Installing a Preformed Pond: A Step-By-Step Guide

This step-by-step guide will walk you through installing a small pre-formed pond. Pre-formed ponds usually range in size from 3x2 foot to 6x5 foot. However, for an above ground water garden you can even use a large pot. This guide will deal only with installation of a small pre-formed pond in ground, in your yard.

Guide to Location

The first choices you need to make are location and size. You will need a sunny location that is far enough away from trees that you need not worry about tree roots. The amount of space you have available can play a large part in how big your pond can be. If you plan to have a waterfall with your pond, you will need at least an extra three feet available for the fall. You will also need a source of electricity for your pump.

Guide to Shopping

Now that you have found just the right spot for your new pond, it is time to go shopping. You can find pre-formed ponds in water garden stores, hardware stores, department stores, and on line. Prices for a kit start at around $100.00. Occasionally, you can find them on sale for less or even at a yard sale. Buying new, you will be assured to get most everything you need for installation and in working order; pump, tubing, and even a fountainhead may be included.

Guide to Installation

After you choose your pond and take it home, turn it upside down in the location you have chosen. Use flour to outline the shape of your pond. You will want approximately five inches of excess between the wall of the pond and the wall of dirt. Move the pond out of your way, grab your shovels and start digging. Save the dirt you dig out in a wheelbarrow.

Dig your hole at least three inches deeper than your pond. Don't forget the shelves in your pre-formed pond, if it has them. You will need to dig the hole around the shape of those shelves.

Once the hole is deep enough for your new pond, place the pond in the hole to check that the depth and shape match the shape of your pond and its shelves. It should sit at least three inches below ground level.

If you are satisfied with the shape, pull the pond back out and add a layer of sand in the bottom and on the shelves, at least four inches deep. Set the pre-formed pond back in the hole. The rim should now stand about an inch above ground. Check the levelness of the pre-formed pond. You can use a level, but if you don't have one, you can add a little water to the pond to see if you get a level cover of water. The sand will allow you to wriggle the pre-formed pond to adjust the level.

Mix the dirt you pulled out of the hole 50/50 with sand. Stir it together making sure there are no rocks left in the dirt. After you have all the rocks removed, you can begin to fill in around the side of the pre-formed pond. Fill your pre-formed pond at the same rate as you fill around the outer wall, about four-inch depth at a time. When this seems complete, water the dirt around the pond. If there is room for more fill dirt, you can add it now and then water it again, tamping it down as you go. Do not cram the dirt back into the sidewall; a gentle tamping will do, all the while watching that the water remains level.

Guide to Finishing Touches

After the backfill is done and the pond is full, you can border your pond with flat rocks, concrete pavers or whatever you choose. If you are going to have a waterfall, leave the border off where your fall will be. You can use the remainder of your dirt/sand mixture to mound for your waterfall. My recommendation for a waterfall is plastic pond liner. You can shape it any way you choose.

Set your pump into the pre-formed pond according to the instructions with your pump. Run the tube to the top of your waterfall and secure it with rocks. Plug-in your pump and watch the waterfall. Does it fall where you want it to? Does it have the sound you like? Does the water leak outside of the liner? You can make adjustments in the waterfall by moving the dirt around under the liner, until you have the desired effect. Border the waterfall with your chosen border material.

Guide to Adding Fish

Let your water sit overnight. If you are on a city water system, you will need a test kit to check for additives in your water. You will need to make sure that the pond is free of chlorine with a de-chlorinator and has a PH balance of 6.8 - 8.0. Then you can add plants and a few fish. When I set up a new pond, I always start with 3 - 5 feeder goldfish from the pet store. Some people report deaths of the first fish placed in the pond. However, I have never had that problem. Allow about three weeks of conditioning the pond, before adding fish that are more expensive.

Guide to Choosing Plants

For plants, you will need three types: floaters, bottom plants and bog plants or marginal plants. Some choice floaters might be Water lily, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Duckweed, and Parrots Feather. Bottom plant choices might be Fanwort or Hornwort. Marginal choices are almost limitless; my favorites are Water Iris, Pickerel Rush, Cardinal Flower and Water Hibiscus.

Guide to More information

For more information or ideas about building a pre-formed pond or a liner pond, see my earlier article Spring into Warm Weather with a Water Garden.

If you want to build a simple inexpensive bio-filter, you can find an excellent guide by clicking here.

If you follow the advice in this step-by-step guide to install your new pre-formed pond, you will be able to enjoy a water garden for years to come.