When considering all of the various pond options available, how do you know which landscape pond is the best DIY pond? There are so many options and so many features. The best way to choose a garden pond is to consider your needs, the amount of space available, and your skill level. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a garden pond:
If you plan on keeping lots of exotic or sensitive species, an indoor fish pond will be your best choice. Guppy pond systems work well for inexperienced hobbyists because they usually require only minimal maintenance, and their small size allows for more species to be kept inside. Smaller indoor ponds can also offer an ideal place for children and adults alike to play. However, they are not suitable for families with more active pets.
A small version of a guppy pond is called a Nano-pond. Like a miniature version of a guppy pond, it can be used as an indoor fish pond, but it does not have a filter. These types of systems can be used to water only one fish at a time. The downside is that they may not be as powerful as larger systems, so some aquatic plants may not survive.
An above ground, or ‘water garden’ is a great way to create interest in your yard. Because they come in all shapes and sizes, an indoor fish pond looks good almost anywhere. For a more modest sized design, a shallow-water garden will work. These can be as big as five gallons and as deep as twenty gallons. A small, shallow garden will look good almost anywhere, such as on top of a deck, patio, front yard, or even in an existing backyard garden. They can be quite expensive to install, though, so unless you are willing to purchase one made from high quality materials, a mini guppy pond will probably be your best option.
A bigger design is called a fish pond, which can be installed in an existing backyard garden or alongside a driveway. This is probably the most popular size of DIY pond. A fish pond is made with a similar design to a fish tank, so that all of the components fit together. You can install a basic heater to keep your water at a constant temperature, but you might want to consider installing a UV filter, too. Some fish pond systems include UV filters built into the system.
A medium-sized garden pond is another popular option. These can range in size from two to six gallons. You can install these indoors or outdoors. You can choose whether or not you will be using natural, spring-water, or chemically treated water. The pond can contain fish, as well as water birds and plants.
A large-sized garden pond is perfect for hobbyists or people who own sports teams. This is usually enough for a practice or game field. You could also install a filtering system, like a floating or air pump. This would filter the water and oxygenate it, so that you have cleaner water for your fish to swim in.
For the more adventurous DIY pond in a pot enthusiast, there is the option of constructing a custom pond. This requires skill and patience, because you will need to create the right shape and size, and install the right features. However, many people who are skilled at DIY projects have great success with this method, because they are able to design and build their own personalized ponds, that look as beautiful as those that you see on the Internet.