There is, perhaps, nothing more soothing and peaceful than the sound of moving water or the sight of a still pond or lake as the sun sets. You can achieve this soothing concept in your own backyard when you add a pond to your landscaping. If you have a beautiful outdoor living space and you want to spice it up with a new feature, a pond can be the perfect addition to a beautifully landscaped backyard. You can choose to fill your pond with beautiful fish, install a gorgeous fountain, or illuminate it with lights. Many consumers feel that pond installation is too complicated for them to attempt; in fact, installing a pond is relatively simple.

Adding a Fish Pond to your Landscaping

If you are going to install a pond in your back yard, the first thing that you will need to select is the dimensions and size of your pond. Many home improvement stores sell pond shells which come in predesigned shapes and sizes. A pond shell is a heavy duty plastic reservoir that can be placed directly in the ground and filled with water. If you don't want a premade pond shell, you can design your own pond by digging out the shape that you want and lining the hole with sand and heavy duty plastic. Pond design and construction tutorials can be found online.

Installing a Fountain or Water Feature

It is important to remember that if you are planning to have fish or other aquatic life in your pond you will need to install an aeration pump or a fountain so that the water in your pond contains enough oxygen to support life. A fountain can be a beautiful addition to a pond, and you can find all the materials you need to install a fountain at your local hardware store. You can choose to either run an extension cord above ground for your pond or install PVC piping below ground through which you can run electric cords.

Pond Maintenance

Carefully maintaining your pond is very important. One aspect of pond maintenance is shocking your pond to eliminate the growth of algae or the development of insect larvae. If this task is not completed regularly, your pond can quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests that will ruin the serenity of your outdoor space. You may also wish to dye the water in your pond so that it looks more attractive to the eye. You can find pond water treatment chemicals at your local hardware store.

Ideas for Pond Installation and Design

There are many ways that you can construct your pond for maximum enjoyment. One great way to integrate your pond into your landscaping is by surrounding your pond with beautiful stones or building a berm around your pond and planting water plants. You can also create a lighted path from your deck or patio to the pond so that guests can enjoy walking to and from your pond after dark.

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