Contents
Focused thinking is one of the best ways to make an informed decision. But it is not always possible due to distractions. It is best to think about something surrounded by greenery or by a pond or stream. You can create such an individual corner for yourself by building an artificial reservoir in the country. He will always delight the eyes of your family. There are several options for how it can be built and what materials to use for this. In fact, it can be much cheaper than it seems offhand.
Choose a place
Having a small pond near one’s own house is not traditionally folk. Rather, it was borrowed from neighbors. Muslims and Chinese have long known the benefits of contemplation and observation near a pond. The first preferred to have fountains and small ponds of the correct form in their closed courtyards. Most often, a circle or an oval was chosen for a reservoir. And they placed the reservoir in a place that was always in sight. Eastern sages preferred not to disturb the harmony of nature, so they repeated its lines and did not accept artificial contours. Chinese parks are reminiscent of pristine but well-groomed nature.
The reservoirs that were located in such gardens could hardly be called small. In some cases, it was easy to move around the reservoirs by boat. A mandatory attribute, which was placed above the water, was a small bridge in the form of an arch, which was entangled with various plants. Ponds are also present in Japanese traditions. Those who have visited Japan at least once may have been surprised by the size of housing and other premises. This nation has always gravitated towards minimalism. Therefore, reservoirs and various ponds reflect this feature. They are small, but refined and memorable.
To set the right mood for a pond in the country, you need to think about where and how it will be located. To do this, you need to take the tool in which you are used to writing down your ideas or thoughts and write down a few points:
- on which side of the yard is the sun predominantly during the day;
- is there a site without trees;
- what territory is available for the reservoir;
- will there be fish in the pond;
- what vegetation would be good to place in the pond;
- Is it planned to expand the reservoir in the future;
- is it possible to bring electricity to the pond;
- whether a recreation area is planned near the reservoir.
Light is good and should be enough, but not too much near the pond. A pond is a great place for the growth and development of algae. They make a positive contribution to the overall ecosystem of the reservoir, but when there are too many of them, then less oxygen will be contained in the water, and this will have a negative effect, for example, on fish. It is also not very pleasant to contemplate the green surface of the reservoir instead of the clean one. That is why it is worth choosing such a site for a reservoir that will be endowed with sunlight for no more than 6 hours for the whole day. In addition to the development of algae, this will entail rapid evaporation of water from the pond. This will also negatively affect vegetation, living creatures and the budget, since the water in the pond will have to be constantly topped up.
The trees provide shade, and you can relax in it on a sweltering day. It is also important for the pond, but you will need to choose the right distance from the pond to the plants. If this is not foreseen in advance, then the reservoir will have to be constantly cleaned from falling leaves and branches. Such waste will settle to the bottom of the pond and cause putrefactive processes, which will adversely affect the reservoir. Another disadvantage of the proximity of trees or shrubs to the reservoir is their roots. As you know, they always reach for moisture. And there are a lot of them in the pond. Therefore, the root system can damage the waterproofing of the reservoir. It can be difficult to notice right away, but the water from the pond will decrease at a high rate, which will create additional problems for the reservoir and the owner.
Size is an individual choice. Everything will depend on your preferences. The larger the reservoir, the more effort will have to be made to bring it to mind. But a larger pond can look much more interesting, around it you can ennoble the area for relaxation with a gazebo or sun loungers. Choose a place for the location of the pond, which is clearly visible from the window, then you can enjoy it not only on the street. If trees and bushes are not reflected in the water of the pond, then it will always be possible to see the sky with passing clouds in it.
Consider a pond filtration system. You can always clean the pond manually, but if it is possible to implement, then why not do it. But an additional problem for such a pond is the power supply system. Consideration needs to be given to whether materials will be available to lay the line and whether it will withstand the required load. The reservoir may not be single-level, but with a slide from which water will flow. For such a solution, you will also need a pump.
In this case, there should be a hole in the pond with a location below the freezing level of the soil. This is where the fish will be able to hide for the cold period. Its volume should be at least one fifth of the total volume of the pond.
Choose a style
The resolved issue with the location of the pond does not automatically solve the problem of landscaping and choosing the style of the reservoir. In order to determine the appearance of the future reservoir, it is necessary to analyze several points:
- what form fits better into the overall exterior;
- whether there will be strict lines in it;
- should its banks be above the ground surface;
- Will it have multiple levels?
At the stage of determining the style of the reservoir, it is worth considering the vegetation for the pond. Each plant has its own niche and is adapted to the specific depth of the pond. There are plants that are designed for the fact that the depth of the pond will be no more than 40 cm. They are also called vegetation of the coastal zone. Others will need more space and a depth of up to 1 m. Such plants are also called shallow water. Anything deeper than 1 meter is called a deep sea plant. If you want all of the listed types to be present, then you will have to take care of the stepped style of the bottom.
All natural water bodies tend to self-purify. Even the most polluted pond, which has a certain degree of fluid circulation, is able to wash or recycle the debris and harmful substances that enter it. But for this, such a reservoir will have to be left alone, sometimes for decades. The same system should be in an artificial pond. To do this, you need to properly balance everything that will be in the pond. It is important to remember that plants should not occupy an area of more than 50% of the reservoir, otherwise the living creatures may die, and the water will deteriorate its properties.
If the house and yard are made with strict lines in the high-tech style, then a regular look of the pond will be an excellent solution. Such a reservoir implies regular geometric shapes, whether it be a square, rectangle, triangle or other polygon. When the yard has a variety of vegetation and is close to natural plantings, then it is worth considering a landscape pond. It does not have strict outlines. All lines of the reservoir have smooth bends and odds. The pond does not cause contradictions in perception. Someone prefers that the level of the reservoir does not coincide with the general level of the earth’s surface. Therefore, they are making efforts to make its banks somewhat higher. This approach makes it possible to install an additional fountain. Pay attention to the landscape that already exists. Perhaps it can be used to the maximum. For example, if the surface has some slope to one of the sides, then it will be very easy to organize a reservoir with several steps of drops.
Dealing with materials
The main task that lies in creating a pond is to keep water from going into the ground. Well, if the site already has a small natural pond. Such a reservoir is easy to ennoble and turn into a delightful place. You do not have to worry that you will need to fill the pond with some frequency. But if it comes to creating a reservoir from scratch, then you can use the following materials:
- cast iron or metal bath;
- plastic barrel;
- special ready-made plastic containers;
- pouring the area with concrete;
- ordinary polyethylene film;
- platform paved with stone.
As you can see, for a pond or other body of water, you can use any containers that are in household use, but have already lost their need. Each type of pond requires a different approach during implementation, but there are a lot of similar principles in the process of building a reservoir. Next, options for reservoirs will be considered, which can be made step by step with your own hands in the country or in a country house. Photos of examples of such reservoirs will be given in order to more clearly imagine how such beauty can look like.
Implementation Options
In preparation for work on the manufacture of a reservoir, it is worth acquiring a tool that will be needed in each case:
- shovel bayonet and shovel;
- a wheelbarrow for the removal of soil;
- Master OK;
- roulette;
- tamper manual, petrol or electric.
In order to complete all the work on organizing the pond on time and with high quality, you will have to stock up on considerable patience. Not everything can go in the work of preparing the surface of the pond the way you want it. The process may require changes depending on how the soil turns out.
Using the finished container
A pond for a summer residence is easy to make using special containers that are commercially available. The material for them can be PVC plastic or polypropylene. Each of them is resistant to corrosion, so you don’t have to worry that the pond will not last long. The positive side of such products for the reservoir is also maintainability. If by negligence the bottom of the reservoir is damaged, then it is easy to solder it, and the pond will regain its beauty. Ready-made pond containers can be of various sizes and shapes. Their capacity ranges from several tens of liters to several tons of water.
Difficulties can arise only with transportation. If the pond is really large, then loading equipment will be needed both for transportation and for subsequent installation. One of the most difficult stages of work on the installation of such a reservoir will be earthworks. The fact is that a pit for such a reservoir must be dug close to the shape of the container. The depth of the pit should be such that the container is flush or slightly flush. Often the edges of such bathtubs are not designed to create a reservoir that will be above ground level. After the bowl is put in place of the future reservoir, it must be leveled. To do this, several bubble levels are placed on the edges and sprinkled under the bottom to achieve an ideal result. Additional information on the installation of such a reservoir for a reservoir can be gleaned from the video:
For this, a layer of crushed stone from the middle fraction is laid. The height of the formation is 20 cm. Sand is poured on top with the same layer and is well rammed.
When the position of the reservoir tank is set, then the bedding is made of sand of medium grain size. The pit of the reservoir should be somewhat wider so that you can compact the sand under the steps, if any. Otherwise, under the weight of water, they will simply break. Additionally, sand can be moistened with water so that it fills all the voids. Desired plants are planted around the pond. Before launching fish into the pond, it is necessary to let the plants get used to the water, as well as the pond to collect the necessary trace elements.
Application of polyethylene film
Making a reservoir using polyethylene or PVC film can be a more time-consuming task than the previous option. The fact is that the pond pit will need to be formed independently. To do this, before starting work, it is necessary to outline the territory of the future reservoir. To make this easier, an outline is created from several shapes, such as circles or rectangles. In places where their lines will touch, the required shape of the reservoir is displayed. To do this, you can use white sand, flour or grated chalk. They stand out perfectly against the background of grass and darker bend.
In the process of earthworks for the pond, it will be necessary to compact the side walls. To do this, they can be rammed with a special tool. Subsequently, this will help to more accurately lay the film for the pond. If you are wondering which material will last longer, then from polyethylene you can count up to 5 years, PVC film will last 10 years or longer. The leader for reservoirs is butyl rubber. A sheet product made from this material will allow you to forget about the need for maintenance or repair work in a reservoir for 50 years, but it is also higher in cost.
You can take products of various sizes, because with the help of special glue they are easy to connect in one plane.
After the pond pit is ready, you can lay the film. It should repeat all the intended contours. It can be difficult to find pieces of exactly the size you need. In this case, it will be sufficient to provide an overlap of 50–70 cm between adjacent components. After that, they are glued with a special waterproof compound. Under the pressure of the pond water, the seam will not open. You can ennoble the bottom and edges so that the film is not visible using large pebbles or small pebbles. Someone prefers to mount a special wooden platform around the perimeter, on which it is convenient to relax and which hides all the flaws of the pond. There is more information in the video on the installation work of such a pond:
concrete pond
The concrete base for a pond is one of the most difficult projects to implement. It will require additional waste for concrete components, as well as additional equipment for mixing. But such a pond will be suitable not only for fish, but also for swimming. The pit is made in the same sequence as described above. It is worth starting from the walls, and deepening towards the middle, so it will be more convenient to excavate. After that, all surfaces of the future pond are well rammed. Concrete has pores, so water can gradually seep out of it. To prevent this from happening, you will need to take care of the waterproofing for the pond.
For these purposes, one of the types of substrate, which was mentioned in the previous versions, is suitable. The film for the pond is carefully laid out along the contour with an overlap on the upper side of 60 cm. Further, a framework for the pond is made from metal reinforcement. Well, if it repeats the shape of the walls. The cells in the grid must be in increments of 10 centimeters or less. After laying the base of the pond, a solution is prepared. For each bag of cement, 200 kg of sand will be needed, a filler in the form of fine gravel is used when laying the bottom. The required consistency of concrete for the pond should be similar to very thick sour cream. If it is thinner, then it will simply flow down.
If the stere is planned with an angle greater than 45 degrees, then formwork will need to be installed, which will serve as a support for the concrete until it hardens. First of all, the walls of the pond are poured. The initial layer should not exceed 7 cm. Leveling is carried out using a trowel and other tools. After that, the bottom is laid. The entire perimeter must be laid with the first layer as quickly as possible so that after curing it forms one large pond container. If these conditions are not met, cracks will appear, and the water will leave.
After hardening, another layer of concrete for the pond is laid. It will give additional strength so that nothing collapses under the weight. After a full set of strength, the surface of the future pond requires additional processing. To do this, you can use bituminous mastics, but they can be quite toxic, but liquid glass is an ideal contender. The surface of the pond is cleared of debris in the form of residues of concrete, sand and dust. To strengthen the top layer, a primer is applied. Several layers may be required. After the walls of the pond have dried, liquid glass is applied. Its layer should be at least 3 cm. Upon completion of all work, you can begin to fill and ennoble. To see visually the installation process of such a pond, watch the video:
We use an old bathtub and a barrel
If you have recently replaced an old bath with a new one, then you should not write off the first one and rush to turn it in for metal. It will be an ideal basis for organizing a small pond. You can position it in several ways. For example, it may be part of a cascading pond. It can also be drowned in the ground, as is the case with a purchased plastic container. From the bath it is easy to make a pond with raised banks. To do this, it should not be dug in, but rather beautifully decorated and decorated. Around it, you can impose a small hill of stone, which will close the side walls. It is better to treat the outer part with a special primer so that the metal does not suffer from rust.
The barrel pond has the same installation algorithm. The only condition is not to use iron barrels for the reservoir. They break down very quickly and you can subsequently get hurt about them. If you decide to do this, then take care of several layers of anti-corrosion coating.
Plants
Building a pond is only half the process. It is necessary to choose the right plants for the pond. Their goal is not only to please the eye. It is important to understand that all vegetation for a reservoir can be classified into one of the following categories:
- for oxygenation;
- for water purification;
- decorative.
Increasing the level of oxygen in the reservoir is of great importance not only for the plants themselves, but also for living creatures. In a pond, such plants usually settle in the water column, only slightly showing their petals or flowers above the surface. The choice may fall on one of them: urut, fontinalis, turcha, pondweed, swamp, elodea, swamp and others. They need soil. Therefore, in order to place them in a pond, it is first necessary to plant them in flowerpots. It is better to do this in May, when the weather is already quite warm. Among this group there are also plants for the reservoir, which will ensure its purity. This, for example, can be hornwort or calamus. An excellent view in the coastal zone of the reservoir will be created by cattail and marigold.
More attractive are deep-water floating plants for the reservoir, which are admired by everyone who finds themselves at the pond or lake. These can be various types of water lilies, two-eared aponogeton, brazenia, floating pondweed and others. Large leaves of such plants reduce the temperature of the water. They provide shade and block the penetration of sunlight. Their landing in a reservoir should be approached wisely. From time to time, such plants for the reservoir will have to be thinned out. They quickly grow and fill the space.
Service
An artificial reservoir will not be able to fully maintain the purity of the water on its own, so efforts from the owner will be required. For example, someone uses purchased filters in order to rid the water of harmful impurities. Others prefer to build such a product for the reservoir on their own. To do this, a drainage pump must be placed at the bottom. It can be stainless steel or cast iron. Periodically, he must drive water through a barrel in which filter materials will be laid in several layers. Gravel, pebbles, sand, charcoal and activated charcoal can be used as the latter for a reservoir. A video on making a pond filter is shown below.
In summer, special care for the pond is not necessary. It will be enough to free the reservoir from the captivity of algae in the form of threads that can grow rapidly, as well as add water. In autumn, it will be necessary to catch fallen leaves and branches from the reservoir with great frequency. In the spring, dried stems and branches of plants are cut. In late winter, when things are getting warmer, you can remove the top crust of ice and take it out of the reservoir. It accumulates a large amount of harmful substances. Additionally, aerators may be required for the pond. They can be made from rotating blades or hoses can be laid on the bottom with bottles at the ends, in which many small holes will be made. After that, air is supplied by the compressor to saturate the reservoir with oxygen. Video instructions for making a bottom aerator for a pond are given below:
Conclusion
Creating your own pond at some points can be a very difficult, but quite interesting task. It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of a pond near the house. It is near such a reservoir that you can spend unforgettable minutes with your loved one or family members. The pond does not have to be huge, a small pond will also please the eye.