A pond is a lovely element that can increase the value of both residential and commercial properties. However, a pond cannot just be dug up anywhere. It requires an in-depth knowledge of how nature functions and how humans are built to coexist with it.

An effective backhoe rental is the most effective technique for digging a pond. With the aid of this equipment, you may swiftly and precisely excavate a beautiful pond area.

The process could seem difficult if you have never constructed a pond before. There are some regulations when digging a hole as well.

However, if you adhere to some of the advice, you’ll be able to design and construct your backyard pond.

Outline pond shape 

We advise you to first lay out the shape of your pond using a rope before you start digging it out. By doing this, you can eliminate any problems, make sure the pond is in good shape, and determine how much room it will require in your landscaping before you start digging. 

It’s preferable to keep your pond away from dense vegetation and overhanging trees when deciding where to put it. The decreased likelihood of leaves and other debris falling into your pond will make pond maintenance simpler.

Mark the work area

Mini Excavator. Excavator digs the foundation for the house.

Use a measuring tape and a map to ensure you’re laying your pond correctly. Even though the backhoe operator can see the stakes more quickly because of the orange tape, you should still use a spotter. The spotter will ensure that the digging is done accurately in terms of placement and depth and will assist in guiding the backhoe operator throughout the job.

Clear the surface

Start by using the backhoe’s tines to smooth the pond area’s surface. As a result of the initial sweep, the site will be free of grass, shrubs, pebbles, and other detritus, allowing you to operate on a cleared patch of dirt. If there are any builders or other significant obstacles in your path, you’ll probably find them during this scan. 

After that, you can devise a strategy for handling any significant issues you’ve discovered. It’s considerably simpler to picture your future moves once the pond area’s surface is clean. After this crucial initial pass, the backhoe operator will better understand the project. 

digging a hole

Start digging

You can start digging whenever you’re satisfied with the size and location of the future pond you sketched. Ensure the area is proper since once you start this phase (without having to patch your grass), there is no turning back. Beginning at the outside edge, dig inside while making sure to create sloping rather than vertical edges.

To allow residues to be forced into the pump at the deep end, you should dig your pond with a slope of 1:10 degrees. Make sure your pond is within the capacity of your pump because its depth can alter its volume. 

How deep should I dig my pond?

Different pond depths are suitable depending on the type of animals and safety considerations. In the end, deeper ponds are preferable, but hidden impediments often prevent you from getting the depth you want.

Consider an above-ground or partially elevated pond to give the necessary depth if the ground is challenging to excavate. Raised ponds also serve to sit and enjoy the wildlife’s antics.

We suggest a minimum depth of 50cm for straightforward nature ponds, 75cm for goldfish ponds, and 1.2m for koi ponds. 

Deeper ponds will work better since they can hold more oxygen, with the maximum concentration always at the bottom. 

This oxygen will make it easier for trash and slit to break down aerobically. In winter, fish can rest closer to the bottom of deeper ponds because the water there is somewhat warmer than the surface, providing a more comfortable environment for semi-hibernation. 

Add plant shelves

You can start constructing the plant shelves that will hold your plants once the pond has been filled with water. Except for the point of water return, you can dig planting shelves around the perimeter without disrupting the water flow and pushing plant residues into the pond. 

A pond basket should be able to rest comfortably on the planting shelves without the risk of falling further into the pond, with the top of the basket resting around 2-3cm below the water’s surface. 

Deep pit in the ground. In the pit lies a shovel. Digging a hole.

Install pond underlay

You can start preparing your pond for filling if you’re satisfied with the general design of your pond and you’ve put plant shelves where you desire. However, you must first set your pond liner and underlay.

Start by ensuring the area where the pond underlay will be laid is free of sharp objects, including stones. 

Pond underlay will typically extend the life of the liner, even if it isn’t always necessary, especially in regions of the pond that receive little weight (such as the sides). You can add a layer of sand beneath the pond underlay if your excavation area is challenging. Generally, we advise you to buy the same amount of underlay as a pond liner. 

Install pond liner

The pond liner is the next item. You can start lying over the top of the excavation once you are convinced that you have covered every spot that could endanger the pond liner. To avoid producing weak spots that could eventually cause the liner to fail, ensure the liner is laid uniformly over the excavation hole and that any wrinkles are neatly folded over. 

Take off your shoes if you must enter the hold to properly place the liner to reduce the possibility of doing so. To help you lay the liner correctly and eliminate creases, you can put a tiny quantity of water here. Make sure to leave at least a 50cm overlap on all sides. 

Fill the pond with water

You can start filling the pond once the pond liner has been adequately laid out. This should be done slowly since the liner may wiggle somewhat as the weight of the water pulls it into any cracks. To avoid this, pay special attention to all folds and pull and tuck the liner where necessary to leave a neat finish. 

Ideally, you should leave the pond overnight after it is filled to give it time to settle. Last but not least, you should trim away any extra material from the edges while leaving a 30 cm overlap around the parameter. 

The pond’s perimeter can then be adorned with pebbles to assist disguise any ugly pond liners and to help anchor the liner in place. 

Adding pond equipment

The equipment needed to maintain your water quality and make your pond habitable can be added after the rocks have been added to give your pond a final appearance. 

Your pond is fed filtered water at a specified rate since every pond needs a pump to deliver a reasonable flow rate. You should determine your required flow rate before selecting a pump. We suggest that your maximum flow rate be at least half of your pond volume as a general rule.

This is because to assist in maintaining ideal water conditions, water must be cycled throughout your pond at least every two hours. For instance, if your pond has a capacity of 4,000 liters, you should search for pumps with a maximum flow rate of at least 2000 liters per hour. 

In terms of your filter, you have a few options. However, a noteworthy distinction between the two will influence how you build your pond. If you want to use a box filter, you’ll need to ensure it is set up above the pond on a hill or platform because gravity, rather than pressured systems, feeds water back into the pond in these systems. 

The filter box will also require consideration because it can be large and detract from the natural appearance you want for the pond. You might choose a modest fence or cover the box with vegetation here.

The main benefits of using a pressured filter are that they can be installed at any elevation and can be buried up to 80% below the surface of the earth (filter rock coverings are available to completely conceal them). Each system, however, has advantages and disadvantages. 

Adding plants and fishes

Large orange Koi swim in a pond with lily pads.

When selecting new life for your pond, you should also consider the current situation. Is it overly crowded with rocks? Do they pose a threat to the algae?

Your pond will benefit significantly from adding plants and fish. They are eye-catching, energetic, and entertaining to look at. If you add them to your pond, ensure enough space for them to grow.

Find out how much space they require to move around. The fish will attack one another if they feel crowded. 

The main issue is that you’ll need to control the water much more than usual once you add fish and plants to the pond. You must ensure that the water you add is free of chlorine (more on this subject is covered later in the post), eliminate some hazardous algae, and maintain the water’s semi-clearness.