Step 1 – Prepare your pond
Use a garden hose or rope to lay out the shape you prefer. The depth of the hole should be a least 450mm. Remember the deeper the better, as a larger volume will help maintain a more stable temperature for plants and fish. A deeper pond will help prevent water from freezing in colder areas or overheating in hotter areas. Taper the sides of the pond at the recommended angle of 15° (for smaller ponds taper the sides at a steeper 30° to get a depth of at least 300mm). Create shelves at different depths to accommodate the needs of aquatic plants. We recommend about 200mm wide. Make sure these shelves are not too deep as you need to allow sunlight to reach the plants. Refer to figure 1.
Make sure the top of the pond is level. We recommend you have an shelf area in the deepest part of the pond to position the pump filter. The shelves in the pond should be relatively flat for locating water plants etc. Create a small trench around the perimeter of the pond approximately 100mm wid and 150mm from the edge. Clear sharp objects, eg wild tree roots, from the excavated area. As added protection we recommend you install a Southland Liner protector.
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Step 2 – Liner Installation
Carefully relocate the Southland pond liner over the excavated area. Push it carefully into position making sure there is sufficient overlap of the liner over the sides. Remove shoes when standing on the liner material. Hold the liner temporarily in position using bricks or timber (Figure 2)
Step 3 – Fill the pond
Fill with water slowly. Allow the water to help position the Southland liner. Some folding wrinkles of the liner will be experienced. With care these can be minimised. Most will disappear on not be noticed. As you fill with water, work larger wrinkles out. Adjust the position of the liner only in the earlier stages (while there is little water). Leave the filled pond for 48 hours, noting the water level to make sure the pond is leak-proof (Figure 3)
Step 4 – Finishing
Finish off your pond to suit your tastes. Avoid cement coming into contact with the water without first sealing the concrete. Always check on the suitability of any material which may affect aquatic plants or pond fish. Your aquatic dealer can provide information. Ensure paving slabs overlap the pond by 50mm to hide and protect the edge of the liner. Avoid placing sharp decorations in the liner without protection.
Suggested paving method involves forming the Southland liner and protector, if fitted, into the excavated trench and filling the trench as shown with smooth river gravel or sand. Use of additional Southland protective matting between the gravel/sand and liner is recommended for both under the Southland liner and on top of the liner (under pavers, gravel and rockes etc.) Pavers (approximately 400mm x 400mm) can be used to cover and provide a pleasant pond edge (Figure 4).
To provide a gravel ‘beach’ type area, a small reidge should be used below the water level to prevent the gravel rolling into the pond. This system gives easy access for wildlife while protecting the liner from damage (Figure 5)
A rockery that goes right into the water can be achieved by the method shown in Figure 6. We recommend the use of a layer of Southland protective matting between the rocks and the liner
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See a pond construction sequence and the beautiful end result by clicking here.