Sizing Your Outdoor Pond

Pond size is not a simple matter. On your pond plan, it may be as simple as drawing a few lines, but in reality, the size of your outdoor pond will affect its every aspect. Think about it: a small pond is easy and cheap to build but in the long run, it will limit the amount of pond ideas you can try. Large ponds are more flexible, but you should be prepared for the time and money you have to invest in making, and eventually, maintaining the pond.

But that's only the practical side of pond sizing. Obviously, you also want to size your pond to make it look good. Scale your pond to match your property. The pond is a part of your garden and should blend in. You don't want it to be overwhelming large or negligibly small. The size should also match its purpose. If you want a formal pond, keep it small and neat. For the natural look, you want a large, sprawling pond.

Make Space for your Pond Life

Living things need space to grow. This holds true for plant and fish, alike. Build your outdoor pond large enough so that every organism living in it has a chance to live and breed.

Small ponds tend to get over-stocked which threatens your pond with stagnation and possibly even death. On the other hands, large ponds require a lot of plant and aquatic life; otherwise it looks ugly and bare.

Aside from that, you'll also need to invest more in fish pond supplies and equipment. A small budget is ever the frustration of a home pond builder.

How Pond Size Affects Pond Health

Aeration, waste disposal, water cycling, and temperature moderation all contribute to pond health. You can handle these things with pumps, filter, and other equipment, but it is best if it occurs naturally. And to achieve this, you need a well designed pond.

A lot of first-time pond builders like to plan on a small scale, thinking that it will be easier that way. They soon regret their decisions when it turns out they don't have enough space to try out all their pond ideas. What they also don't realize is that large ponds are more forgiving for a newbie water gardener. When a large pond encounters a problem, it takes longer for it to succumb to the damage.

In the end, just remember that the size of your pond affects how healthy and balanced it will be.

Pond Sizing Advice

You can save yourself a lot of hardship and frustration by choosing the right size for your outdoor pond. Ensure that you consider the size of your property, the amount of fish and plants you plan to have, your equipment and other such things. You could also take a few tips from your neighbors. What works for them will most likely work as well for you.

Want to find out more about Pond Building, then visit Michael W.'s site on how to build the best outdoor pond for your needs and dreams.