoying stream flows through your site or you have long put up with marshy land, then a pond will thoroughly improve your situation. It is best to build a reservoir in the spring. For self-construction of a pond, there are many options that involve the use of special expensive materials or available (even improvised) tools. Such a construction does not require much time, effort and money. All you need is attention to detail and strict adherence to recommendations.

Kinds

An artificial pond in the country is built for various purposes. It is by this criterion that the following types can be distinguished:

• Small. A small pond becomes part of the landscape design. It was created to decorate a certain area in the garden. Near such a pond, you can read a book in an armchair, but it does not involve active recreation.
• Decorative. Deeper than the previous version. Such a pond has a fountain inside, lighting around the perimeter, an openwork bridge and other decorative elements. The purpose of decorative ponds is to attract all the attention. Such reservoirs are located near the gazebo or open terrace.
• For breeding fish. Such a reservoir will delight fishermen, children and cats. Beautiful fish are a pleasure to watch, and many species are great for dinner. It is important not only to launch the fish, but also to create comfortable conditions for them to breed.
• For swimming. Own reservoir on the site is a good alternative to a simple pool. Such a pond is not limited only to aesthetic properties, but also benefits. A small pond will provide an opportunity to cool off in the heat, and a deep and large one will allow you to swim and play water games.

Key issues such as location, size, shape and stylistic design decided on the basis of the type of reservoir. Therefore, first set a clear goal for yourself, only then proceed to the next steps.

Material

Modern manufacturers offer a great abundance of materials for self-manufacturing pond. It all depends on your goals and financial capabilities. For right choice must be thoroughly examined possible options. For swimming pond good option will be the construction of a concrete bowl.

Filling the pond allows you to use it for a long time. This option is quite expensive, but reliable. A more suitable and affordable option is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or fiberglass. The reliability of the materials allows the bowl to be used from 5 to 30 years, it directly depends on the work performed and the type of material. Both options for creating a pond allow you to create the desired depth and shape.

Purchase forms - a simplified version. It is enough just to dig a pit, mount the form and reinforce the structure with sand. Plastic bowls are quite durable and easily endure winter frosts. Polypropylene bowls are afraid of ultraviolet rays and become unusable due to their long exposure. The disadvantages of such structures are considered to be a rather high price and difficult transportation.

A bowl under a large pond will be difficult to bring to its destination without damage. Moreover, you will need elementary skills in mounting such structures; it is difficult for beginners to cope with such a task without damaging the bowl.

The most reliable film is considered to be butyl rubber, made of rubber. Masters recommend using such material for those who have a pond of impressive depth, a bottom with many stones and roots. You can enjoy a pond with such waterproofing for 50 years. The great advantage of the material is its favorable reaction to repeated freezing and thawing. Specialized materials are the preferred option, but not the only one. Craftsmen offer the following options:

• old bath. Such an object can be painted and installed on the surface, or it can be lowered into the ground to an arbitrary depth. Together with the pond, you can easily install a small fountain.
• Tires. Tires or wheels are variably used as the frame of a small pond.
• Basin. The installation method is similar to the bathroom. The object itself is so light that such ponds are often made by children and women, while they cannot cope with a bath. It is important to pay special attention to the decor so as not to overload the space with details.
• Plastic bottles . Such material makes it possible to create small reservoirs with maximum speed. It is enough to cut the eggplant at the desired level and dig in the right place.

Keep in mind that it depends on the material how long the country pond will delight you. It is important to choose materials that do not harm the environment. Otherwise, toxins will seep into the ground, and this will affect your crop.

Size

It cannot be unequivocally stated that a large pond will cost more than a small one or will have better aesthetic properties. Best Options you need to choose based on your goals. Key factors when choosing a size:

• Dimensions. This parameter depends solely on the location of the reservoir. It is believed that the reservoir should cover no more than 3-10% of the area of ​​​​the entire summer cottage. There are no clear boundaries, it all depends on your preferences.
• Lenght and width. This criterion also largely depends on the size of the site, the purpose of the reservoir and on your capabilities. The latter concerns digging a pit - you can dig a small one yourself, for a large one you will need special equipment.
• Depth. The larger the pond, the deeper it can be made. So, a mini-design can have a depth of several tens of centimeters, and a swimming pond - several meters.

• Zoning is relevant for large reservoirs. Design experts recommend dividing the reservoir into 3 zones. The coastal zone is 10-40 cm deep for approaching the pond and planting ornamental plants. Shallow zone - from 40 cm to 1 m, at such a depth you can land a winter-hardy water lily or nymphaeum. If this is a swimming pool, then it is such a zone that will make it possible to smoothly enter the water. At a shallow depth, children can swim. The deep-water zone is more than 1 meter deep, adults can swim here, and fish are also bred at such a depth.
• Biodynamic balance. This factor must be taken into account if various kinds of living creatures live in the pond. Provide such a balance that the artificial pond can clean itself. Purification of water in a pond with fish or plants using chlorine or ozone is not provided.
• Care. As a rule, the larger the body of water, the easier it is to clean. Be sure to consider ways to care for plants, fish, and the pond itself.

Location

It is very important to properly position the pond. Especially if we are talking about a large-scale structure that will serve you for more than one year. Important factors when choosing a location:

• Plot size. This factor is closely related to the size of the pond itself, and hence its location.
• Relief. It is important to take into account the combination of the land relief with the forms of the pond itself.
• Soil composition and groundwater. This factor is directly related to the maximum depth of the pond. Under unfavorable circumstances, additional troubles and material costs await you.
• Illumination. Choose a shady spot. It is impossible that the sun hit the water for more than 5-6 hours a day. Neglect of this factor leads to active evaporation of water and increased activity of bacteria. To select the right place, observe the solar regime for 2-3 days. It is especially important to correctly evaluate this criterion when breeding fish. In heated water, the amount of oxygen decreases, which can lead to the death of pets.
• Visibility. Choose a location where you can see the pond from a window or gazebo. decorative pond will become a visiting card of your site, if it is noticeable at the entrance to the territory.

• Reflection. Strangely enough, it is better to think in advance what will be reflected in your pond. If a toilet in the yard or a barn gets into the reflection, this can spoil the overall impression.
• degree of landscaping. Make sure tree roots cannot damage the pond bowl. Also keep in mind that in autumn leaves and branches can fall into the pond, which will turn into silt at the bottom. Carelessness in choosing the right place can lead to difficulties in maintaining the pond. If you really want to decorate the perimeter of the pond with bushes, then consider the option of plants in barrels (tubs).
• Power supply. Some decorative elements are powered by electricity. So, you can put an interesting fountain, make a backlight and much more. The main thing is to carefully consider the option of supplying electricity to water. It is better to think about this issue at the design stage. It is most safe to place the wires underground in a reliable corrugation. For permanent access to them, equip the hatch.
• Future extensions and improvements. Plan ahead. You may want to expand the pond or work out the recreation area near it in more detail. Provide free space on at least one side of the pond.

Color

The tone of waterproofing is of great importance, it affects the overall image. The black bottom creates the illusion of a mirror. In such a reservoir, plants and the sky are perfectly reflected. The brown and black material allows you to create an imitation of natural soil, which is usually located at the bottom of a reservoir.

Blue and cream ponds do not look much like a creation of nature, but are an excellent option when breeding motley fish. Also, blue and grayish tones are great for the body of water in which you are going to swim. These colors imitate the bottom of the pool.

Thus, the color should be chosen based on the destination. The decorative pond will come closer to the natural look due to the dark bottom. For breeding fish and swimming, you should choose light colors, up to white.

Forms

It is almost impossible to describe all forms of ponds, because the imagination of design masters knows no bounds. It is conditionally possible to select the correct geometric shapes and fantasy. Among the first, the most popular designs are in the form of a circle, oval, rectangle. Fantasy forms are more bizarre, and this is their charm. Such ponds are most similar to the creation of nature, which does not tolerate rigor. Among the popular forms, one can single out exactly the imitation of the natural form.

Style and design

Design specialists responsibly declare that a country pond can be made in two versions, but they can have many modifications. Design options:

1. Formal. The name speaks for itself. Such a country pond has clear geometric shapes. This option is well suited for sites in the Art Nouveau, hi-tech, minimalism, classic style. Formal include not only rectangular, square and round ponds. This also includes broken figures, they can be both symmetrical and asymmetric. The design of such ponds is strict. Classic neutral colors are used. A formal reservoir is characterized by a small number of additional decorative elements or their complete absence.
2. Landscape. This option is more popular than the previous one. Such a pond has a fuzzy coastline, close to natural. It is the landscape style that makes it possible to create a harmonious balance between an artificial reservoir and nature itself. You can realize your own bold ideas. Before choosing a pond style, evaluate the terrain of the site. Smooth ground guarantees the embodiment of any fantasy form.

Rise and recess in the ground require careful study, but make it easy to build a cascade or waterfall. Bridges and slides look more natural on intricate terrain.

You can create a suitable relief artificially. Need to use more complex technologies when working with the foundation. Carelessness will lead to skew due to subsidence of the earth. A high pond (located above the ground) is also possible as part of a landscape setting. There are many advantages to this design:

• Ease of maintenance.
• The minimum amount of earthworks.
• Safety of children and pets.

A bath pond is the most striking example of such a reservoir. You can paint on the walls Japanese style, which looks organic in the garden. Such an element will complement the overall landscape design of the site.

How to do it yourself?

The construction of the pond should be carried out according to clear instructions. So you can properly dig the boiler and lay the waterproofing. Construction of a pond using a film step by step:

• Making a pond starts with a plan. Choose a convenient scale and draw absolutely everything, including the depth of each zone. It is recommended at the same stage to think over the decorative design. This is especially true if you are planning to build a pond with a waterfall. A detailed plan will help you avoid mistakes.
• Now you need to mark up the future pit. This can be done with a rope stretched over pegs, a rubber hose or even sand (draw a contour with it). It is important that the banks are at the same height. Start digging a pit based on the plan. Check their level from time to time.
• It's time for earthworks. Dig a hole, the depth of which will correspond to the depth of the coastal zone. Make a markup, fix the line of penetration. Arrange the second tier and make a line for digging the deepest zone of the future pond. It is better to do excavation work together, and for a large pond, hire an excavator.

• After the hole is dug, you need to measure the dimensions and depth. Do it with string. To the resulting number, add 50 cm on each side of the pit. Now you know how much PVC film you need to purchase.
• Cover the hole tightly with cling film. Geotextiles can be laid under the bottom so that over time the roots of the trees do not damage the waterproofing. In addition, you can strengthen the structure with the help of roofing material or linoleum. It is possible to strengthen the shore and the bottom with the help of densely packed sand. It is recommended to perform this procedure on a sunny day, so the film will heat up and lie more tightly on all the bends of the pit.
• The edges of the film must be filled into a pre-prepared trench around the perimeter of the pond. Next, you need to fill the trench with rubble or other stone. This will ensure that the film is securely fixed.

• The coast should be strengthened so that over time the earth does not crumble. Strengthen the edge of the pond with stone blocks or plastic pipes, they need to be nailed to the pegs. It is recommended to lay out the edge with natural stone and complement the picture with large boulders.
• At this stage it is necessary place plants, which will decorate the pond, in special baskets and install them in the right places according to the plan. Lay out the bottom with small stone or gravel.

• It's time to pour water into the pond. The best helper for you will be a hose. Carrying water in buckets is not convenient, especially if the reservoir is large. Stagnant water can bring many problems, including bad smell. To eliminate this complexity, you can make a pond a stream. To do this, simply raise the source a little above the level of the pond, and supply water to it from the bowl itself using a pump. Such a device will save you from unnecessary trouble.
• Installation submersible pump , pipes to the source of the stream and connecting the filter - the last stage of technical work. It is recommended to use a pressure filter for water purification, it is more efficient.

A more domestic version of the pond from old bath can be done so that the old plumbing will be unrecognizable in a magical composition. The process of building a pond can be performed according to the following instructions:

• Dig a hole under the bathroom so that the depth of the pit is 40 cm higher than the tank itself.
• Finish the edges of the hole. Remove 35-45 cm of earth along the perimeter.
• Deepen these strips so that the height is the same as the height of the tub.

Be sure to close the bathtub drain. You can use concrete or film for waterproofing. After that, lower the tub into the hole.

• Tape the inside of the tub small tiles or paint it with waterproof paint of the desired color. Then cover the tub and let it dry completely.
• Cover the perimeter of the bathtub with a chain-link mesh. This material is rightfully considered the best for reinforcement.
• Cover the chain-link with a mixture of sand and cement.
• Do some decorative work. To do this, you can use stones, tiles, gravel and similar materials.

Required Tools

The amount of inventory depends on how complex and varied the body of water you want to create. To build a simple pond, you will need:

• Shovel.
• Trolley for the earth.
• Building level.
• Cord for marking.
• Pegs.
• Hose for water supply.
• Pond waterproofing film or any other base.

Such a minimum list is always needed. In addition to the above, you may need fences. This will keep your pets and children safe. Decorative fences significantly affect the overall appearance artificial reservoir.

Technique

To create a more complex composition, you need to acquire additional equipment:

• Water purification filter. This is especially important if you are building a fish pond.
• Water pump. Such a device is used for pumping and pumping water, operating filters, fountains and waterfalls.
• Sterilizer. This device guarantees crystal clear water in the pond.
• Aerator (compressor). The device saturates the water with oxygen. Relevant in the pond with fish and plants. It is important to choose a model specifically for the pond, models for aquariums do not have the necessary power. You may need to use an excavator to dig the pit.

Plants and additional accessories

As decoration can be installed in the pond decorative fountain. The design can be bought ready-made or built independently. A decorative pond is often supplemented with bridges. Garden figurines close up perfectly complement the composition. Flowers and plants in the pond require special attention. Plants are divided into deep water and shallow water.

The first are planted at the bottom in special baskets. They should occupy no more than 30% of the total area of ​​​​the reservoir, otherwise it will turn into a swamp. Such a bust can kill other inhabitants of the reservoir, especially fish. Carefully plant flowers on the coast, keep in mind that they will grow over time.

First of all, nymphs are planted in the pond, and then the bottom is covered decorative stone starting from the deep zone. On the terrace you can plant marsh calla, calamus, sedge, chastukha and susak. On the water surface, you can place a water hyacinth, rogulnik, pistia or a swamp.

On the shore you can place various types of iris, reeds, buzulnik, aruncus, miscanthus. The composition can be supplemented with perennials: hostas, buttercups, primroses, astilbes or bathing suits.

Peltiphyllums, loosestrife, Rogersia look great near an artificial pond.

Do you need fish?

The reservoir can be inhabited by different fauna. Ducks and even swans can live on the pond, it all depends on you. Most often, fish live in country ponds. The choice of inhabitants of the reservoir should be taken carefully. Most often, crucian carp, goldfish, carps and tench become inhabitants of the ponds. Keep in mind that one fish up to 15 cm in size needs about 50 liters of water space. Suitable fish species:

• Koi. Pisces are distinguished by intelligence and affection for their owners. Pets can even eat from your hands. The colors of the fish are quite interesting: yellow, blue, black, orange and white. In the conditions of an artificial pond, they live for about 20-30 years and grow up to 90 cm.
• Gold fish. Such a fish will delight you up to 35 years old and will grow up to 45 cm. The weight of the fish does not exceed 1.5 kg. The daily portion of food is 3% of the weight of the fish. You can feed dry mixes.

• Colored carp. Golden carp can be from 50 cm long and weigh from 3 kg, while silver carp grows up to 40 cm and weighs no more than 2 kg. For the winter period, you need to provide the fish with a simple condition - a depth of 1 m.
• Tench. On average, the fish grow up to 20-40 cm. These fish are lazy in temperament and do not like to be active. Spend time at the bottom, near plants, do not like bright colors. The main advantage is unpretentiousness. Tench lives where many fish die.

Specialists and experienced hosts give such important recommendations:

• Position the bottom of the pond below the freezing point of the ground. It is especially important to follow this advice when building a fish pond. This will ensure that your pets are able to survive the winter.
• Even the greenest pond should have 50% free space. It is worth considering that plants grow over time.
• Begin the construction of a summer cottage in the spring. So you will gain time for the complete arrangement of the composition and the pond will have time to take root.
• If you want a fountain, build a tall pond. So the composition will look more harmonious.

• The earth from the boiler can be disposed of in several ways. You can distribute the soil throughout the garden and raise the ground level. You can also use this soil to create an artificial relief.
• A high-quality water filter will help purify water even in the most difficult situation. The combination of mechanical and biological filters will completely deprive you of the hassle with water.
• With the help of stones, you can not only decorate the reservoir, but also fix the flexible insulation. This option will add durability and reliability to the design.
• The special mesh construction will help protect your pond from falling leaves and branches.

• Stretch a black thread over shallow water to protect the fish from hunting birds and pets. To protect against cats, it is better to use a fence.
• The net will help clear the water of fallen leaves and debris.
• Watch for algae growth at the bottom of the pond. Get rid of excess immediately.

During the winter cold, pay more attention to the pond. Plants are best protected from frost. Ice can be removed from the surface manually.

Beautiful examples and options

Decorating a homemade pond can be not only aesthetic, but also functional. The construction of streams and fountains creates the effect of a natural flow of water. Such a reservoir can extend through the entire territory of the garden. The stream should be made from the same materials as the pond itself. So all the components will merge into a harmonious ensemble. Decorating the space around the pond can dramatically change the overall impression of the site.

Lay out the path to work with a decorative stone. An interesting result will give the use of fragments of different sizes.

So you can arrange all the trails on suburban area. In this case, your pond will fit more harmoniously into the overall design.

Excellent option for country house becomes a fairy garden. Lay out the paths with colored tiles. Design the pond as a magical place. Plant plants with irregularly shaped leaves. Launch colorful fish into the pond. The boulders around the pond can be painted with bright colors. With the help of decorative lighting or lanterns, you can achieve an extremely interesting result.

Pleasant light on a summer evening will create a special coziness and emphasize the unusualness of a homemade pond. Flashlights different color will help create a real fairy tale and the effect of magic. The backlight inside the pond looks especially impressive if interesting representatives of flora and fauna live in it. Such a pond will not leave you and your guests indifferent.

If your body of water is intended for swimming, then it is important to arrange the area around the perimeter in the form of a sunny beach. Protect a certain space from the rest of the site with a fence. Sprinkle sand from the pond to the fence and place sun loungers, a table, and an umbrella. Such a pleasant atmosphere is conducive to relaxation. An excellent composition of a bridge, lanterns and a waterfall will never get bored.

Such a magical place in the middle of your garden will drastically change the overall atmosphere. Place a gazebo with soft rocking chairs near this design. Near the pond will be nice to be in any weather. Colorful fish or colorful pebbles at the bottom of the pond will make it more fun and attractive. This design is especially advantageous for families with children. The little inhabitants of the house will definitely appreciate this design.

How you want sometimes in the summer, on a hot day, to relax in nature near a small lake or pond. It’s great if such a reservoir is located nearby from your place of residence. But, for the most part, we have to rest in free time summer on their household plots or cottages. And many of us, unfortunately, have money to build even a small country house and payment for the services of a landscape designer. A person has no other choice but to equip a pond in the country on your own. By the way, it is not difficult to make it and it is quite real. It usually depends on your desire, effort and personal imagination. Therefore, the article of the construction portal will tell you how to make a pond in the country with your own hands step by step.

Important information

So, if you are going to build such a structure in your country house, then first you need to decide on the place where you want to place this reservoir. We advise you to immediately determine the size and shape of the future pond. Remember that these configurations and dimensions directly depend on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe future pond. The larger it is, the more convenient it will be for its further operation and maintenance.
A small pond will have to be cleaned and cleaned much more often than a large one. If you decide to plant a large number of plants in it and start a variety of fish, then it is better not to consider a pond with a small area as an option, because the internal microclimate will be disturbed and it will be difficult to maintain the necessary ecological balance in it.

As for the choice of the future place, then the future place for the reservoir should be chosen in an open area. Remember that the pond should be in a quiet area and not be subject to gusts strong wind. Do not choose an area with bright lighting. It should be in a place that is protected from direct sunlight into the water (more than 7 hours), because in the future the pond will be prone to flowering. And its inhabitants will be only frogs. But if there is not enough light, then the growth of plants will sharply decrease, and you are unlikely to see beauty from this reservoir.
If your plans include the installation of a small fountain, then you will need to prepare a reservoir diagram for the competent connection of special equipment. With a little work, you can make a circuit yourself.
Do not forget about how far the electrical system is from the pond. If you place a pond under trees, this can lead to the fact that falling leaves from them will lead to water pollution and it will be necessary to clean this pond much more often. Also, tree roots can cause damage to the reservoir, and the pond will begin to dry out.

Pay attention to the publication of the site: How to make a pipe bender yourself

We equip a home pond on a rigid basis

If you want to equip the reservoir thoroughly, then you should dig a large pit and cast a large bowl of the reservoir using cement and reinforcement. This design will serve you for many years (at least 25).
If you have plans to make the reservoir small, then you can stop at the cheaper and lighter option.
Let's find out below how to equip a country pond on your own? So, the easiest and most affordable method is to purchase a finished “bowl” in a specialized store. But the big disadvantage this method is that you will have to choose the shape of your future pond, which is offered for sale. Of the less expensive options, you can choose a plastic pond with a total area of ​​​​5 to 9 sq.m. Naturally, there are larger forms, but this is no longer a pond, but a pool and their cost is much higher.

Before purchasing the design you like, you should ask the seller about its depth. It must be at least 1 meter deep. The water in this tank will warm up quickly in the summer, and will not freeze to the bottom in winter. Which in this case is one of the main factors. If you are going to equip a pond on your own, in your summer cottage, and you want to use the finished form as the basis of the reservoir, then you first need to familiarize yourself with what materials are used in the manufacture this product.
A container made of plastic is the cheapest option, but when choosing this product, you will need to take into account its disadvantages. When delivering and further installing this product, you should be careful, as the container can easily burst in the event of a slight impact or bending. A material such as plastic is very susceptible to destruction from exposure to sunlight. Based on this, the operation of such a pond will be small - about 4-7 years. To achieve a longer service life, it is necessary to choose a container made of reinforced plastic. This material will last you much longer than usual. Such forms are less susceptible to ultraviolet radiation and are much more plastic in their properties than products made from conventional plastic.

A more expensive, but also high-quality product is a fiberglass container with a rubber base. This product withstands temperature changes, will not deform or collapse from sunlight, and the components included in it are environmentally friendly and are not dangerous for the inhabitants of the reservoir. The service life of such a pond will be approximately 30-35 years. It is easy to repair, which, in turn, increases its operation several times. The arrangement of such a reservoir is not a very difficult job. And as a result, you get a beautiful in shape, color and aesthetic in every respect a place to relax.

We build a reservoir on our summer cottage ourselves

This publication will tell each reader about how to make a pond in the country with your own hands. In general, remember that in order to equip a pond on your own, you need to choose a place for it on the site and decide on its future shape. Let's say that this stage of work is completed. Now you need to prepare for the construction work.

• First you need to mark the contours of the future pit. Making them is easy enough. With the help of a shovel, you need to make a border of the silhouette. 25 cm should be added to the prepared contour, so that sand can be poured into the pond. If you bought a container with ledges, you need to dig each finished level separately, gradually reducing them. It should be added to each resulting level of 12-17 cm for future sand addition.
• After you make a pit, its edges will need to be leveled, while tamping with a shovel. It is also recommended to remove all unnecessary debris from the pit, and root system shrubs or trees. If this procedure is not followed, then the form can be spoiled.
• Next, we start pouring sand. Each layer must be at least 15 cm, in which case the pond will not subside in the future.
• Then we are engaged in the installation of a plastic container. It is necessary to carefully carry out this work, using the building level to ensure a smooth installation of the bath.
• After the container is installed, it is necessary to carefully pour water into the container, filling it by a third. The space remaining between the edges of the pit and the tank should be carefully covered with sand. Make sure all voids are filled. To do this, you need to regularly water the soil with water. The water pressure in this case should be small.
• After installing the container, you need to continue watering the soil around the reservoir, and if necessary add sand. After the soil subsidence stops, the container can be completely filled with water. With the help of stones, decorate the edge of the bowl, and plant plants.

Country pond made of flexible materials

Above, we talked about how to make a pond in the country with our own hands. Now we will tell you about what options exist for making a pond yourself, in case you cannot buy a finished bowl, but want to build a large pond of the original form.

So, one of the most affordable options in this case can be polyethylene, 600 microns thick. Although its cost is low, this material has a fairly large number of shortcomings.

Polyethylene is very thin in composition, so it can be torn, and under the influence of ultraviolet light, it begins to quickly collapse. The service life of a reservoir made of a polyethylene substrate will, alas, be very short, approximately 3-3.5 years.

And a material such as PVC film is quite cheap, but its composition is much stronger than polyethylene film. Its service life will be 9-10 years. The PVC coating can also consist of two layers, with a fabric backing. This material also, unfortunately, has a lot of shortcomings. It is also subject to its destruction from the sun, like polyethylene. But there is one main difference - you can always make it repair. On sale there are so-called repair kits. In addition, PVC film has good elasticity, excellent stretch. And a large number of folds created as a result of filling the pond with water straighten out after a while.

One of the most expensive coatings, but also the highest quality is butyl rubber. The service life of this material is 50-60 years. It is not subject to temperature fluctuations. Indeed, neither frost nor the sun are afraid of him. It has excellent properties - flexibility and plasticity. Withstands heavy loads. So if your plans include the construction of a large pond of a bizarre shape, then the best material you can't find.

The next step will be marking the pit. To make a reservoir yourself, you will need to use various materials. You will need:

• sand,
• pebble,
• rope,
• felt,
• film,
• shovel,
• repair kit for film coating,
• bricks,
• irrigation hose,
• building level.

Using the use of pegs and rope, it is necessary to mark out the shape of the pit that you want to make. For arranging a large reservoir during land work, you can use excavators. Care should be taken to ensure that the levels and alternate with each other.

This method is necessary to create more stable shores of the reservoir. You should also not forget about the terraces (about 25 cm wide) needed for planting. The descents of the ledges from each other should be gentle. The angle of inclination in this case should correspond to 45 degrees. Do not forget that the depth of the future reservoir should be 90 cm. If this distance is less, then with the onset of winter, all the water in the pond will freeze, and the inhabitants of the reservoir will all die. It follows that it is necessary to make a pit 20-25 cm larger than the planned size of the pond. This is necessary for pouring sand on its bottom and on the terraces, in order to eliminate future subsidence of the soil, damage to the base of the film. The mound of sand must be thoroughly leveled and properly compacted, removing all debris, stones and roots from the bottom in advance.

Drainage and waterproofing

1. After the embankment is ready, you can proceed to the next job. In order to preserve the integrity of the film intended for the reservoir as long as possible, geotextiles should be laid on a layer of sand, preferably in several layers.
2. After that, we level the film and fix its edges on the banks with the help of bricks. No, it makes no sense to try to smooth out all the wrinkles that have appeared on the film. Water will straighten them out later. Try to knead the irrigation hose so that one of its edges is placed in the center of the pond, and gradually, with a small pressure, we begin to supply water. With a uniform filling of the reservoir with water, it is necessary to partially release the edges of the film and level it along the ledges of the pit. After the pond is completely filled with water, it is necessary to stop any work for 2-3 days. During this time, the film will begin to gradually smooth out under the action of water and, as a result, all voids in the pond will be filled.
3. After its final subsidence, we proceed to cut off the remaining parts of the film, while leaving 45-50 cm for further decoration of the banks. We fix the edges of the film with pegs and small metal arcs. Later they will be hidden. ornamental plants and various stones and pebbles.
4. Now we are installing the pump and starting to plant ornamental plants.

Pond above the ground in the country

From this article, each reader will be able to learn how to make a pond in the country with their own hands step by step. Besides, useful information In this article we will show an interesting video.

If there are small children in the family, then the most important task in the construction of a reservoir is to ensure children's safety. In this case, it is necessary to equip the pond slightly above the surface of the water. This method will not only facilitate its further operation, but also make the reservoir safe for children. It will be necessary to use a reinforced concrete foundation for this. Let's describe in detail how to build such a pond.

1. To begin with, you should dig a pit in the deepest part of the pond, and then make terraces for future plants, as described above.
2. Along the banks of the reservoir, with the help of formwork, it will be necessary to fill the foundation of the required height.
3. After it has completely dried, the wooden formwork can be removed, and the inner parts of the resulting walls can be treated with plaster to make them smooth. By using this method, you will avoid damage to the film.
4. We cover the finished bottom of the pit with a film and begin to fill it with water.
5. Fixing the edges of the film, we leave them behind the manufactured fence. After the pond is filled with water, we give it some time to settle.
6. Then we begin to cut off the excess edges of the film, fix it, and create a decor for the edges of the pond.

It should be noted that arranging a pond on your own is not an easy task. But if you approach this correctly, then the result can exceed all your expectations and please you for more than one year. In such a case, you must also try to maintain proper and regular care for your reservoir. Here are a few examples that you will probably need:

Equipment designed to clean up debris from the water in your pond. It can be, as a rule, all kinds of scissors, nets or devices for cleaning the bottom.

You will also need radio sockets in order to connect to the network of fountains installed in the reservoir, or a filter for water purification.

If you want to put fish in a pond, then you will definitely need devices such as water filtration units and various UV lamps.

You can not do without a pump designed to pump water from the pond. It also ensures its constant renewal, and in winter it drains the reservoir.

Even in a small area, you can equip a quite decent artificial reservoir, while sacrificing only a few beds. It'll be cheap. In order to create a pond in the country with your own hands, you only need geotextiles, PVC film or polyethylene and a few days of free time.

Choosing a place for an artificial reservoir

The most suitable site for placing an artificial reservoir is a place near the fence in the corner of the garden, which is illuminated in the morning, but is in partial shade at noon. Do not place the pond near large trees: growing roots can damage the pit cover. And during leaf fall, you will have to clean the pond from leaves almost daily.

An artificial pond is best placed in partial shade

Pit preparation

1. With the help of driven stakes and a rope, markings are made according to the shape of the pond at the selected place.

2. Sod is removed along the perimeter of the marking.

3. A small pit can be dug with an ordinary shovel. So that the walls of the pit do not crumble, its walls must have slight slope. There is no need to make an artificial reservoir too deep. Minimum depth bowls - 60 cm (plus 30-40 cm for backfilling drainage from crushed stone and sand).

4. If it is planned to launch fish into the pond, its depth should be lower soil freezing level in this climatic region. Otherwise, the water at the bottom will freeze and the fish will die. In the central part of Russia, the soil freezes to a depth of about 1.4-1.5 m.

5. For planting aquatic plants, it is better if the edges of the pit are stepped. The size of each of these steps is 10-15 cm.

Stepped pond pit

6. All large stones and branches are removed from the bottom of the pit, which can damage a not too strong film.

7. At the bottom of the pit falls asleep drainage: crushed stone, and then sand each with a layer of 20 cm and compacted.

8. To protect against soil erosion, a layer of geotextile. It can be replaced with any durable fabric: old carpets, blankets, old oilcloth or roofing material. Laying such a protective layer is carried out with an overlap on the edges of the pit of about 50 cm.

Roofing felt laying

9. Next, you can lay on the bottom of the reservoir polyethylene film(shelf life is about 3 years), pvc film (it will last longer, about 15 years) or durable butyl rubber. To prevent damage to the film during filling with water, it must be laid without tension.

A film is laid at the bottom of the pit

10. Do not cut off excess geotextiles and films immediately. They will take the desired shape only after filling the pond with water. It is better to dig along the perimeter of the pit shallow trench, in which it will be possible to lay the edges of the fabric and film and lightly cover with earth.

11. After filling the artificial reservoir with water, stones are laid along its edges, which will not only hold the material lining the bottom of the pond, but also serve as decoration. The edges of such an artificial reservoir can be decorate and decorative tiles, slate, sandstone or other appropriately sized stones or bricks.

Stones are laid along the edges of the reservoir

12. The area adjacent to the reservoir can be backfilled with gravel or marble chips.

Decoration of the edge of the reservoir

13. In the center or at the edge of the pond, you can install a small artificial fountain.

14. Along the edges of the reservoir, you can install several small lamps on solar panels.

Advice. If there is too little space on the site, a small artificial reservoir can be made from an old wheel or bath, buried in the ground and finished with stones along the edge (see photo).

A small artificial pond made from an old bathtub

Pond from an old wheel

Pond cleaning

Pond filter

It is enough to clean a small pond only once a season by hand. To do this, completely pump out water from it using a submersible pump and remove accumulated dirt from the bottom. To clean the pond, you can also use a special vacuum cleaner equipped with a filter, with which you can collect dirt from the bottom.

Pond vacuum cleaner

Advice. If you put a vessel filled with charcoal at the bottom of the pond, the water in it will not bloom for a long time.

Fallen leaves can be collected from the surface of the pond using a net. In autumn, during a strong leaf fall, the reservoir can be covered with a special net. To avoid getting dirt on winter period the pond is covered with any covering material.

Advice. So that the film does not crack in frost, it is better not to drain the water for the winter. To compensate for the pressure created when the ice expands, several wooden boards or plastic bottles filled with water can be thrown into the water.

Planting aquatic plants

Naturally, only those plants that can develop well in a given climatic region should be planted. To decorate the pond, you can use traditional plants: reed, sedge, reeds. Large plants (lilies, water lilies) will be able to cover the water surface from the bright scorching sun and reduce water heating. Flowering plants that prefer to settle near water bodies include arrowhead, kupena, plakun-grass, fern, bergenia, lungwort, water iris, etc.

Advice. For planting plants, you can use special containers that are placed along the bottom of the pit. In this case, it will be much easier to take care of the plants.

Planting aquatic plants

Video: Do-it-yourself pond in the country

Whether you like to swim or just relax near the water, relaxing on the shore of a reservoir is one of the great pleasures of summer. But not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a cottage near the water. Therefore, sooner or later, each of us thinks about how difficult it is to make a pond on the site with our own hands. Ideally, we see a pond in the country not only as decorative element landscape design, but also as a small reservoir in which you can enjoy swimming on a hot day.

Bathing pond with their own hands.

We will tell you the process of creating a pond step by step, and you can make a garden pond with your own hands - by building a cool oasis in the middle of the heat right on your summer cottage, where our everyday worries disappear with every light breath of fresh breeze.

A garden pond is a living organism.

The pond in the country house mimics the process that nature uses to keep the lake clean. Everything - from the size and shape of the pond, plant species and water circulation are designed to maintain the pond in a stable natural state.


The problems that the pond owner faces is maintaining the balance between plants and water - the plants either die or take over the entire surface of the pond. Only a pond that is a balanced ecosystem ensures optimal water clarity and quality, and maximum enjoyment of swimming in the pond.


The water in the pond must circulate among the roots of the plants in order to be purified. Plants enrich the water with oxygen, which supports the vital activity of beneficial bacteria that utilize pollution and potentially harmful organisms, and also create a habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic life. The result is a stable, ecologically diverse system. Nature has revealed its technology to us and we must carefully use it.

How to make a pond yourself. The principles of the pond.

Water is a living biologically active component and all purification occurs due to the work of plants and beneficial microbes. To do this, the pond provides a bathing area and a filtration area for plants. The filtration zone is actually the swamp part of our water zone, and just like in nature, it is this one that guarantees the purity of the entire reservoir. This zone should occupy at least 50 percent of the total area of ​​the water surface of the pond.
If you have noticed, then in nature there are almost no tiny reservoirs with a consistently clean surface of water - they quickly overgrow or silt. Natural stable biological balance can be achieved in ponds from 100 sq.m. Smaller ponds require more of our attention as they their biological balance is precarious. Therefore, these ponds include a skimmer and UV sterilizer to keep them clean, but still offer a chemical-free bathing area and support aquatic plant growth.


It is useful to add a small waterfall, stream or fountain to the pond for regular enrichment of water with oxygen. Although, for the same purpose, you can use an aerator.

How is pond water purified?

You can see that the process of filtering water in a pond is not complicated:
1. Water from the swimming area flows into the regeneration area.
2. Water circulates back to the bathing area.

Through the drainage pipes under the plant roots in the regeneration area or/and after the skimmer, the water is pumped through the UV sterilizer to the waterfall, stream or to the bottom of the swimming area. The pipe that goes to the bottom of the swimming area is slightly raised above the bottom so that the flow of water prevents the formation of silt at the bottom.

What should be the shape of the pond.

The bowl of the pond looks more like a soup bowl with large rims than a bathtub. The height difference should be about 30 cm for each meter of depth. It is this shape of the pond bowl that ensures the stability of the walls. The figure shows a cross section of a pond with a plant and bathing area:

After compaction of the surface layer of soil in the pit, geotextiles and a hermetic liner are laid on the bottom of the pond. In the plant zone - drainage pipes and gravel. In order to separate the swimming zone from the plant zone, a small hillock is formed - its top is 3 cm lower from the water surface. It can be made from sandbags or gravel. The mound allows water from the swimming area to pass into the plant area, where the water is filtered by the plant roots, and at the same time protects the plants from fluctuations in the water of the swimming area.


This design of the pond will allow you to conveniently clean the swimming area without affecting the plant area. In addition to purifying the water, the shallow water warms up quickly and serves as a habitat for frogs and other invertebrates, you will appreciate their benefits when they start eating mosquito larvae.

In order to mimic the natural contours of a pond, use a combination of different profiles for its shore. If you have plants on pond terraces, it is better to do this in pots so that they can be easily removed when cleaning the pond.

What size pond is suitable for our site?
The optimal size of the pond is 1/10 of the area of ​​\u200b\u200byour site.

How about mosquitoes?
One of the first questions that arises at the word “pond with your own hands” is mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water, while the water in the pond will never be static, so mosquitoes will find it unattractive for their habitat. Even if at some point they appear, the frog pond ecosystem will reduce their population to a minimum.


Why make a pond in the country?
Do-it-yourself pond people make this decision because they want to see their pond as a beautiful part of the landscape design and still have a clean, inviting place to swim on a hot day.
Can I keep fish in the swimming pond?
Unfortunately, fish, on the one hand, eats beneficial microflora with pleasure, on the other hand, it is a carrier of pathogenic bacteria, so there should not be fish in the baths.


Is it possible to make a sandy beach on a pond?
The best solution for entering the pond is walkways or stairs. For a beach entrance to the water, you need enough space, because. the angle of entry into the water is small. In addition, the sand quickly silts up - those beaches that we see are often simply trampled down to sand, most of the pond shore is usually densely overgrown with plants.

Should I swim with frogs?
Yes, frogs are full-fledged and important inhabitants of the pond. Additionally, to purify the water in the pond, it is good to have double-winged toothless shells or barley, which filter water up to 40 liters per day. You can also get snails (coils, livebearers) - they eat dead plants and clean the pond well.

Which the best place for the pond?
It is better to place the pond away from the trees, because. falling, the leaves will rot in the pond. Moreover, growing roots can damage the waterproofing film or tilt the finished container. The illumination of the site should be about 5 hours in the morning, and the rest of the time it should be in partial shade. The pond does not need large illumination. leads to increased formation of algae and overheating of water in the reservoir.

What to do with the pond in winter?
In winter, the pond, like natural reservoirs, freezes. You don't need to drain it. For the winter it is necessary to remove all equipment from the pond (pumps, filters, skimmers).

Does the type of soil affect the creation of a pond?
No, the composition of the soil does not affect. There is a misconception that it is good when the groundwater level is high. In fact, ground water at the level of freezing, rather a problem. Freezing, the ice can bulge the bottom of the pond. It is especially problematic if the pond is made on the basis of a rigid finished form.

Do-it-yourself pond from a film.

The main question when creating a pond: how to make it waterproof. There are several types of pond waterproofing - film, clay castle, concrete and rigid installation.

Rigid mold installation is a simple and durable method, but they usually come in small sizes up to 3.5 square meters. meters. Their service life is 10-50 years.

Waterproofing with concrete is the most expensive, in addition, it needs additional treatment with a frost-resistant agent and liquid glass to protect it from frost.

A clay castle is the cheapest in terms of materials, but the most labor-intensive. In order to waterproof the pit with clay, the compacted soil is covered with wood ash or soot. Then a 15 cm layer of clay dough is applied to the walls, compacted. When the layer dries, a second 30 cm is applied. When the layer is almost dry, crushed stone is poured on it, slightly pressing into the layer.

The optimal solution for the construction of ponds with an area of ​​more than 5-6 sq.m. - film waterproofing.


How much film is needed for the pond:
Film length= pond length + 2 pond depth + 50 cm margin for fasteners.
Film width= width of the pond + 2 depth of the pond + 50 cm margin for fasteners.

The film is produced in widths from 2 to 10 m, length 10-50 m. Knowing your needs, you can choose the optimal roll. The film is bought before digging the pit, this will allow you to cover it immediately when the pit is ready, preventing its edges from shedding.
What kind of film to choose for the pond.
PVC film for a pond is cheaper, but eventually destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, its service life is 8-10 years.
Butyl rubber sheeting is more expensive, but has both UV and cold protection. The service life of such a film is 50 years.

Do-it-yourself pond construction photo.

Do-it-yourself pond begins with marking the pit. The curved shape can be marked with a hose. We remove the sod along the coastline and take out the soil on the bayonet - this will be the line of the swamp zone, then the next level of the earth is taken out inside the resulting border, and so on. As a result, our terraces will be 50 cm wide with slopes of 20 cm. When the pond pit is ready, all hard objects that can damage the film: stones, roots, etc. , remove. We level and ram the walls and bottom of the pit.

Before work, the film is laid for several hours in a sunny place so that it warms up and becomes more elastic. Laying the film is done in warm weather. Overlapped geotextile or felt sheets are laid on the compacted pit, they are needed to protect the waterproofing film from protruding roots and stones over time.


A waterproofing film is spread on top of the geotextile with a margin of 50 cm along the edges of the pit. The edges are temporarily fixed with stones. The film is allowed to sag a little, smoothing and leveling it according to the shape of the pit.


The foil inside the swimming area can be protected with dry stacked stones.


Gravel or sand bags can be used instead of stones. But keep in mind that it is more convenient to take care of a pond with film walls. - it is easier to clean it from silt and mud.

In portions, the pit is poured with water, removing air bubbles from under the film.

When the pond is completely filled with water, the ends of the film are securely fixed in a trench, which is made at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the pit. In a trench 20 cm deep, the edges of the film are wrapped in a roll and covered with stones and pebbles.

We make a pond with our own hands. Shore decoration.

After you have made a pond with your own hands, before you start decorating the shore, you need to pour plenty of water on it and wait 2-3 days, because. shrinkage is possible. In addition, during this time, the water in the pond will settle.
We mask the film on the shore with rubble, stones, snags. We plant plants in shallow water. The pond needs plants that saturate the water with oxygen. There are many suitable plants - reeds, meadowsweet, iris, bathing suit, marigold, arrowhead. Any plant that grows on the shore of a natural pond will work for your pond. Don't forget about algae, like hornwort, which just floats in the water. Deciduous ornamental shrubs are best planted behind marsh grasses, which are planted directly on the shore.


Additional charm is added to the pond backlight.


Floating flower beds look seductive on the surface of the pond.


Pond safety.

If there are very young children in the family, then perhaps the construction of the pond should be postponed until they are older. It is necessary to consider visiting the pond by the elderly and school-age children. Make a convenient ladder for entering the pond, don't forget to clean it so it doesn't get slippery! All other sides of the pond, except for the entrance, are best covered with plants.

Pond care.

The new pond will take on its natural form throughout the year - while it will form its ecosystem. The small world of your pond is very vulnerable. The pond may quickly heat up or freeze, the water may evaporate, or the pond may overflow after rain. This puts a strain on aquatic life that cannot instantly transition to a safer, more stable environment.


Therefore, your pond, like any living organism, requires care. On a hot day, you need to add water, collect garbage that floats on the surface with a net, check whether the plants have grown or perhaps something has not taken root and must be annoyed. However, a surprising number of life forms will colonize your new pond, they will quickly explore new waters and stay if conditions suit them.

The quiet splash of water is the most enchanting melody of a hot summer, water bewitches, attracts and seduces us with a playful play of light, transparent depth and life-giving coolness. A handmade pond will give your cottage a special charm.