Pond this spring??? maybe

[Slopster]

Hi everyone I'm thinking of putting in a pond in the backyard this spring, would also like to have a waterfall feature also, going to do it all myself and this will be the first time I have ever ventured into this, not sure what i may or may not get myself into? (it may not happen at all just depends on what my wife says)
But my question is what is the best means of doing it? Premade liner or a simply tub of sorts, what type of pumps ,rocks, do i need gravel in the bottom,plants,filtration, basically all the jazz.
As far as size goes more than likely the size of a 8-10 person hot tub,
Also i live right across 176th st in Cloverdale and across 176th is the Millenium park where there is a good size pond and it houses alot of herons, will that be a factor that needs to be adressed, I haven't seen them fly over but if they do and notice what I have will they take up residence in my back yard??
Any info would be great..

Thanks in advance..

Rob..

[STANKYfish]

I can tell you one thing for sure.....once the herons find your pond...which they will....you will need to put a deterrant such as (my fav) electric fence

[TomC]

As far as using a premade liner or a tub goes, that depends on size. To see a nice big tub with koi, go to the fair grounds next to millenium park. In the parking lot near the agriplex is a mobile home with a huge tub of koi.

[theinnkeeper]

8-10 person hot tube. Probably somewhere between 800-1200 gallons. Just need to dig a real big hole. Liner some soil another liner. Filter and Pump. Some rocks around the edges would also be good. Ponds don't really require much maintenance once its set up. AND NET!!

You need an "pond" filter probably with UV stabilizer and a pump to connect to the filter and waterfall. Make sure you don't but a pump/filter that is just enough for your pond, always go higher.

The deeper the better as it allows them to hide and heats/cools at a slower pace. Good Luck

[Slopster]

I can tell you one thing for sure.....once the herons find your pond...which they will....you will need to put a deterrant such as (my fav) electric fence

Hmmm wonderful...is there any other type of deterrant?

[TomC]

A net over the pond works too.

[kelownaguy]

I used an old 10 foot satelite dish.About 600 gallons.
Don`t know if it is the best way or not,but,it sure was simple. Didn`t even bury it in the ground.
Edges are lined w/rocks and plants.Hardly anyone realizes it is an old dish.
I like the idea that I could relocate it in one day if I wanted too.
I made a waterfall on one side w/a large rockpile.
No dedicated filter.No UV.No heater.
Electric fence is an important accessory,though.

My fish stay outside all year despite the shallow depth.
Ice got too thick and waterfall froze during the recent spell of -18 temps so I left a garden hose trickling in.All is well.
I have unoxygenated unchlorinated well water ,but,I`m pretty sure you could get away w/pukey chlorinated city water too if the trickle was slow enough.

Over all,I consider it one of my better ideas.
Maintenence is so much less than an aquarium it isn`t funny.

The local wildlife will come for a visit too.
Birds, coons, snakes. Haven`t had the herons yet(touch wood), but I`m nervous when they fly over.
Try one.You`ll like it.