Raised garden ponds are a gorgeous addition to any outdoor space. The soothing sound of running water and lively fish instantly enhance your backyard. But a stunning pond doesn’t just happen on its own. Careful planning and choosing the right elements are key to creating a balanced ecosystem in your raised pond. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about what to put in a raised garden pond.
The Essentials for a Thriving Raised Pond
Every pond needs certain components to maintain clean water and support aquatic life. The basic elements to include in a raised garden pond are:
- Protective liner: Choose from plastic, rubber, or fiberglass liners. Ensure no sharp edges can puncture the liner.
- Pump and filter: Necessary for water circulation and cleaning. BOGF filters with aquatic plants are ideal.
- Plumbing: Flexible tubing, fittings, and check valves to connect pump to filter and water features.
- Water plants: Floating and marginal plants help absorb nutrients and provide shade and oxygen.
- Fish: Koi and goldfish add vibrant life but increase the bioload. Start with just a few.
- Rocks and gravel: Use along the edges and bottom for a natural look. Go with smooth river rocks.
- Beneficial bacteria: Products with helpful bacteria keep water balanced and clear.
Fun Extras to Elevate Your Raised Pond
Once you have the basic components installed it’s time for the fun stuff! Decorative additions make a raised garden pond truly magical. Consider including
- Waterfalls and fountains: Add the soothing sounds of splashing water and oxygen.
- Lighting: LED pond lights illuminate water features at night for stunning effects. Go with solar power.
- Decorative rocks: Stack interesting rocks and boulders around the pond edges and integrate cave-like hideaways.
- Plants and trees: Surround the pond with gorgeous marginals like irises and water lilies for added beauty.
- Wildlife shelters: Mini islands, floating logs, and mushroom shelters attract frogs, turtles, and birds.
- Ornamental statues: Carefully chosen statues or ceramic animals bring whimsical charm.
- Deck or patio: Build a deck or patio with the pond as a centerpiece for an inviting space to relax by the water.
Best Plants for Raised Garden Ponds
Plants are vital to pond ecosystems. When selecting plants, aim to include:
- Surface coverage: Floating hearts, water hyacinths, and water lettuce help shade and oxygenate the water.
- Oxygenators: Hornwort, anacharis, and cabomba are submerged plants that oxygenate and filter.
- Marginals: Cattails, arrowheads, umbrella palms, and cannas add vertical interest along the edges.
- Lilies: Water lilies come in many varieties with beautiful blooms. They shade fish and absorb nutrients.
Ideal Fish for Raised Ponds
You’ll want to populate your pond with lively, colorful fish. Some top choices include:
- Koi: Prized for their brilliant colors and patterns, koi are hardy. They need at least 100 gallons per fish.
- Goldfish: Common and inexpensive, goldfish add eye-catching shimmering orange, white, black or combinations.
- Mosquitofish: These small surface dwellers devour mosquito larvae and help control pests.
- Weather loaches: Fun scavengers that gobble up debris and algae along the bottom. Their wriggling entertains.
- Catfish: Help manage insects, larvae, snails and waste. Provide shelter for shy catfish.
Building and Maintaining a Thriving Ecosystem
Follow this step-by-step guide to build a balanced raised pond ecosystem:
- Dig out and shape the pond, allowing 1-2 feet depth. Install protective liner.
- Add gravel or smooth stones along the bottom for fish comfort.
- Install pump, filter, plumbing and any water features like a waterfall.
- Plant marginal plants first, then oxygenators and surface coverage plants.
- Let plants establish for 3-4 weeks before introducing a starter group of 2-3 fish.
- Test water quality frequently and perform partial water changes as needed.
- Remove debris and trim back plants to keep them under control as the pond matures.
- In winter, reduce feeding frequency and use a de-icer like a bubbler to prevent freezing.
Common Raised Pond Problems and Solutions
Even well-designed ponds can run into issues. Stay vigilant for problems like
Green water: Caused by algae; install a UV clarifier to kill algae. Shade the water with plants.
Muddy water: Indicates excess sediments; use flocculants to clear and clean filter often.
Stringy algae Aggressive hair algae; remove manually and use an algaecide if severe,
Fish gasping at surface: Low oxygen levels; increase aeration and water circulation.
Pump clogs: Clean pump impellers and change filter media if flow is reduced.
Damaged plants: Could be pests like snails or nutrient deficiencies; address underlying causes.
Maintaining a Healthy Ecosystem
With routine care and fixing issues promptly, your raised pond will flourish for years to come. Follow these maintenance tips:
- Feed fish sparingly, only what they can consume in 5 minutes about 2-3 times weekly.
- Test pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates weekly and adjust as needed.
- Prune back plants each spring and thin excess plants to keep the pond balanced.
- Clean filters monthly and change media as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Skim away fallen debris and use a pond vacuum for deeper cleanings whenever you notice an accumulation of muck.
- Inspect pumps and equipment regularly for signs of damage or reduced flow.
- Watch for signs of disease in fish like spots, frayed fins or clamped fins and treat promptly.
- Net out leaves before they sink and decompose.
- Observe plants and fish closely to catch problems early. Early intervention prevents disasters!
Raised Garden Pond Design Inspiration
Need inspiration for your perfect backyard oasis? Here are some beautiful raised pond designs:
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A rustic stacked stone pond with a gentle waterfall flowing into a shimmering koi pond below.
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A formal, geometric pond with fountain centerpiece surrounded by paved pathways and container gardens.
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A pondless fountain with water emerging from a stone wall to create the sounds of water without the maintenance of a full pond.
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A terraced pond with water cascading from level to level surrounded by lush marginal plants.
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A raised pond with wooden deck built around it, perfect for placing chairs close to the water.
Let your imagination run wild when planning your ideal raised garden pond! With the right combination of essential elements, decor, plants and fish, you can create a spectacular pond paradise right at home in your own backyard.
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FAQ
How to fill a raised pond?
What is good in the bottom of a pond?
Are raised garden ponds a good idea?
Raised ponds are a great way to add a water feature to your backyard space without having to dig a hole. Their simple and (sometimes) easy-to-install design has made them a popular choice with homeowners. Let’s look at 12 raised garden pond ideas to help you design the perfect above-ground water feature for your backyard!
What are some DIY raised pond ideas?
This small DIY raised pond idea has a triangular shape which makes it a fantastic corner garden idea. They’ve used a preformed pond, so no lining is required around it making it easier to install. Pebbles are used to fill in around the pond and some matching larger pavers or concrete blocks are stacked to create the walls.
How many raised garden pond ideas are there?
Let’s look at 12 raised garden pond ideas to help you design the perfect above-ground water feature for your backyard! Use the arrows or drag the images left or right to view the slideshow. From small to medium-sized raised pond ideas to raised koi pond ideas, you’ll find the inspiration you need for your next pond project!
What is a DIY raised garden bed pond idea?
This DIY raised garden bed pond idea features a preformed pond liner which is ideal for a DIY project. Preformed liners are simple to install and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. This raised pond is built to look like an outdoor raised garden bed next to the deck.