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Garden ponds have become so popular that many homes now enjoy the ambience. If you want something small and more intimate, a nice indoor pond would be ideal. If you want something more elaborate, you could create a Japanese garden pond with lily pads and Koi fish.

Therefore, if you want your pond to attract wildlife, be sure you use only special water treatments not to harm them. Water ponds can be made by digging out earth and pouring concrete to setting a prefabricated liner into the hole. Most often, these ponds are about three to five feet in diameter and with the addition of a fountain, statue, some plants, rocks, and perhaps a light fixture.

You can create a wonderful pond by using an old half-whiskey barrel, found at most hardware and home improvement stores. By lining the bottom with a special black, plastic liner, you can add a pump, a water fountain, a few fish and plants, and have a beautiful pond.

Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design.

Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. Choose plants for your pond that will fit into your overall garden design. Water plants are dramatically different to normal plants.Soil nutrients constantly leached into pond water could result in green water. To overcome this, retain the media (soil) by placing gravel on top of the soil in the pot. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. The sun can also cause the water to go green.

Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. The straw seems to promote as organism that feeds off the algae. Straw needs to be replaced on a regular basis as it will start to decompose and pollute the water. I suggest you replace the straw every six months.

Garden Pond Safety Do not overlook safety in your design. Water is always a hazard especially for small children Design your pond with child safety in mind A sturdy stainless steel grid a few inches under the water surface should provide protection on a deep pond A safer bet would be to have a shallow pond where small children will be able to crawl out of the pond Whatever design you decide on should adequately address this issue No matter how beautiful a design, it can never warrant the loss of a child or a pets life.