How to make a pond on your property with your own hands: step-by-step instructions. The main work of making a pond with your own hands. Sketch of How to make a small pond in the garden

How nice it is to spend time on a fine summer day on the shore of a picturesque forest lake, enjoying the coolness and beautiful views of aquatic vegetation. Knowing how to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands, you can arrange a similar corner on your own plot of land. You just need to decide on the design and clearly follow all the stages of work contained in the instructions given below.

Preparatory stage

Choosing a pond style

Before proceeding directly to construction, you should choose the design of the pond at the dacha - by going through many standard sketches and samples with your own hands, you can create a unique pond, adding individuality to it with the help of minor design changes or the use of additional decor.

Of course, the simplest option is a mini-pond made of tires, which, no matter what, will look great on a small summer cottage.

However, if you have enough space and you are not bothered by the price of materials and the cost of services for constructing a pond, you can make an excellent decorative pond from concrete, which will act as a central element of the landscape design of the entire site.

Advice!
Country houses made from block containers used as temporary housing can be converted into a bathhouse, for example, after the construction of a permanent structure.
In this regard, it is advisable to locate the reservoir not far from them, in order to subsequently organize a recreation area there, organically completing the entire ensemble.

When choosing a style for a pond, first of all, you need to take into account the architectural design that was used when building the house and laying out the garden.

OK, when small pond at the dacha - designed and built with your own hands - is combined with the following elements:

• coastline;
• design of garden paths;
• the appearance of small garden forms and so on.

A gazebo or terrace looks most appropriate near a pond, sitting on which you can comfortably contemplate the calm surface of the water.

Let's look at some points in more detail:

1. Stylistics. The peculiarities of the Japanese reservoir are stones of various sizes and shapes and conifers. This style does not accept the presence large quantity colorful herbs. The Chinese pond is decorated with brighter and lush vegetation. There must be trees and a classic convex bridge. You can also plant a pond with native plants, without various exotic specimens. This style is called “ethno-garden”.

1. Geometric shape. A strict rectangular or square pond looks good next to residential building, perfectly combined with its strict forms. In addition, this form is often used when arranging a reservoir in patio. Flower beds of the same shape and strict concrete paths organically complement the ensemble.

Advice!
Garden paths, regardless of the material used to make them, go well with ponds.
Looks organic terrace board, from which a bridge is made over the surface of the water or concrete slabs, as if floating above the surface.

Round ponds are suitable for decorating grassy lawns and neat ones. In this case, an additional element will be a pergola covered with ivy, as well as a separate group of low-growing trees.

It should be noted that it is easiest to build a round small pond at the dacha with your own hands. For this you can use many ready-made forms: from concrete rings for the well to the car tire already mentioned above.

Selection of location, size and material

The correct choice of the site where the reservoir will be located is the key to its normal functioning throughout the year. Otherwise, you may encounter a so-called bloom - a rapid proliferation of microscopic green algae that covers the water surface with an unaesthetic brown film.

• too much illumination leads to excessive development of harmful microorganisms in the water;
• Being in the shade negatively affects the growth of ornamental aquatic plants and the behavior of fish living in the pond.

The best option is lighting for 5-6 hours. The water surface should be open from the south. It is also inappropriate to arrange a pond in the shade of massive trees. The leaves falling from them will constantly clog the pond.

Perfect size for this hydraulic structure– 3% of the land area. However, not every summer resident is ready to donate such an amount of land for him. In addition, you need to remember that small country pond It’s easier and cheaper to make with your own hands than a vast lake.

As for depth, a three-stage system is most often used:

• coastal zone– for aquatic plants;
• shallow water zone - for growing water lilies and water lilies;
• deep zone - for wintering aquatic inhabitants (if their breeding is planned).

The maximum required depth is 180 cm. Below this level the soil does not freeze, which guarantees the presence of water under the ice layer in winter.

Note!
The deepest zone can occupy no more than 1/5 of the entire pond area.
This will be quite enough for the wintering of fish, and its increase will negatively affect the cost of work on arranging the reservoir.

Once you have decided on the size and shape, it's time to move on to choosing materials. The most expensive and reliable option is to cast a concrete bowl reinforced with metal rods or mesh. A little less expensive is to use a ready-made plastic container, which can be purchased at a hardware store.

However, the optimal and cheapest method is to make a pond using a special film that covers the bottom of the future pond.

Self-production

The sequence of actions for constructing a decorative hydraulic structure on a summer cottage is as follows:

1. As with any other construction, first of all, you should create a sketch of the future structure. When drawing, you must adhere to the selected scale. Reflect the size of the pond, its depth, the width of the shelves on which coastal plants will be planted, as well as the design of the future landscaping. With this approach, you can avoid alterations and changes during the construction process.
   It is also advisable to provide an accent detail - a tree, stone, bridge, sculpture or island, which will become the highlight of the landscape design element being developed.

1. The contour of the pond is best chosen locally. To outline it, you can use twine, a garden hose or sand. Remember that the opposite edges of the reservoir must be at the same level with each other.
   The bottom also needs to be made level. Measurements can be made using a special laser tool or an ordinary long board on which a building level is placed.

1. Digging a pit.
   The work should be done in the following sequence:

• • the soil is removed to the first depth mark;
  • a new line for deepening is marked;
  • digging the pit continues to the next level;
  • marking is done again;
  • a small depression is dug, necessary for wintering fish.

Excavation work is quite a labor-intensive task, especially if the size of the future pond is large. It is best to hire an excavator for this purpose. Otherwise, be prepared that at a certain stage of digging, groundwater will accumulate in the bottom area, and therefore you will have to work in semi-liquid mud.

To avoid this, you can use a water pump designed for pumping suspended matter. Dirt is dumped into an auxiliary pit.

Advice!
If on personal plot If there is no electricity, renting a diesel generator for your dacha will help you.
This unit will provide the necessary electricity not only for the pump, but also for many other tools that make the work of creating a pond easier.

1. As soon as the digging is finished, its dimensions are measured using a string, taking into account the resulting depth. To this value is added about 1 meter for allowances. The resulting value is necessary to purchase a film of the appropriate size.

Many people wonder where to dispose of the soil that was removed during digging of a pit.

In this regard, we can recommend the following:

• raise the level of the site by evenly distributing the soil throughout the garden;
• mold it alpine slide;
• make the basis for ledges along which the stream will flow.

1. Then the entire pond bowl is carefully lined with waterproof film. In order not to tear the coating, it is recommended to first cover the pit with an additional layer of geotextile. Then pebbles and roots will not be able to tear the film after pouring water. Cheaper options – old linoleum or a compacted layer of fine sand.

Work should be carried out on a warm, sunny day. This weather makes the film more flexible; it stretches easily and follows all the irregularities and decorative curves of the pond.

1. To secure the film, a small trench is dug along the edge of the pond. The edges of the material are lowered into it and covered with crushed stone. You can't think of a more reliable way.
2. In order to strengthen the edge of the reservoir and prevent soil shedding, the edges of the reservoir should be reinforced with concrete blocks or plastic pipes secured to pegs. Wild natural stone is perfect for decoration.

1. The bottom of the pond is formed with crushed stone or boulders. Plants are planted in special plastic boxes, which are installed in in the right places reservoir and near it.

1. Next, water is poured. The water meter readings should be recorded before and after this process. This will allow you to calculate the volume of liquid in the depression, which will be useful later when purchasing equipment and chemicals to care for the pond.
   
2. It is best to make a pond with circulation. In this case, the water in it will be constantly renewed and will not bloom. To do this, an embankment is made near the reservoir from which the stream will flow. Water is supplied to the top submersible pump equipped with a cleaning system. The decoration of all elements is at your discretion.

Conclusion

Having carefully read the material presented above, you should not have any questions about how to build a pond in your country house with your own hands. Find out more about the construction process artificial reservoirs you can from the video in this article.

The wonderful atmosphere of a dacha garden, painted with the exquisite colors of nature, is ideally complemented by an artificial pond sparkling in the sun, which today is an integral element of landscape design. A quiet water harbor, fish, waterfalls, and ornamental plants will highlight the owner’s good taste and aesthetic nature like nothing else. How to properly build a pond at your dacha with your own hands so that during operation it brings a minimum of hassle? In this article we bring to your attention various options solutions for creating an artificial reservoir, near which you, your family and friends will relax your soul and receive unforgettable pleasure from the beauty of nature.

Types of reservoirs

Today there are a large number of different ponds, classified according to the principles of construction and various characteristics.

The following types of ponds are distinguished by shape and style:

• formal or with regular geometry;
• landscape or with irregular geometry.

The first type of decorative pond is distinguished by a strict outline; its sides intersect at right angles, forming diamond-shaped, rectangular or other similar combinations. Brick or tile are most often used as facing materials, giving a certain rigor to the structure. A formal pond is appropriate in a country house where other buildings and rectangular paths are already present.

Landscape ponds are often called decorative. The structure of such reservoirs is similar to formal ones, but their outline most often has a smooth shape in the form of a coastline. Of course, the appearance of such a reservoir can be very diverse, everything depends on imagination, the main thing is that the pond has the most natural appearance.

According to water level, decorative ponds are divided into:

• raised;
• buried.

Raised ponds mainly perform a decorative function in the landscape design of a summer cottage, and they are created with the geometry of the correct shape. The depth of such a reservoir is very small - within the limits of the sides. The advantages of such a decorative element in the country are minimal physical and financial costs.

However, the disadvantages are immediately visible - in winter, such a pond freezes through and through, and you can only breed in it annual plants, and there is no place for fish here at all.

To create an in-ground pond, you will need to perform some excavation robots using waterproofing materials. In such a pond you can grow without any problems perennials and get some fish.

Choosing a place for a decorative pond in the country

The key to a well-groomed pond is its correct location. It is best to create a decorative pond near a house or a place to relax, for example, a gazebo. This way you can watch the playing surface of the water while drinking coffee or reading a book. However, the main criterion for the location of the pond is the surrounding landscapes.

It should be built in an open area, since large deciduous trees Not only will they create problems in the fall, but their rapidly growing roots can damage the pond system. It is also important that the reservoir is protected from strong winds, as they will negatively affect the development of coastal plants.

You also need to take into account natural lighting. For favorable reservoir development in the rays sunlight it should be left for no more than 10 hours, otherwise small bacteria may begin to multiply in the pond, as a result of which it will become overgrown with mud and algae. With very little light, the development of existing deep plants will be hampered.

Construction of artificial reservoirs based on a bowl

When constructing a reservoir, you cannot make mistakes, as it can turn into an ordinary swamp, the inhabitants of which will be frogs and midges.

Unlike swimming pools, water in a reservoir must not only be ozonated and breathe, but also have a certain acid balance. And only by observing these conditions, the pond will be in a natural state, and the growing plants and living fish in it will flourish and multiply.

Choosing a container for a pond

The easiest way to make a mini-lake at your dacha is to build a pond based on a bowl.

Depending on the capacity and material of manufacture for the structure, you can choose the following bowls:

• polyethylene container with a capacity of 150-900 liters

This option is the most optimal for a small summer cottage. Depending on your wishes, you can choose a variety of colors, shapes and configurations of the bowl; its service life is about 3 years.

• plastic vessel with a capacity of 1200-1600 liters

This base is more durable and strong, the service life is about 10 years.

• propylene or fiberglass mold with a capacity of 5000-6000 liters.

With the help of such a bowl, you can equip your dacha with an artificial pond with an area of ​​more than 10 m² and a depth of about 1.5 meters. Service life is approximately 30 years, in addition, if necessary, it is allowed various types repair.

Having determined your financial capabilities and chosen a bowl, you can begin building a pond in your dacha.

Stages of building a pond at the dacha based on a bowl

By selecting appropriate place for a mini-lake, we proceed to arranging the foundation pit:

• The first thing you need to do is make markings. To do this, we place the container upside down at the intended location of the reservoir and make marks along its contour.
• Then we drive in the pegs at a distance of 15 cm from the contours of the marking, and its outline should be completely repeated.
• The next stage is digging a pit, and it should be taken into account that the pit must fully comply with the parameters and shape of the bowl. The depth must be made with a margin of about 25 cm for the sand cushion.

• We thoroughly clean the bottom of various stones and roots.
• You need to carefully level the bottom of the hole; to do this, you can try to place a bowl in it and see if it needs to be excavated, or if the pit already corresponds to the dimensions of the container.
• If the parameters of the pit correspond, then it is necessary to carefully compact its bottom.
• Then the ditch is completely covered with waterproofing material.
• A sand cushion should be laid at the bottom in a layer of 20-25 cm.
• Now you can begin laying the bowl on the sand bed. Its horizontal position is checked, after which the free space is filled with sand. Along with filling the sand, you need to gradually fill the container with water.
• Then you can show your imagination and start arranging a mini-lake in your dacha.

Do-it-yourself pond at the dacha based on a flexible insulating polymer

Types of insulating film

If you are planning to build a pond large sizes, then a flexible insulating material is ideal for these purposes, thanks to which you will not limit yourself in choosing the shape and size of the pond.

We are talking about polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride film and butyl rubber.

It is possible to build a pond using plastic film only if it is planned to be temporary. The thing is that this material is quite fragile and can be easily damaged. The service life of polyethylene film, as a rule, is no more than three years.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) film is quite in demand in the construction of an artificial reservoir, it is very durable and reliable, its service life is 10-15 years.

Today, the best solution for equipping a pond at your dacha with your own hands is butyl rubber. This material is extremely durable, reliable, and is not afraid of the sun and frost. It will serve you from 30 to 50 years.

In terms of price, of course, the most economical option, but at the same time not the most durable, is polyethylene film. The most expensive and reliable is butyl rubber. If it is too expensive for you, then opt for insulating material made of polyvinyl chloride, it is almost half the price, but is still quite durable.

Construction stages

It is best to carry out work on constructing a pond based on an insulating film in summer time when the air temperature is about 20 degrees. In order for the film to become more elastic, it must be kept in the sun for several hours.

• At the first stage, markings are made and a pit is dug.

This is done according to the same principle as when building a pond using a bowl, however, here more attention should be paid to the depth and shape of the pit - correct division into zones is necessary, which are carried out in stages. The width of the steps must be at least 40 cm.

Optimal depth of an artificial reservoir:

From 20 to 40 cm in shallow water, or more precisely in the first step zone;

From 50 to 100 cm in deep water, at the last stage of the pond.

If you plan to raise fish in a pond, then you need to provide a “wintering pit” for them, which is about 150 cm deep.

• The next step is to carefully level the bottom
• After removing all large and small stones, roots, etc. the surface is covered with a 5 cm layer of clean sand and covered with geotextile, thanks to which the service life of the film coating can be extended.
• Now you can start laying the polymer

Arrange the material loosely, securing it at the edges with bricks. There is no need to rush to cut the film, since initially you need to fill the resulting container with water so that the material takes the desired shape.

The dimensions of the insulating film are calculated as follows: the length of the film is equal to the length of the reservoir, 2 depths plus a margin of about 40-50 cm. In the same way, you can calculate the required width of the polymer.

• Decoration of the underwater part

Immediately after laying the insulating film, you can start pouring water, but it will look very impressive and beautiful if you decorate the underwater part in a special way, covering it, for example, with tiles, bricks or stones.

If the angle of inclination of the underwater shore is no more than 30°, then the stones can be laid without fastening them to each other, but with ligation of the seams. To do this, the space between them should be filled with clay. If the slope of the bank is steeper, then the stones must be secured with cement mortar.

Decorative design of a pond at the dacha

When all the construction work is behind us, we begin to design the reservoir - last stage arrangement of an artificial pond at the dacha. The coastline can be laid out with pebbles, tiles, stones or other wide variety of flooring.

The decoration of the banks with small stones is carried out using the filling method, while the blind area has the form of a trench, the remaining insulating film is held in place by poured stones.

If you plan to decorate the shore with large stones, then you must first organize concrete base, since otherwise loose stones may slip and ruin the polymer.

Ponds look very impressive in combination with fountains, alpine slides, and small streams. An excellent option for a small artificial reservoir would be a floating fountain; it is sold with all the necessary equipment; you just need to plug it into the electricity.

If there is enough free space in the reservoir, then be sure to make an artificial waterfall with 2-3 cascades through which water will flow into the bowl.

To organize it, you will need such main components as a powerful pump and an outlet pipe that will supply water from the pump to the top of the cascade. To create cascades, you can use molded pallets or thick waterproofing film. It is best to lay the outlet pipe underground, but if this is not possible, then simply camouflage it carefully. The following figure shows a diagram of the organization of a waterfall with 3 cascades.

Plants such as reeds, ferns, feces, iris, lake reeds, etc. will perfectly decorate a pond. Plastic or metal containers are used for planting them. Coat the walls of the container with clay so that water does not wash away nutrients land.

Flowers and leaves of aquatic plants must be above the surface of the water. For example, for water lilies the required depth is up to 100-130 cm, and for arrowhead 10-20 cm will be enough.

Must be planted in a pond aquatic plants- oxygen generators that produce oxygen and prevent the proliferation of various algae.

Plant land plants It is best to place them in containers dug near the pond to prevent roots from growing under the pond. Place fish in the water. You can decorate the ground part of the pond with a bridge or other decorative elements, give free rein to your imagination.

A pond in the country - photos of beautifully decorated artificial mini-lakes:

Filters, overflow and lighting

To ensure that the water in your pond is always clear and clean, you need to take care of its filtration. To organize this cleaning system you will need plastic pipes and reinforcing hoses. The pump and filter system should be selected based on the volume of your mini lake and the desired degree of filtration.

When arranging a reservoir in a country house, you need to think about such an element as a spillway. Thanks to it, it will be possible to regulate the water level, for example, in the spring during rains or when the snow melts, our pond will never overflow its banks. A spillway is a small depression at the bottom of a reservoir filled with pebbles. Drainage pipes are connected to this depression, with the help of which the excess water from the mini-lake.

Any artificial reservoir will look more impressive if it is equipped with various types backlights

If you choose the right one spot lighting, then in the dark the artificial reservoir will come to life, be filled with new highlights and take on unusual, delightful forms.

The lighting can be placed permanently at the bottom of the pond, or it can be equipped with lamps that, with the help of weights of various weights, will float at several levels of water. But the light bulbs located on the fountain nozzle will illuminate each stream of beating streams of water.

It is worth remembering that all products that rely on electricity must have appropriate markings that allow them to be used in water or outside.

Pond in the country - photos of finished ponds with beautiful lighting:

• The ideal depth of a reservoir is about 5 m with an area of ​​about 15 square meters. m, if you plan to increase the area of ​​the pond, then you should accordingly increase its depth, for example, at 20 sq. m. It is desirable that the depth be more than 1 m.
• In order not to upset the balance of the ecosystem, it is better not to change the water in an artificial lake.
• Plant all plants closer to the shore.
• The ratio of water and vegetation should be 1:4, in which case the ecosystem will not be disturbed.
• It is advisable that the stones in the pond are not made of limestone, as it makes the water alkaline, which will negatively affect the fish living there.
• Do not be alarmed if after the first pour of water into the pond it becomes cloudy. This is due to the fact that the stage of colonization by microorganisms occurs; after some time, after the ecosystem reaches equilibrium, the water will clear.

Maintaining order in the pond

Like other structures, a pond requires some maintenance. There is no need to expend any special physical strength here, if correct selection water plants in your mini-lake, a biological balance will gradually be established, and the system will control itself; all you have to do is just help it a little.

Caring for a pond is very simple and logical:

• In summer and spring, regularly remove filamentous algae and weeds from the reservoir using a net. If your pond does not have a filtration system, then you can buy special chemicals that will saturate the water with oxygen without harming all its inhabitants. In the summer, when water evaporates quickly, top up as needed.
• In autumn, remove fallen leaves to the surface in time, as they will eventually sink to the bottom. Transplant some plants that cannot tolerate frost into separate containers for wintering. Thin out overgrown plants. To protect the reservoir from various debris in the winter, stretch a special mesh over its surface.
• In the spring, around April, it is already possible to start the reservoir - cut off the dried stems, clean the walls and bottom of silt, and if available, turn on the fountain lighting.

As you can see, the hassle of care is completely insignificant considering how much emotion and joy this living, wonderful corner brings you.

How to turn your suburban area into a real paradise? Just. Need to create a nice place, pleasing to the eye. And where the soul rests, there the mood improves and vitality increases.

One of the brightest touches in landscape design can be a decorative pond at the dacha, comfortably located among the greenery.

Despite the fact that most summer cottages are limited in size to the standard six acres, and the owners do not have the opportunity to make a large pond, this is not a reason to deny themselves the pleasure of having an artificial pond on the site. Technical side the question will also not become an obstacle if there is a desire and competent instructions, describing step by step how to make a pond with your own hands.

Stage 1 – Idea (types of ponds)

Before you begin large-scale construction work and build an entire lake with your own hands, you need to think about what purpose the creation of a reservoir on the site serves.

In terms of functionality (goals), four types can be distinguished:

Little pond.

This is a body of water that is part landscape composition. Their purpose is to decorate a corner of the garden and please the eye. Active recreation near such a pond is not expected.

Decorative pond.

Is a deeper body of water. As a rule, they are decorated with bridges, fountains, and lighting is installed. Such a pond is being built not far from country house, terraces or gazebos, benches, sun loungers and umbrellas (or canopies) are installed nearby. And the pond becomes the center of the recreation area for the inhabitants of a private house.

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A personal artificial lake in which fish swim is a dream not only for fishermen. Children, cats and other family members will enjoy watching colorful fish while relaxing in nature.

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They are also country ponds that, in addition to their aesthetic function, provide the opportunity to cool off or even swim, depending on the size.

Based on the goal and one’s own capabilities, the location of the pond, its parameters and geometry will be determined.

Stage 2 – Style of a pond at the dacha

A garden pond can be made in two versions with an endless variety of different modifications:

Formal (regular) body of water.

The name successfully reflects the essence of the pond; it is a structure that has a strictly defined shape.

Geometrically correct form pond is more suitable for areas maintained in classic style or in modern, minimalist or hi-tech styles.

Along with rectangular shapes, round, square and broken (symmetrical or asymmetrical) also belong to the formal type of pond.

Landscape pond on the site.

A more popular option among users because it has an irregular coastline, natural look, creates the effect of closeness to nature and does not limit the flight of imagination of the creators.

Tip: The outline of the pond is determined by the preferences of the owners, but the more complex the shore line, the harder it is to lay the film.

An important aspect that you need to pay attention to when choosing the style of a reservoir on your site is the terrain. A flat surface makes it possible to arrange a pond of any configuration. Changes and unevenness require increased attention, but they allow you to create a reservoir with a waterfall or a cascade of ponds. A bridge or an artificial slide will look natural on such a terrain.

You can also raise the pond above ground level yourself. The only difference in the technology of performing the work will be the construction of the foundation, which allows to avoid distortion of the concrete bowl of the artificial lake.

A high pond minimizes excavation work, is easier to maintain and is suitable for families with small children (the edge is equipped with a fence with railings). Such a reservoir can be built near covered terrace, making it not only an element of landscape design, but also a place of relaxation.

Tip: If you are planning to make a pond with a fountain, give preference to a tall pond.

Stage 3 – Place (location) for the pond

Creating a pond on a property for the sake of a pond is illogical. It is much more pleasant if the pond adds zest, a decorative accent to the color of the landscape of the site. This means you need to place it in good place. The location will allow you to admire artificial lake from anywhere.

How to choose the right place for a pond in your country house?

To do this, you need to take into account a number of factors:

• plot size. Directly affects the size of the pond itself and its configuration;

• relief. It also determines the shape of the pond and provides the opportunity to simplify the creation of fountains, waterfalls, or vice versa, achieving a perfectly smooth water surface;

• soil composition and level groundwater. Have a direct impact on the depth of the pond, the complexity of the work and the need for additional materials;

• illumination It is advisable that the pond be located in a shaded area. Direct exposure time sun rays should not exceed 5-6 hours. Otherwise, some of the water from the pond risks evaporating, and biological activity will negate all the beauty of the reservoir. Recommendation: after choosing a place for a pond, observe the solar regime for several days.

Tip: The deeper the pond, the more illuminated the place it can be located.
A pond intended for fish all the more needs thoughtful placement, because in highly heated water the oxygen level decreases.

• visibility. It is better to place the pond so that it can be seen from the window of the house or from the gazebo. Good visibility is especially important for families with children.

• reflection. The pond will only benefit if only clouds or beautiful buildings, not a toilet or a greenhouse.

• degree of landscaping. Trees and bushes growing around the pond are certainly a very organic addition. But these are also fallen leaves and branches, which, falling into the water, will pollute its surface and, ultimately, settle to the bottom in the form of silt. In addition, tree roots can damage the waterproofing of the pond.

Tip: You can provide a sufficient amount of greenery near the pond by decorating it with plants in tubs (barrels).

• power supply For those owners who plan to install a fountain on the pond, lighting, etc. must consider in advance the possibility of electrifying this area and yard.

Advice: it is better to supply electricity at the development stage and lay the wires in a protected and durable corrugation underground, and equip the connection points with a hatch for easy access.

• the possibility of expanding the reservoir or creating a recreation area. You need to plan for the future. In both cases, it is important that at least one side of the pond has enough space for possible redevelopment, adding a gazebo, barbecue area, installing sun loungers or a small waterfall.

• compatibility of the pond with other buildings and the general appearance of the site.

Advice: it is better to start building a pond at your dacha with your own hands at the beginning of the warm season - in the spring. This way, there will be time for the device and the pond will have time to fit into the design (“take root”).

Stage 4 – Dimensions of the pond on the site

It cannot be said unequivocally that a large pond is a luxury, and a small one is a budget option or an opportunity to save money. A small pond does not always mean cheap, sometimes even the opposite. Each type has its own advantages. Therefore, let's focus on the key points:

• dimensions. Depends on the location of the pond in the country. There are recommendations on websites regarding how much area a pond should occupy - from 3 to 10% of total area plot. In reality, there can be no clear recommendations;

• width and length. Determined by the size of the site and the physical capabilities of the person. After all, the foundation pit for a pond is most often dug by hand;

Tip: the aspect ratio will determine the harmony of the pond.

• depth. Depends on the size of the pool, pond or lake and the purpose of the arrangement.

• zoning. Professionals recommend breaking artificial pond into three areas:

• coastal zone (100-400 mm). Designed for planting plants and entering the pond;

• shallow (400-1000 mm). For plants growing deeper. Tip: Nymphea or winter-hardy water lily grows well at this depth;

• deep-sea (over 1 m). Necessary in those ponds where it is planned to breed fish. The area of ​​the deep-water zone depends on the type and quantity of fish, but should be at least 20% of the pond area.

Tip: The lowest point of reservoirs should be below the freezing level of the soil. This is especially important for those ponds in which fish live. Thus, she can safely spend the winter in an ice-free pond.

• biodynamic balance. A pond is a place that is inhabited by living creatures, therefore, it is necessary to ensure balance so that the pond can clean itself. Special water treatment such as chlorination or ozonation is not provided for the pond.

Tip: plants should not occupy more than 50% of the pond area.

• complexity of content. It’s a paradox, but the larger the reservoir, the easier it is to maintain.

Ponds - from small to large

Stage 5 – Material for a pond at the dacha

Moving forward in the field of studying country ponds, we gradually got to one of the key questions, how to make a pond with your own hands. Any construction begins with the choice of material.

The market offers many building materials for creating a pond. And craftsmen advise making a pond from scrap materials; this will allow you to build a small pond in your dacha without any special financial costs.

Let's consider all the materials suitable for building a garden pond.

Concrete pond.

An expensive option that allows you to operate the pond for a long time. Pouring a pond with concrete (constructing a concrete bowl) is a method that is more suitable for constructing a swimming pool.

Plastic bowl (container).

More suitable option. Made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or fiberglass, the form allows you to quickly complete all arrangement work and operate the pond from 5 to 30 years, depending on the quality of the bowl.

The purchased form allows you to make a pond in 3 stages: dig a pit, install a bowl and fill the voids with sand.

The plastic bowl for the pond is characterized by ease of installation, durability and frost resistance.

Their minus is high cost, difficulty of transportation (with a large volume) and the need to have basic installation skills. Otherwise, the bowl is very easy to damage. Please note that plastic bowls are destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Tip: the clear shape of the plastic bowl limits the possibility of creating a landscape pond on the site (subjective opinion).

In this subgroup, the best option is a bowl (shape) for a pond made of fiberglass, reinforced with a rubber base. The undoubted advantage of fiberglass is reliability and maintainability.

Polymer film.

Provides unlimited possibilities in terms of choosing the shape of the reservoir. The simplest and available material in this category, we can call polyethylene film. It is available and cheap, but will not last long.

PVC film has a longer life. At correct installation and with proper care it will last more than 10 years. Tip: instead of PVC film, you can use advertising banners (transparencies). They are trying to get rid of used banners and they can be bought inexpensively. Butyl rubber pond film. The most reliable material (rubber) for waterproofing a reservoir. Experts recommend butyl rubber membrane (EPDM) for those who have a rocky bottom, a lot of roots, or a significant pool depth. The service life of butyl rubber is 50 years. It can withstand repeated freezing.

Folk ways to make a pond from scrap materials

Bath pond

Old bath I am an ideal container, specially designed to hold water. It can be painted in a bright color and installed in beautiful corner garden Or you can dig it deeper into the soil and get a small country pond, even with a fountain.

Pond from a tire (pond from a tire or from a wheel)

Another simple way to make a mini pond in the garden.

How to make a pond from a tire with your own hands is shown in the photo.

Pond from a basin

The method is so simple that its construction is often done by women or even children. The basin holds water easily. Like a bathtub, it can be installed on the ground or deepened. The main thing in arranging a pond from a basin is the decor. And then, the garden mini-pond will decorate the area no worse than a full-fledged reservoir.

Decorative pond from plastic bottles.

Suitable for those who want to combine two in one: create a decorative pond and eliminate the buzzing of mosquitoes.

Material prepared for the website www.site

Please note that the choice of material for the pond has a direct impact on the arrangement, appearance and its service life.

Tip: when choosing material for a pond, make sure that it is environmentally friendly.

Stage 6 – tools and equipment for the pond

To make a simple pond at the dacha, you need to prepare a level, a cord (for marking), pegs, a hose for watering, a shovel and a cart for removing soil.

For a more technologically advanced (capital) reservoir, pond equipment will be required:

• filter for water purification. It is especially important to install a filter in reservoirs where fish are raised.

• pond pump. Allows you to organize water supply under pressure. Used for pumping/pumping water, watering the garden, installing fountains, waterfalls, operating filters (cleaning);

• Pond sterilizer. Necessary for eliminating algae (helps make the water clear);

• compressor (aerator) for the pond. Important for fish and plants. Pond aeration allows you to saturate the water with oxygen. Compared to an aquarium compressor, it has more power.

Stage 7 – We build a pond at the dacha with our own hands

As you can see, there are more than enough materials to create a pond on your own. We will focus on how to make a pond at the dacha from PVC film. The choice is due to the fact that the film takes shape better, it is quite affordable, working with it does not require special skills, and the film can be repaired.

Advice: to prevent the film from tearing in winter, you need to provide a deep-water part (below the depth of soil freezing), which will serve as a kind of compensator.

7.1 Choosing a pond film

PVC film colors:

• black - will turn the bottom of the lake into a mirror. Clouds, etc. will be reflected well in a dark body of water;

• brown - perfectly imitates bottom soil. Suitable for creating landscape ponds;

• blue or cream - will give the pond a resemblance to a swimming pool, but the fish are clearly visible against a light background.

When choosing a film, pay attention to:

• compound. Polyethylene is fragile, PVC is stronger;

• thickness. A film with a thickness of more than 0.5 mm is suitable for a pond. The maximum thickness available on the domestic market is 1.9 mm;

Tip: The deeper the pond and the more complex its shoreline, the stronger and thicker the film should be. The presence of stones or tree roots is also a reason to choose a stronger film.

• trade mark (brand). According to reviews, as well as from practice, it is recommended to use film from the brands Gardena, Heissner, OASE;

• resistance to mechanical damage;

• UV resistance.

Tip: For pond depths greater than 1.5 m, the best solution is to use butyl rubber (EPDM or synthetic rubber, as it is also called). The rubber film is stretchable, resistant to UV and mechanical damage. Withstands from 40 to 80 °C.

• absence of toxic components in the film composition.

Pond film calculation

• film length = length of the reservoir + 2 x depth of the reservoir + reserve (500-600 mm);

• film width = reservoir width + 2 x reservoir depth + reserve (500-600 mm).

How and with what to glue PVC film for the pond

The film for the pond is glued with a special glue (for example, Tangit (Tangit) PVC-U) or with adhesive tape, for example, Quick Seam 3.

Advice: it is better to immediately adjust the geometry of the pond to the size of the film.

7.2 Sketch and diagram of a pond at the dacha

Before you start digging a pit for a pond, you need to draw a sketch on paper and also transfer it to the surface of the ground. It is advisable to indicate the depth and width of shelves for plants or steps. This technique will allow you to avoid problems during the construction of the pond. It is convenient to apply markings with a garden hose (it is flexible, bright, and easy to adjust) or sand.

Tip: after marking the ground, cover the resulting area with a light film and look at it from different corners of the area. You may actually have to make adjustments to the future pond.

7.3 Digging a pit for a pond

The pit structure includes:

• removal of turf (excavation);

• digging a pit. It is convenient to dig from the edge to the center, gradually going deeper in the right places. For decoration, laying stone or laying turf, you need to dig a ledge 600-700 mm deep;

• removal of soil, as well as construction debris, roots, stones and anything that can damage the film.

Advice: since the excavated soil needs to be put somewhere, you can build an alpine slide or level the surface of an area where there are depressions.

In progress earthworks you need to constantly ensure that the banks are on the same line. If you are planning a waterfall, then you need to maintain the required height difference.

Advice. If you need a building level (level) of great length, you can make it yourself. To do this, you need to lay a regular building level 500 mm long on a long board.

7.4 Laying the pond liner

After the pit is dug, its bottom and walls are well compacted (this is necessary to give it shape) and proceed to waterproofing. Waterproofing for a pond is needed to prevent water from escaping into the soil.

Tip: Some users prefer to do without isolation. In practice, this results in water levels that are inconsistent.

There are several ways to form a substrate:

• line the compacted pit with stones, gravel and fill it with sand. But after a few years, such waterproofing will cease to perform its functions;

• lay geotextiles on the bottom and cover with sand. A more reliable method, but also more expensive;

• lay PVC film. It is film, as the most common option, that is discussed in this article.

7.5 Laying pond liner

Proper laying of the film does not exclude the installation of a sand cushion at the bottom of the future pond. According to professionals, such a pillow eliminates the possibility of damage to the film by roots or stones.

Advice. It is better to lay the film on a hot day. As it heats up, it will become more pliable.

Considering the topography of the bottom and banks of the reservoir, everyone will be faced with the fact that the film will be laid in folds. At the same time, users advise making one large fold, rather than many small ones. The formed fold can be pressed down with stones or glued to the main part of the film.

It is important that the laid film lies on the surface of the pit freely, without tension. Otherwise, after filling the pond with water, it may stretch even more and tear.

In order to secure the film, it is enough to dig an auxiliary trench. Having laid the film, you can secure it with rods and fill the trench with crushed stone.

After the film is laid, the pit is filled with stones.

Tip: choose a large stone for the bottom. The flat bottom of the stone will prevent the film from tearing. For walls, it is better to use rounded stones, since flat ones slide.

Upon completion of the work, the pit is filled with water. Moreover, it must be supplied without pressure to the middle of the pit.

Only after the water in the pit has stood for 1-2 days can the film be cut off.

7.6 Strengthening the banks of the pond

A homemade pond in the garden will look well-groomed and reliable only when there are beautiful and durable banks.

Depending on the type of soil, the shore of the pond should have a slope:

• with chernozem or clay, it is allowed to make vertical walls;

• at sandy soil– inclined.

Practical users believe that optimal slope for the shore of a reservoir it is 45°. This angle will prevent the shore from crumbling and prevent ice from bulging during freezing/thawing.

When finishing and decorating the banks of the pond, take into account the plants that will be planted on them. Since they all grow at different depths, care should be taken to ensure that planting shelves are formed at a certain depth.

In the process of digging a pit, every owner will inevitably face the question of how to strengthen the shore of the pond.

The following engineering methods are suitable for strengthening the shore:

For a flat coast:

• geomat;
• geogrid (perforated polymer);
• geogrid.

Craftsmen advise using a more conventional chain-link mesh, the cells of which are filled with earth with clover seeds (or other perennial grasses) or strengthening the shore of the pond with plants and bushes.

For a steep bank:

• gabions;
• piles (sheet piling or regular);
• retaining walls.

Biological methods can strengthen the shore just as well. The photo shows plants that can not only strengthen the shore, but also decorate an artificial pond.

Advice. For greater reliability, it is better to combine engineering and biological methods of strengthening the shore of a reservoir.

Stage 8 – Decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands

The pond at the dacha will become a full-fledged design element garden decor only upon its final finishing.

To make a country pond look natural or decoratively decorate a shaped pond, you can use:

• plants planted directly on the bottom of the pond. To do this, you need to place the prepared plants in special containers on the curtains (steps of the pond). Tip: Native plants do better in a pond;

• plants in tubs. To do this, any plant is planted in a tub (barrel, bucket, pot) and placed on the shore of the pond. The advantage of this method of decorating the shore is that you can use any plants, even exotic ones, and constantly change the appearance of the coastline;

• build a “dream” island in the middle of a pond. Place a decorative stone boulder on the island or place a plant in a flower pot;

• launch bright fish;

• lay beautiful stones.

Advice: it is better to alternate the laying of large stones with the laying of smaller ones, thus avoiding uniformity in the design of the bank.

• lay out comfortable and beautiful paths from natural stone, gravel, wood or brick cuts;

Tip: gravel paths require more maintenance because... they are washed away by rain and grass grows through them.

• build a bridge across a body of water;

• complement it with a waterfall;

• install beautiful fencing made of wood or stone;

• organize night illumination of the pond. Moreover, you can install LED lights, or place lights in transparent glass balls on the water surface. They can be lowered to the bottom using weights;

• install sun loungers or a gazebo on the shore of the pond.

Stage 9 – Caring for a pond at the dacha

• The pond will be protected from leaves by a mesh structure on a lightweight frame.

• cloudy water that will remain in the pond for 2-3 weeks settles over time. In addition, the biological activity of small inhabitants will soon make it transparent.

• to clear the pond of leaves, a net is useful;

• to increase the water level, you need to periodically add it (with a bucket or hose without pressure);

• you need to monitor the rate of spread of algae, in order to limit their growth, you can plant cattails or nymphs (lilies);

• protect plants planted in the pond from the cold or bring them into the house;

• Periodic cleaning of the reservoir will eliminate bottom debris;

Tip: You can clean your pond quickly and effectively in winter. To do this, it is enough to split the ice and transport it along with the silt outside the pond.

• algaecides are an emergency measure for cleaning a pond. But due to its high toxicity, you should not use it unless absolutely necessary.

Stage 10 – Preparing the pond for winter

A pond based on a special plastic bowl can survive the winter, because the bowl can withstand significant temperature changes. To prevent it from deforming from the pressure created by ice, it is enough to place several empty plastic bottles in the container. The bottles must first be tightly closed with lids. To prevent the bowl from collapsing, 1 bottle per 1 bottle is enough. square meter containers.

But what about those who have a film pond - will the film crack from frost? If the depth of the pond exceeds the freezing depth of the soil, there is no need to worry. To protect smaller bodies of water, you can also use empty bottles.

Important! All equipment and plants must be covered for the winter.

Conclusion

In this article we covered everything key points creating a pond with your own hands, starting from the idea and ending with care. We hope that we have dispelled doubts and given confidence in our abilities. Go for it! And by the beginning of the season you will have a wonderful water corner in your suburban area.

Relaxing in the country is a favorite pastime for many people. The only thing that can compete with him is a trip to the shore of a reservoir. By installing an artificial pond in your dacha, you can get an excellent place to get rid of fatigue and relaxation. Moreover, building an artificial pond with your own hands will not be difficult; you just need a little perseverance and imagination.

Types of reservoirs

Depending on what functionality you plan to provide to the pond you have built, artificial reservoirs can be divided into several categories.

Pool

This category includes artificial reservoirs of significant size. Such a pond, built at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo, has not only decorative properties, but also allows you to freshen up, or even swim, without leaving the site.

Pond with fish

A pond for breeding fish is suitable not only for fishing enthusiasts. Your family members, especially children, will enjoy spending time at the lake, watching the bright and beautiful fish.

Mini pond in the country

A small pond that is an element of the landscape composition. Performs exclusively decorative functions and does not involve placing a recreation area around it.

Decorative pond in the garden

A garden pond, built with your own hands, which is the central place of the recreation area. The combination of sufficient size and beautiful design will not only please the eyes, but will also give pleasant coolness on a hot day.

Style

Having decided on the functionality of the reservoir, it is worth moving on to choosing the style in which the decorative pond at the dacha will be executed. There are two main options.

1. Formal (regular) pond. An artificial reservoir of strict geometric shape. Ideal if you want to emphasize the geometric shapes of a building or the site itself. Creates a sense of order and looks appropriate next to geometrically correct flower beds, lawns and other decorative elements on the site.
2. landscape pond in the country. It is carried out in any form and fits very easily into the surrounding landscape. This option fits any style and looks as natural as possible. Its construction requires significantly less effort than equipping a geometric reservoir.

Selecting a location

Great importance when organizing a pond at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article, it has the terrain. On flat areas you can place a pond in a garden of any style and size. Uneven areas create more difficulties when deciding how to make an artificial pond, but at the same time they can serve as natural cascades and elevations for waterfalls.

It is necessary to build a pond with a fountain at the dacha with your own hands in an open area so that the pond is clearly visible from every corner of the dacha. Depth groundwater, high-quality composition soil may affect the permissible depth of the reservoir, as well as the complexity of work and use additional materials. When thinking about how to build a pond at your dacha with your own hands, in addition to the terrain, you should take into account a number of others important points.

1. Compatibility with the environment. A mini pond at the dacha, visible from all sides, should be combined with buildings and green spaces on the site.
2. Illumination of the area. It is preferable to choose the most shaded place on the site for the location of the reservoir. This will prevent increased water evaporation. In addition, with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, there is a high probability of active development of microorganisms in the water, which will negatively affect the aesthetic component.
3. Environment. Do not overuse vegetation near an artificial pond. Long and thick roots big trees Over time, they can lead to damage to the insulating layer, which in turn will require repairs and putting the reservoir in order. Leaves falling into the water from tree branches located too close to the pond can lead to siltation and will require regular cleaning. On clear days, nearby trees or buildings will be reflected on the surface of the water. Therefore, you should worry about a beautiful exterior in advance so that your gaze does not fall on a rickety shed or a dry fallen tree.
4. Expansion of the reservoir. In the future, you may think about the need to increase the area of ​​the reservoir, additional functional and decorative elements. Therefore, it is worthwhile to provide in advance a place for a possible expansion of the reservoir at the dacha with your own hands.
5. Electrification. If you are planning to install lighting next to or directly in a pond, or placing an electric fountain or other movable structures, you should worry about laying all the necessary electrical wiring in advance. It is best to place wires underground, protecting them with durable boxes or corrugation.

Size selection

Having chosen a place on the site that will occupy a pond in the garden, you should decide on the size of the future reservoir. Landscape design specialists do not give clear recommendations in this regard. However, a decorative pond built with your own hands on a summer cottage should not occupy more than 8-10% of the area of ​​the plot, because a larger structure will look like a bulky and alien object.

The depth of the pond in the garden depends on the purposes for which it is created, as well as on the capabilities of the owner, who equips the pond with his own hands on the site. The photos below will help you make your choice.

Selection of materials

When arranging ponds on your summer cottage with your own hands, you should approach the choice of material with the utmost care. There are many options for what material is best to use to build a small pond in your dacha with your own hands.

The photos in the article and the list below highlight the following main categories.

Concrete pond

A capital structure, which is the most expensive option for arranging a pond in a country house. To the advantages of using of this material can be attributed to increased strength and durability of use.

Plastic container

An industrially made mold made of high-strength plastic allows you to solve the question in the shortest possible time: how to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands. Various shapes and dimensions allow you to choose an option suitable for the most demanding owner.

PVC film or polyethylene film

The use of these materials makes it possible to create a garden pond with your own hands of absolutely any shape. The disadvantages of such a material include low resistance to external influences, and how short term services

Butyl rubber membrane

A do-it-yourself garden pond made from such a film will please the eye longer than the decorative pond in the photo below made of polyethylene or PVC. When planning how to make a pond on your site with your own hands, it is worth considering that the service life of the membrane reaches 50 years, and the increased resistance of butyl rubber to severe frosts makes it very advantageous material.

To save money, you can use various available materials. Old bathtub, basin or car tire for a mini pond - these and other “folk” remedies are used to create ponds in the country. Our photo gallery will suggest other original ideas.

Necessary equipment

Depending on the functionality of the reservoir and the material from which it will be made, the following tools may be required during the creation process: a shovel, a cart for transporting excess soil, a level, pegs and a strong cord for marking, as well as a hose for watering. This set of tools will be enough to place mini ponds in your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo above. If the planned pond in the garden will be significant size, it is worth assessing the feasibility of using construction equipment. For a pond intended for fish breeding or designed for a particularly long service life, the installation of additional equipment may be justified:

1. An aerator that saturates the water with oxygen necessary for fish.
2. Pump for filling or draining water.
3. Cleaning filter.
4. A device for sterilizing water and removing dead algae.

Details of creating a pond from film

PVC film, due to its performance qualities and relatively low cost, is one of the most popular materials for pond construction. In addition, in order to make a pond with your own hands from PVC film, no special skills or special knowledge are required.

For arranging reservoirs, you should not use films with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, and if you plan to create a particularly deep reservoir, it is better to take a film with the maximum available thickness.

The use of multi-colored film allows you to achieve different optical effects: black will make the bottom of the reservoir mirror-like, and nearby trees and buildings will be clearly reflected in it, brown film is perfect for simulating the soil bottom, and film of light blue or cream tones will make the reservoir as transparent as possible, which will allow you to conveniently observe the movement of fish.

The selected film should be cut so that it covers the bottom and walls of the reservoir, leaving a margin of up to one meter. The cut pieces must be joined with specialized glue or adhesive tape for such work.

Before digging a pit, you need to carefully consider the size, shape of the bottom and walls of the reservoir. If you plan to create a complex multi-stage design, it is better to first draw on a sheet of paper detailed diagram indicating all sizes.

Having marked the selected area, we begin to dig a hole. It is better to remove soil in the direction from the edges of the future reservoir to the center, gradually going deeper to the required limits. The bottom and walls of the finished pit must be carefully examined for the detection of foreign objects, sharp roots, etc. Any debris found must be removed to prevent damage to the film. We lay the prepared film on the compacted bottom of the pits, fixing it with stones and sprinkling the edges with soil.

Next, you need to strengthen the banks of the pond. For this you can use various materials. For flat banks, geogrid or polymer mesh are suitable; you can also use a regular chain-link mesh. For vertical banks, the use of piles or supports will be required.

You can complete the design of the pond by adding various decorative elements, planting plants and installing underwater or outdoor lighting.

Decoration with plants

When decorating a pond in the garden with plants, you should understand that they are divided into those that are planted on the shore along the edges of the pond, and plants that live directly in the water. The root system of shore plants will additionally strengthen the walls of the pond. When planting plants in a pond in the garden, it is important to keep in mind the speed of their growth, otherwise, after a long absence, there is a risk of finding a pond completely covered with a thick carpet of vegetation.

Decor

In order to decorate a pond in the yard with your own hands, in addition to various plants, beautiful stones and other decorative elements, the use of lighting gives a good effect. The colored glow spreading from under the water will create a wonderful decoration for your pond at night. Additional lighting can also be placed above the water.

You can use various fountains as decor for decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article. The functioning of the fountains is ensured by the operation of pumps, which can be hidden at the bottom of the pond under the stones. Surface devices are also used. Pumps come in different capacities, which affects the height and intensity of the water jets.

Fish

You can add decorative fish to a pond at your dacha, when choosing which it is important to fully understand the conditions under which they are kept. It is worth buying those types of fish that get along well with each other and do not quarrel.

Pond care

A decorative pond at the dacha requires some care. Planted plants must be protected from the cold or transferred to warm room. During a long absence, the surface of an artificial reservoir at the dacha should be covered with a special net to protect it from debris. Leaves and other debris that have fallen into the country pond are caught with a net, and if a large amount of sludge forms, it is necessary to clean the reservoir. The water must be periodically updated using a garden hose or a regular bucket (if specialized equipment is not available).

Photo gallery

In our photo gallery you will see more than 33 examples of beautiful ponds in the country.

After the bustle of the city, your own suburban area seems like a piece of heaven on earth. Flowers are planted here, paths are paved and a lawn is laid out. And, of course, you want to see a pond on your own property. In this article we will tell you how to make a pond with your own hands at your summer cottage.

Types of reservoirs

Reservoirs on the site can be for different purposes, different forms, so different sizes. In addition, they are bodies of water of the following types:

• A pond organized using a plastic mold.

• A pond whose bottom is made of PVC film.

• A pond with a reinforced concrete bowl.

The rigid plastic form is ideal for constructing small ponds located in close proximity to flower beds or paths on the site. Such ponds are easy to install and can be moved from place to place as desired, decorating them with plants or stones in various styles.

Large reservoirs can be equipped with PVC film or concrete with reinforcement. Such artificial reservoirs are usually installed once and are no longer moved. Therefore, when planning a large pond on a site, you need to carefully consider its location, as well as the plants surrounding it.

Where can a pond be located on the site?

Small bodies of water look natural anywhere - near the house, near the flower garden, near the paths. They can be decorated with various plants, stones, small garden figurines, as well as fountains. The great advantage of small reservoirs is the ability to quickly move them from place to place. Thus, you can easily change the look of your own site.

Large ponds need to be placed carefully: firstly, they cannot be moved from place to place as easily as small ponds, the basis of which is a plastic mold. Secondly, they need to be correctly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Organizing a large reservoir requires a lot of preliminary planning and thought, takes a lot of effort and time, but the result can exceed all expectations and allow you to create a unique recreation area on the site.

Suitable materials for construction

What choice should you make – PVC film or concrete? Concrete or plastic mold?

The plastic form is a convenient blank, it will not be difficult to install. It does not require additional waterproofing.

PVC film allows you to create ponds with the most unimaginable edges. However, its service life, although long, is not as long as we would like. Under the influence of low PVC temperatures the film may lose its properties. Typically, the service life of such film is no more than several years.

Concrete is the most difficult material to work with. It requires significant preparatory and construction work: preparation, reinforcement, waterproofing. However, if the construction of a large reservoir with a bridge is required, there is no better building material than concrete with reinforcement.

Pond with hard plastic bowl

1. At the selected location, a hole in the ground is prepared to suit the size of the bowl. To dig a pit of a suitable shape, turn the bowl over and transfer the outline of the bowl to the ground. Don’t forget to make allowances around the edges of the pit of about 15 cm and leave a small margin of depth for the sand backfill of about 5 cm.
2. You can line the prepared pit with thick PVC film. The soil is compacted and the rigid plastic mold is placed in place so that the edges of the bowl are level with the soil.
3. The bowl is leveled, filled with water by about a third, and then the voids between the bowl and the walls of the pit are filled. You can use previously extracted soil for these purposes, but sand is better.
4. As the voids are filled, the soil must be shed with water to avoid severe shrinkage.
5. The edges of the bowl are decorated with stones or water-loving hosta-type plants are planted in close proximity.

Pond with a bowl made of PVC film

1. First you need to mark the boundaries of the reservoir using a cord and wooden stakes, giving it the desired shape. The edges of the pit should be at the same level.
2. Then a hole in the ground of the required depth is dug along the contour.
3. Be sure to remove all stones and roots, they can damage the film.
4. The bottom is covered with sand to a depth of 10 cm, spilled and compacted.
5. Now you need to cover the bottom of the future reservoir with geotextiles.
6. It was the turn of the film. The film must be laid out in the sun in advance to make it more elastic. If the pit cannot be covered in one piece, you need to weld the edges of the parts the right size. The film is laid in such a way that it extends beyond the edges of the reservoir, where it will be pressed against the stones. The perimeter of the reservoir can be decorated with stones or the protruding film can be covered with earth and moisture-loving plants can be planted.

Photo

Pond with reinforced concrete bowl

1. Such a reservoir requires careful preparation. This means that a drawing will be required here, as well as calculations related to determining the approximate consumption.
2. Based on the measurements taken, a pit is prepared, at the bottom of which at least 5 cm of sand must be poured. The sand must be thoroughly compacted. Reinforcement is installed in it, which will support the vertical walls of the reservoir; metal rods are also laid on the bottom, giving the reinforced concrete bowl rigidity and strength.
3. The bottom of the reservoir is filled with concrete. For vertical reinforced walls, you need to prepare formwork. Then fill it with concrete mortar and leave until completely dry.
4. Construction of a reservoir with a reinforced concrete bowl is impossible without good waterproofing. Therefore, you need to treat the resulting bottom and walls of the reservoir with a waterproofing compound, and then think about finishing - PVC film or tiles.

Photo

In addition, for such stationary reservoirs made of PVC film or reinforced concrete, it is necessary to consider a water filtration and purification system. This means connecting electricity to the reservoir and installing special equipment.

Additional accessories in the form of fountains or mini-waterfalls also require both electricity and lighting.

Photo