Create a Beautiful Backyard Water Oasis

Follow this DIY step by step guide to create your own backyard water feature.

By: Jeff Stafford

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Photo By: Courtesy of Aquascape Inc.

Photo By: Image courtesy of Aquascape, www.aquascapeinc.com

How to Create a Pond 101

Want to enhance your backyard with a eco-friendly water feature? Here is an easy to follow guide from the team at Aquascape on how to create a small pond that can include fish, plant life and even a small waterfall. You’ll first need to select a small (8x11), medium (11x16) or large (21x26) ecosystem pond kit.

Step 1: Mark Your Spot

Determine the best location for your pond and use a can of marking paint to draw the shape of it on the ground. Make sure to keep the dimensions true to the size of the kit being used.

Step 2: Perimeter Placement

You’ll want to be able to view this new landscape addition from both inside and outside your house so keep that in mind when you install the BioFalls filter and skimmer along the perimeter of the pond. The BioFalls will be the main source of the waterfalls so position the unit facing those areas.

Step 3: Pipeline Excavation

Lay the flexible pipe that connects the filters and transfers the water from the pump to the waterfalls. The dirt that you excavate for the pipeline is going to be used to create a berm to cover that installation.

Step 4: The Big Hookup

Prepare a flat and stable base for the BioFalls to be set and then hook it up. Make sure the BioFalls unit is level and leaning slightly forward.

Step 5: Can You Dig It?

Now comes the fun part. Excavate the area where the pond will be and incorporate plant shelves near the edges.

Step 6: Aqua Underlay

Make certain you put down the underlayment first, and then place the fish-safe EPDM liner on top. Be sure both the underlayment and liner conform to the shape of the pond and plant shelves.

Step 7: The House Where Skimmer Lives

Your next step is to install the skimmer which will house your pond pump.

Step 8: Hard Rock Party

Exercise your creative side and arrange the rocks in the pond using a variety of boulder sizes.

Step 9: Underwater Lighting

Position the underwater lights between the boulders and secure them in place with small boulders.

Step 10: Mandatory Hose Down

Wash down the rocks with a garden hose from top to bottom a few times and use a clean-out pump to remove the dirty water.

Step 11: Pump Essentials

Attach the plumbing assembly to the pump and lower it down into the skimmer and then connect it.

Step 12: Trim and Mulch

Trim the liner leaving an excess of 6” for edging. Add mulch around the pond to prevent soil erosion.

Step 13: Bring On the Waterfall

Fill the pond with water and build the waterfall, making sure to emulate nature so the waterfalls look natural.

Step 14: Final Checklist

Now that you have installed your pond the last step is to add fish and aquatic plants (both optional) and any additional landscaping features you want to include around it such as sculpture, stepping stones, or garden art.