A garden pond can bring countless benefits to your outdoor space, such as:

• Adding a focal point to your garden: A well-maintained pond can become a tranquil and calming place for you to enjoy.
• Connecting with nature: Ponds attract all sorts of wildlife, such as frogs, dragonflies, and birds to your garden.
• Offering a place to relax: Relaxing by a pond is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet while you gather your thoughts.
• Easy to maintain: Many ponds are low-maintenance and require little upkeep.

Choosing a good spot for your garden pond is crucial for its success. Firstly, consider the amount of sunlight the area receives.

Then, make sure any pond plants you are adding will  have access to direct sunlight to thrive. If possible make sure the ponds location is away from trees or large shrubs, as falling leaves can make maintenance challenging.

Be sure to assess the terrain avoiding areas that are prone to flooding or low-lying spots that may collect excess rainwater. Lastly, consider the proximity to utilities such as water and electricity, as they may be needed.

If you plan to keep fish or have a water feature, a larger pond is best to accommodate their needs, although there are many options for small compact ponds as well.

As a general rule of thumb, a pond should be at least 10 ft wide and have a depth of 2-3 feet to provide sufficient space for plants and fish. However, if space is limited, smaller pre-formed ponds, mini ponds or raised ponds  can still offer a charming water feature for your garden.

Think about your garden, choosing a size that complements the landscape without overpowering it.

Many fish species can blossom in a garden pond. Common choices include goldfish, koi carp, and shubunkins.

Be sure to give your fish time to adjust to their new environment. Likewise, research the fish you are considering, to ensure they are compatible with each other and their surroundings.

When selecting fish, consider the weather and environment, like pH levels and water temperature. Also, add plenty of plants for shelter.

Most aquatic plants require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow and be healthy. Sunlight helps to keep the water warm, aiding fish and other organisms that live in it. It also helps to provide your plants with the necessary nutrients for them to survive.

For the best conditions, choose a spot that draws a good amount of sunlight. However, be sure to provide shade as well, as too much direct sunlight can cause algae blooms and other problems.

It’s essential to prepare your pond for winter to protect plants, fish, and the overall ecosystem during the colder months. Start by removing any fallen leaves or debris from the pond, as they can release harmful substances as they decompose.

Trim back any aquatic plants and remove any that may not survive the winter. If you have fish, make sure to gradually reduce their feeding as the temperature drops.

Consider installing a pond heater or de-icer to prevent the water from freezing completely, as this can harm the fish and plants. Finally, cover the pond with a net or pond cover to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in during the winter months.

Waterfalls add a beautiful visual element and are relatively easy to install. There are many pre-made waterfalls and water spitters available, so make sure to research all the options before making a decision.

If you want the sound of running water without a waterfall, consider installing a fountain instead. Fountains come in various sizes and styles and can be as elaborate or simple as you like.

No matter which type of water feature you choose, follow all the instructions carefully while installing them.

For more information on how to get the most out of your equipment, please see – Your Pond – equipment & care.

For every square metre of pond surface area, you can have 60cm length of adult fish (don’t include the tail in this measurement). See our fish article for more information.

The average length x average depth x average width in metres, multiplied by 1000 will give the volume in litres. The average length x average depth x average width in feet, multiplied by 6.23 will give the volume in gallons. Alternatively please use the Dosage Calculator page to help.

Pond foam is caused by surfactants which are attracted to the surface of air bubbles and strengthen the bubble so it does not pop, but creates an unsightly foam.  These surfactants may be artificial chemicals such as detergents.  However, the most common cause of pond foam is high levels of protein, from the partial breakdown of organic matter, building up in the pond.
There are a number of products available which are effectively wetting agents, which affect the surface energy of the bubbles, causing them to pop, and therefore break up the foam.  However, it is also necessary to find the cause and eliminate that also.  We also recommend the following:
– Carrying out water changes to dilute the surfactants.
– Removing excess sludge from the bottom of the pond.
– Checking that the fish stocking level is not excessive; maximum of 60cm of adult fish (i.e. 6 x 10cm fish) to every square metre of surface area.
– Adding Sludge Buster to remove dead organic matter.

For a new pond, set up your pond and filter, adding a measure of Wildlife Pond Tap Safe or Fresh Start when you fill. With the filter running (you can run your fountain or waterfall at this stage), leave it all to settle for a minimum of 24-48 hours to ensure everything is working correctly and allow the water temperature to stabilise.
Adding some Bio Start will help to kick-start the filter by adding the ‘friendly bacteria’ required to break down fish waste.
Spring and early summer are a good time of year to add new fish as they will have plenty of time to settle in and grow to a healthy size to face the cold of winter. Only add a couple of fish at a time to prevent overloading the filtration system. Do not overfeed your fish.

It is very important to feed your fish the correct amount so as not to ‘over feed’ and pollute the water. Feed as much as the fish will eat in five to ten minutes or so. They sometimes come back for second helpings – so give them a chance – but remove any food left when they appear to have had their fill. If you leave uneaten food in the water it will breakdown and create water quality problems. For more information see our feeding article.

Feeding your fish is part of the pleasure of keeping them. However, overfeeding can cause harm to the balance of the pond water. ‘Overfeeding’ equates to too much food being leftover at mealtimes which turns into harmful compounds in the pond. Any food you put in the pond should be consumed within a few minutes. Anything left after this time should be scooped out with a fine fish net.

If your fish are showing signs of being unwell, or have obvious disease on them, you can use or diagnostic page to ascertain what is wrong and how to treat it.