Alright. I'm looking ahead to potentially getting space and the go-ahead to build a pond setup this Summer, which, if all grows well, will be a good time to settle my commons out there.

I wanted to know what advice everyone had, or resources they knew of... most specifically, I have a couple priorities on the top of the list, and a few I'm not as keen on.


It would be at most in a six-by-six foot space including filter and hedging flagstones/plants/whatever, though I could dig fairly deeply and am willing to put in that grunt work, or stack rocks, or whatever. It would probably be up against the corner of a square wooden fence, though a foot or so away from either side.


First priority is appearance/neighbor concerns. The neighbors can see into our yard, so if it looks trashy, or not from a Better Homes and Gardens catalogue from a quick glance, or smells awful, or is very loud at night, they would likely complain.


Second priority is maintenance -- my family is unlikely to approve something that involves changing out a large deal of water often, or intensive labor on an ongoing basis, or expensive parts replaced often. As I've posted in other areas, I will likely not be living here permanently, though for long enough to enjoy the pond. Filters are alright, but the less effort that needs to be put into ongoing maintenance, the better. If that means doing a hideously larger amount of work up front, then I'm willing to do so.

Third priority is cost -- I will likely have people willing to chip in, but more likely I will bear the main weight of any costs for liners, supplies, or water treatments myself. Again I am willing to run to different sites or troll craigslist for specific items cheaply, or whatever.


Ideally, it's inoffensive, no open tupperware container type things etc, easy to maintain, and relatively inexpensive.

Also, enough gallonage to host three large commons and deal with frequent rains (hello Washington!) would be a good thing.


So, given my impossible list of demands, any ideas? I've looked around the forums for suggestions, but most of what I've found has been either above-ground, extremely visible in the mechanics of it, or requiring massive water changes fairly often.

Ponds are ongoing projects and require a lot of work (especially one the size you are thinking of). During the nice months I am out working in the pond every night after work and then normally several hours on the weekends. There is always something to do or clean.

Is there any way to get around most of the daily/weekly work?

I am willing to dig it four, five feet deep, or take extra care in lining and placement of plants to clean or filter...

And I understand that the occasional attack with a rake to clear out any particularly overgrown tangles is a must... but.. as far as really heavy or time-consuming labor mostly....

I honestly don't think there is a way around it. It takes a lot of work to keep them looking nice. You get sludge at the bottom, leaves and other thing blown into them. You have to check water paramenters to make sure that they are okay. You can get algea (sometimes really bad) and it takes work to get rid of it. Its not like just putting a plant in dirt and watering it once in a while. I personally think it is well worth the work.

I have a pond (in Washington state also ) and while it is a lot of work I would suggest going ahead with it. Since you are in WA (not sure where) if at all possible I highly suggest a trip out to Russel Watergardens - they can give you much good advice (they helped my fiance and I build our pond)

I can suggest to you, if you're going to be using large stones on the inside of your pond how I did, dig it much, MUCH larger than you think you need it to be. You'll be really surpised how much room they take.

Also, I know a good filter is very expensive, but go ahead and invest in one. It is pretty much essential to your success. For awhile before we revamped the pond we had a DIY trash can type filter. Nightmare. Buy a real one

The effort is not something I worry about in setting it up -- I can dig or add or plant or monitor for the first few weeks.

It's really the ongoing maintenance after that that I'm concerned about. I will likely be at my current location for another year or two, but not permanently, and the homeowners have pretty busy lives as it is... I suspect the fish would be given away and the pond filled in if they were required to do extensive maintenance and I was not around to perform it.


An expensive filter may be doable, though it could require some saving and cajoling.

Any suggestions on good filters, or good brands, or anything to look for in them?


And the suggestion about Russel Watergardens is a great one -- I'll have to look them up and take a visit once I have the chance. Thanks!