Reservoirs are equipped with their own hands today, many summer residents. It is necessary to start such work with the choice of the style of the pond, in addition, it is necessary to choose a place for laying this exterior element. Only after that you can proceed to the technical part.
Selection of a style solution
It is important not only to properly equip the pond, but also to make it harmonious in the garden. It is necessary to build on the architectural design of the main building and the layout of the garden. If there is a desire to make the reservoir even more picturesque, then it can be supplemented with a decorative stream, some craftsmen even equip small waterfalls. Be sure to take care of the design of the coastline. In addition, work remains to be done on the pavement of the paths, which implies the need to comply with one key style decision with the concept of the landscape of the garden plot.
When equipping ponds with your own hands, you need to focus on the smoothness and presence of plants. The design, in some cases, is made in the Japanese style, then it suggests the presence of boulders, which may have different dimensions. You can also use conifers, but it is preferable to refuse multi-colored herbs in this case. If you prefer the splendor and brightness of flowers, then you should choose a Chinese-style pond. In this case, the emphasis is on the variegated foliage. You can bring a curved bridge into the exterior. The pond can be made in the style of "nature garden", which involves the use of only local plants that grow in a certain region, while you have to abandon exotic vegetation.
Shape selection
Do-it-yourself ponds can be made in different forms. So, the most concise of all is a strict rectangular. Such configurations will look great next to the building, emphasizing its outlines. An excellently rectangular pond looks in the space of the patio, which is especially true for nearby regular-shaped flower beds. If you want to get an unusual flavor, then it is preferable to supplement an artificial pond with a path that will cross the water surface. It could also be a bridge. It is recommended to lay out an artificial path using stones for this. Quite often, paths are laid using decking boards.
Before you make a pond in the country with your own hands, you should think about the fact that there may be more than one pond. If you use a whole cascade of oversized ponds, then it is best to use the method of water flowing from one bowl to another. If you want to locate the pond in the front area of the site, then for this partterritory it is recommended to use round reservoirs. They will also look great if there is a group of sprawling trees nearby. It is round ponds that are the easiest to implement, for this you only have to use ready-made reinforced concrete rings, which are perfectly capable of replacing wooden tubs, if possible, it is recommended to use plastic containers, and a very budget option will allow you to use car tires in the process of creating.
Choosing the best location for a pond
Before you make a pond in the country with your own hands, you need to think about its location. There are several factors to be taken into account here. First of all, the place should not be constantly exposed to the sun, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid seasonal "blooming". For a certain period of the day, the pond should be located in the shade, this will prevent excessive algae growth. But do not be zealous when choosing a shady place, since in this case the plants around the reservoir will not develop as required. It is important to consider that the water should be exposed to the sun for about five hours a day, in addition, the reservoir should be open from the southwest. You should not choose a place under the crowns of trees, as in autumn the foliage will clog the surface of the water.
When making ponds with your own hands, remember that surface area is also important. Thus, the pond should not exceed 3% of the total area of the site in size. ATIn favor of the smaller option, one can also say that for the arrangement in this case, fewer materials will be spent, in addition, labor costs will not be so impressive.
Features of underwater arrangement
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the depth of the reservoir should preferably be divided into three stages, the first is a zone for planting coastal plants, the second will act as a shallow area for the nymphaeum. This plant is a water lily. As for the third zone, it will be deepened, this is necessary for the wintering of fish, if they are supposed to be bred. It is not necessary to make the pond excessively deep, it will only be necessary to prepare a hole, the depth of which is approximately 150-180 cm, which will overcome the soil freezing line. Thus, it will occupy approximately 1/5 of the area of the reservoir.
Selection of materials
Before you start to equip the reservoir on the site with your own hands, you need to think about the choice of materials. They should allow you to make the design simply and in a short time. If you want the reservoir to last for a long time, then you should choose concrete as the material that will form the basis. However, this technology of work will be the most expensive. In this case, it is necessary not only to prepare the reinforcing cage, but also to install the formwork. The reservoir will turn out not so expensive if you use a plastic container purchased at the store. In order to circulate water,a pump is mounted at the bottom of the structure, from which the liquid goes to the cleaning filter and comes back.
A do-it-yourself pond on a site is most often equipped using a dense film. This option will allow you to work with the most minimal costs.
Preparatory procedures before arranging the pond
Starting work is to create a plan. Here it is important to think about what will act as an accent in the composition of the lake, its role can be played by some unusual stone, sculpture, and even a tree. Next, it is necessary to transfer the contours of the reservoir to the soil surface in the territory where the work is supposed to be carried out. It is recommended to use sand for this. It is necessary to check whether the shores of the lake are at the same level. After that, you can proceed to land work, which involves careful preparation of the pit, which is dug out according to the outline of the future structure. In the process, it is necessary to measure the level of the banks from time to time. It is necessary to use a long level for this, but if this is not in the master’s arsenal, then you should take a long board, putting a fifty-centimeter level on it.
Earthworks
If you decide to equip a pond in the country with your own hands, you need to think through step by step what steps you have to overcome. So, at the next stage, it is necessary to prepare a foundation pit, pulling it to the depth of the coastal tier. The next step is to markup, which will allow you to determinethe place of deepening of the pond to the next mark. As soon as the master manages to form the second tier, you can start laying a line for digging the buried part of the pond. Only after that you can save the necessary space from the last portion of the earth. It is very difficult to carry out such work, so it is preferable to use the services of specialists working on a mini-excavator.
If you decide to dig a pit on your own, then you need to be prepared for the fact that water will accumulate at its bottom. You can deal with this by using a pump. After it was possible to prepare the pit, using a fishing line, you can measure its dimensions, taking into account the depth, to which you have to add allowances on the sides of the bowl, equal to fifty centimeters. This will be needed in order to determine the dimensions of the film for purchase.
Covering the pond bowl
If you intend to equip a pond in the country with your own hands, you need to think step by step about what work should be done. The next step is to prepare the bottom of the bowl, for this it is covered with a film. In order for the main film not to be damaged by plant roots, as well as stones, it is necessary to lay a layer of geotextile before laying it. To do this, you can use the old linoleum, and some use roofing material. Preparation may also include the backfilling of sand, which is then carefully rammed.
The film will become more elastic if it is laid in bright sunlight.
Edging
When a do-it-yourself pond is made, the photo of whichpresented in the article, you will have to work on the edge. Why along the perimeter it is necessary to prepare an auxiliary trench, this will allow you to first tuck, and then fix the film. After the edges of the film are laid in the trench, they need to be sprinkled with crushed stone. The edge is securely fixed with stone blocks; you can also use pipes that are nailed to pegs. Further, the edge is decorated with stone and boulders. Now you can arrange the plants in containers and set them on curtains. The bottom should be lined with stones and rubble.
Filling water
When making small ponds with your own hands, the next step is to think about how to fill the water. In order to avoid stagnation of the liquid, it is preferable to use a stream. Why the source of the stream must be raised above the level of the reservoir, and water will be supplied from the bowl using a submersible pump.
Pump connection
Before you make a pond with your own hands, it is imperative to think about the choice of equipment. After the pump is installed at the bottom, it is necessary to stretch the pipes to the source of the stream so that it can be connected to the filter. The cleaning filter must be pressurized.
Conclusion
When equipping a pond in the garden with your own hands (photos of examples are presented in the article), it is important to remember that during operation the lake will need to be prevented. Special tools will help prevent the occurrence and further spread of algae. Before the onset of winter, you need to take the plants to a cool place at home. Not worth ituse when decorating the banks of pellets that have the same diameter, as this causes a boring look of the lake. Large stones should be stacked with small ones.
Before you make a pond with your own hands, the photo of which should be considered even before the start of work, it must be taken into account that if the pond is very deep, then the walls must be made sheer. It is not recommended to make the pond too deep if it is not supposed to breed fish in it, as this will be more expensive and will not affect the appearance in any way. If you decide to start working on the lake on your site, then you should not immediately start arranging a large reservoir. It is preferable to first make a mini-pond. This will eliminate some errors. A pond, a pond with your own hands can be done without outside help, but it will be difficult to do this. Well, if the budget includes funds for the use of the services of special heavy equipment, this will greatly simplify the work of the home master.
