Small pond project

Hi, after many weeks looking on EBay for a cheap garden pond ive managed to pick one up,

I was told the pump might work if it was cleaned up but would sooner buy a new one any recommendation's please, I'm unsure how many litres the pond holds its a funny shape 42/52 inch, I don't want to spend a fortune initially I wasn't even thinking about a pump but I only paid £25 for the whole setup so don't mind spending on a pump,

Setting the pond in the ground what's recommended so I don't have air pockets dig it roughly then back fill with sand ?,

Fish, I don't want anything special cheap and cheerful goldfish and ? how many fish would be suitable for this small pond,

Plants, I want to see in the pond in places but not totally covered so something that doesn't spread to much but looks nice,

I'm quite sure I will have other questions in the near future if ive missed anything please let me know, thanks in advance for any information.

 

This one - Pontec 1000 pump - a budget model - low wattage and has 4 different fountain heads. Have a look in my latest gallery and you can see it in action

 

Thank you, looking more into it I need to know how many litres the pond holds, I can get it set in place then measure how much water it takes when I fill it up, I will have to keep the pump on hold for the time being.
Top 20 Pond Pump Tips To help You Choose Your Pump Well

 

Would think your pond is about 500lts - see Bradshaws Direct

That looks a load of equipment for a few fish ....

Depends on what you are trying to achieve, but ponds with goldfish mean you have less chance of wildlife gaining a foothold.

You could just go natural , no pumps or fish but an array of water and marginal plants etc and let with wildlife move in.

Use the modern biological products to keep the water clear , partic in the first year or so.

 

Thanks ricky, I think you've hit the nail on the head, main reason I wanted a pond is for wildlife give my grandkids some interest, I will have to have a rethink,

Maybe do away with the filter buy a good solar pump so I have the sound of running water when its nice weather might be the best way to go.

 

I only installed my pond for the sound of falling water . No plans at the moment for any plants or fish - although I've built it with shelves at different depths in case I do decide to go for aquatic plants.

I too looked at solar fountains but I decided they didn't have enough 'grunt' :exhausted:to generate the type of fountain I was looking for.

My pump is there to generate a fountain - nothing else - it doesn't filter the water (which I think is why some pumps quote the litre size of the pond) - if you want a fountain, it doesn't really matter how large the water source is. The only thing to look out for is the height of the fountain and the width of the pond - the wind will blow a high fountain off course and gradually empty the pond and soak the surrounding area .

 

Thank you clanless, that's all want the sound, I guess I can go with the plug type might be best tbh I can switch it on when I want, I have power close by so its no issue.

Pond nearly in place just need to go and pick some sand up and level it up, when I stop dripping with sweat from digging.

 

Clearly neither of you have a bladder problem !

If you are wanting wildlife be sure to put some logs, stones or similar on the ponds shelves so they can get in and out easily and also perch there.

Its surprising where frogs , toads, newts just appear from nowhere and the birds and hedgehogs etc enjoy using it as well, just add some aquatic and boarder plants and you have an amazing feature that will last for years.

 

Lol on the bladder problem, thanks for the advice, ive saved a few rocks for a rockery at the side of it, I will add rocks in the corners for birds to bath and wildlife to climb in and out,

Still work in progress but this is the type of thing I'm trying to achieve need a few more rocks for the rockery, sand and cement some crazy paving to neaten the edges, a few plants and a pump set the water fall and hand pump in place and leave it to mature and blend in .

 

Looks Great !

Are you going to add a few discreet lights ?

Expect you will be going around the shops looking for aquatic plants, but no idea who in the Sheffield area has such stock these days, a while since I left there.

Some of the Wye Vale centers used to carry pond plants though it might be easier to order a pond pack online eg Pond Starter Packs

Also this is the current version of the pond clearing product I used to use and found very effective
Viresco Aqua 2.5g Pond Clear Including Free Nitrate Test Strips £8.95 From Mr Fothergills Seeds

 

Thank you ricky, I might as well add some lights ive got them everywhere else


There's a water garden centre quite near to me half hour drive I was going to call tomorrow and see what they have,
Pond Supplies, Pond Pumps and Filters, Pond Air Pumps and Pond Lighting, Nottinghamshire, UK

I popped in recently only to realise it was all pond stuff as a kid it was a flower garden centre, I will have a look for the pond cleaner and see if they do plant packs,

I spilt some mud and sand in the pond while installing it I was going to syphon it out use the hose pipe as a hover would I be best leaving it do you think,

Many thanks for your help and advice its a big help.

 

I've been out and bought this lot this morning, just going to put plants in.

 

Some nice plants, the forget me not is a fast grower once established.

Water Mint is another fast one and Caltha, aka yellow buttercup is a bright spring addition, well worth growing even though it does not look like much now.

The mud and sand, not worried by the mud, but how much sand and what type did you use ?

The big diy places building sand is one to avoid, and now their sharp sand is also very alkaline so it could rocket the waters ph, which might not suit all plants ( as I found to my cost when I added some to the garden soil)

Any way of testing the waters ph, typically around ph 8 from the taps, or might be just simpler to drain and refill ... if you do, always easier on the plants if you leave it overnight rather than plunge them into cold water, also allows all the chlorine to disperse.

 

Thanks again ricky, it was builders sand, only a little bit got in so I'm hoping it will be ok as the plants are in now, if they die ill have to buy some more, the lily was the main expense other plants was cheap, I will look at your suggestions next time I go many thanks,

I'm just setting the waterfall in and ill get the pump up and running.