Your First Pond

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06600840erlcjm.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Hahn's Ponds</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hahns Ponds"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Education"><U><IMG SRC="0b2c2360.png" border=0 width="194" height="54" ALT="Bitmap Image" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="06011c00egdysm.png"> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="09aaf620.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="98" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Your First Pond</div> <div> Ponds come in all shapes and sizes. You  can purchase a complete kit, you can purchase a hard preformed liner, or you can purchase a pond safe liner. Keep in mind that when you are digging your hole, if you have purchased a preform, you will have to dig that shape. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tools that will be needed:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">strong liner (heavy-duty vinyl) </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">underliner </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">biological filter </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">pump to circulate the water </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">fountain supplies                                        </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">water hose </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">rope or string</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">edging </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">stones or blocks </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">plastic crates to elevate plants </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">shovel for digging the hole </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">spade for digging straight sides </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">tape measurer </div> <bR> <div> Before you do anything, have an idea of what is will look like by checking your view from different windows, or on your deck. Start thinking shape and size. Try to stay high ground because rain tends to go to low ground and your pond may overflow or become boggy. </div> <bR> <div> Layout your hole with rope, string, or a garden hose. Determine the shape you are looking for and go ahead and dig your hole. </div> <bR> <div> Select your pond liner and supplies by using these measurements:</div> <bR> <div> <B>Liner Size - width + 2x's depth + 2' overlap=WIDTH</B></div> <div> <B>                                     length + 2x's depth + 2' overlap =LENGTH</B></div> <div> Lay your underliner down first. Some use sand on top of this but we caution that sand shifts so be careful. </div> <bR> <div> Unfold the liner as you put it in the hole, making sure there is plenty overlapping on both sides. Smooth out the big wrinkles (small wrinkles are ok), and fold the corners for a neat appearance. </div> <bR> <div> To keep the water in your pond from becoming stagnant, you need a pump. Choose a pump that can recirculate one-third to one-half of the pond water every hour. For a waterfall or other feature, use a bigger pump. Use the formula to help determine your pump size:</div> <div> <B>Gallons - length x width x depth x 7.25= GALLONS</B></div> <div> Most pumps come with a filter, but you can add a biological filter to extend the life of your pump, keep the water cleaner and maintain the proper biological ecosystem. While filling the pond with water, place the pump, biofilter and fountain into the pond on a plastic crate, in a corner of the pond to allow room for a few plants. A water bell fountain head allows water to flow smoothly over the top, like a mushroom. It attaches to the pump, and a riser pushes the water to the top. </div> <bR> <div> Fill the pond about two-thirds full and adjust the folds and creases in the liner as the pond fills. Let the water sit for a few days so that any chlorine in the water dissipates. If you are anxious to introduce fish and plants right away, add a de-chlorinator to the water. </div> <bR> <div> With the pond about three-fourths full, place rocks on top of the liner around the ledge. The liner goes behind the rocks and folds back over the top. Next, place the  more rocks or stones on top of the ledge. Keep in mind, any rocks or stones put into the pond should be washed completely to remove any contaminates and dirt. Make sure there are no sharp edges.</div> <bR> <div> Congratulations! You have built a pond. </div> <div> <B>                  <IMG SRC="08f78300.png" border=0 width="120" height="48" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>