How to make a small pond in the country. Do-it-yourself pond in the country: consider how to make a decorative pond step by step with a photo. Basic materials and tools for making a pond with your own hands

After the bustling city of your own suburban area seems like a piece of heaven on earth. Flowers are planted here, paths are paved and the lawn is arranged. And, of course, I want to see a reservoir on my own site. In this article we will tell you how to make a pond with your own hands at their summer cottage.

Types of reservoirs

Reservoirs on the site can be as for various purposes, different forms, and different sizes. In addition, they are reservoirs of the following types:

A body of water organized with a plastic mold.

Pond, the bottom of which is made of PVC film.

body of water with reinforced concrete bowl th.

Rigid plastic mold ideal for construction small reservoirs located in the immediate vicinity of the flower beds or paths on the site. Such reservoirs are easy to mount and can be moved from place to place at will, decorating them with plants or stones in various styles.

Ponds, large in size, can be equipped with pvc film or concrete with reinforcement. Such artificial reservoirs are usually mounted once and are no longer transferred. Therefore, when planning a large reservoir on the site, you need to carefully consider its location, as well as the plants surrounding it.

Where can you place a reservoir on the site

Small ponds organically look anywhere - next to the house, near the flower garden, near the paths. They can be decorated various plants, stones, small garden figurines, as well as fountains. The great advantage of small reservoirs is the ability to quickly transfer them from place to place. Thus, you can easily change the appearance of your own site.

Large ponds need to be placed thoughtfully: firstly, they cannot be moved from place to place as easily as small ponds, the basis of which is a plastic form. Secondly, they need to fit correctly into the surrounding landscape. The organization of a large reservoir requires a long preliminary planning and thinking, it takes a lot of time and effort, but the result can exceed all expectations and allow you to create a unique recreation area on the site.

Suitable building materials

What choice to make - PVC film or concrete? Concrete or plastic mold?

The plastic form is a convenient blank, it will not be difficult to put it. It does not need additional waterproofing.

PVC film allows you to create reservoirs with the most unimaginable edges. However, its service life, although long, is not as long as we would like. Under influence low temperatures PVC film may lose its properties. Typically, the service life of such a film is not more than a few years.

Concrete is the most difficult material to work with. It requires considerable preparation and construction works: preparation, reinforcement, waterproofing. However, if the construction of a large reservoir with a bridge is required, a building material better than concrete with reinforcement cannot be found.

Pond with hard plastic bowl

At the selected location, a hole in the ground is prepared to fit the size of the bowl. To dig a pit of a suitable shape, turn the bowl over and transfer the outline of the bowl to the ground. Do not forget to make allowances along the edges of the pit of about 15 cm and leave a small margin of depth for sand bedding of about 5 cm.
You can line the prepared pit with a dense PVC film. The soil is compacted, after which the hard plastic mold placed in place so that the edges of the bowl are at ground level.
The bowl is leveled, filled with water by about a third, and then the voids between the bowl and the walls of the pit are filled up. You can use previously excavated soil for these purposes, but sand is better.
As the voids are filled, it is necessary to spill the soil with water to avoid strong shrinkage.
The edges of the bowl are decorated with stones or planted in the immediate vicinity of water-loving host plants.

pond with pvc bowl

First you need to mark the boundaries of the reservoir with a cord and wooden stakes, giving it the desired shape. The edges of the pit should be at the same level.
Then, along the contour, they dig a hole in the soil of the desired depth.
Be sure to remove all stones and roots, they can damage the film.
The bottom is covered with sand by 10 cm, spilled and compacted.
Now you need to cover the bottom of the future reservoir with geotextiles.
The turn of the film has come. The film must be spread out in the sun in advance so that it becomes more elastic. If the pit cannot be covered in a single piece, you need to weld the edges of the parts of the desired size. The film is laid in such a way that it extends beyond the edges of the reservoir, where it will be pressed by stones. The perimeter of the reservoir can be decorated with stones or the protruding film can be covered with earth and moisture-loving plants can be planted.

A photo

Pond with reinforced concrete bowl

Such a reservoir requires careful preparation. This means that a drawing is required here, as well as calculations regarding the determination of the approximate flow rate.
According to the measurements made, a pit is prepared, on the bottom of which at least 5 cm of sand must be poured. The sand must be carefully compacted. Reinforcement is installed in it, which will support the vertical walls of the reservoir; metal bars are also laid on the bottom, giving the reinforced concrete bowl rigidity and strength.
The bottom of the reservoir is poured with concrete. For vertical reinforced walls, formwork must be prepared. Then pour it concrete mortar and leave until completely dry.
Arrangement of a reservoir with a reinforced concrete bowl is impossible without good waterproofing. Therefore, you need to process the resulting bottom and walls of the reservoir with a waterproofing compound, and then think about finishing - PVC film or tile.

A photo

In addition, for such stationary reservoirs made of PVC film or reinforced concrete, it is necessary to think over a system for filtering and water purification. This means bringing electricity to the reservoir and installing special equipment.

Additional accessories in the form of fountains or mini-waterfalls also need both electricity and lighting.

A photo

Foreword

There are a lot of options for creating ponds in the country with your own hands: someone uses improvised materials, and if desired and with a sufficient level of skills, you can build a solid, monolithic structure.

Required Tools and materials

Concrete mixerBituminous masticBulgarianStoneBrushShovelMaster OKA hammerknifeGlovesSandPolypropylene pipesPolyethylene filmAxeCementrubble

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Content

There are a lot of options for creating ponds in the country with your own hands: someone uses improvised materials, and if desired and with a sufficient level of skills, you can also build a solid, monolithic structure. Here you will learn how to make a pond out of tires, how to create a pond with an alpine mini-slide, and also how to equip a landscaped pond with a waterfall in the garden.

How to make a pond from a tire (tire) in the country with your own hands

In order to make a pond from a tire in the country with your own hands, you will need the following materials and tools:

old sink;
old car tire;
shovel;
crushed stone;
sand;
polyethylene film;
decorative rock;
pump and hoses;
aquatic plants.

To create a two-level pond from a tire with your own hands, you can take an old tire from the rear wheel of a tractor (you can get it at a tire shop) and an ordinary old sink.

Look at the photo - do-it-yourself bunk ponds in the country, in ready-made look very impressive, although it is somewhat more difficult to arrange them than a regular pond:

In addition to these basic construction details, you will need a strong plastic sheet (preferably black), a special pump and a garden hose, as well as finishing material taste.

Before you make a pond out of a tire with your own hands, you need to prepare the tire: carefully cut off the side part on one side so that you get a kind of pool with a hole in the middle. This hole must be closed using cold welding for rubber and pieces of rubber cut into long strips (you can use the material that remained when cutting one of the side parts of the tire).

Next, you need to put the tire on the site and outline its contour on the ground. Dig a hole along the contour, make a drainage layer 10 cm deep on the sides, and 20 cm deep. To make a pond from a tire, the bottom of the future reservoir should be covered with a layer of rubble (15 cm) and a layer of sand (5-7 cm ). Next, a tire is placed in the hole.

Then follows a solid canvas polyethylene film cover the entire tire, filling all the recesses with the film as much as possible and leaving another 60 cm of this material around the edges. Inside the tire, the film must be pressed down with stones. The same must be done outside. After that, it is necessary to pour water so that the film is completely straightened.

Further, when creating a pond from a tire with your own hands, you need to fill the ends of the film under the tire, press down and fill the free space between the tire and the walls of the pit with wet sand. This will be a kind of drainage layer and at the same time a fixative for the film, which guarantees no leaks in the future.

How to make a pond with your own hands in several levels? An old sink is used to form the second level. On one side of the tire, you need to form a slide from decorative stone so that the slope towards the tire is gentle, and at the very top there is a platform with a sink.

When laying out stones, it is necessary to place a piece of garden hose inside the structure, through which water will flow into the sink, and in the form of a waterfall flow down the slope back to the lower pond. To do this, you need to install the sink in such a way that its edge, through which water will flow onto the slope of the hill, is slightly sloped.

As you can see in the photo, in the pond with your own hands, the pump can be installed at the top, decorating it with a bush or a large stone:

The stones that make up the slide can be fixed with the help, while trying to make sure that the traces of the hitch are not visible from the outside.

The sides of the upper and lower ponds in the country house made of tires with your own hands should be decorated with the same stone from which the stone slide is made. The lower reservoir must be lined with larger stones, and the upper - with small ones. inner surface sinks also need to be decorated with pebbles and sand, using special glue for fastening. When creating a pond on a site at the bottom of a large reservoir, several large stones should be placed, then sprinkled with river sand. Pots with already planted aquatic plants are very convenient to arrange among the stones, then they will not be noticeable.

Such a pond can even be decorated with aquarium fish, and the upper small pond can be decorated with algae or plants hanging down.

The video "Do-it-yourself pond from tires" will help you better understand the technology for making a decorative reservoir:

Do-it-yourself pond with an alpine slide and a photo of the design of the pond

To make an alpine slide with a pond with your own hands, it is better to use a natural gentle slope with a recess under it.

To work, you will need the following material:

waterproof waterproofing material for the device of the bottom of the reservoir (butyl rubber or PVC film UV);
geofelt;
large gravel;
aquaclay (for fixing stones);
tumbled flagstone with rounded edges;
sand and gravel;
pumping unit and hoses.

For Alpine slide and a pond with your own hands, first you need to prepare a place for the construction of a cascade pond, you need to dig a hole according to the size of the pond, sprinkle it with sand, and compact it. Then you should outline the trajectory of the cascade.

Next, you need to line the bed for the pond with geofelt, then - waterproofing material. Decorate the bottom and sloping banks of the pond with large pebbles. If the slope is gentle (15-25 °), then the stones do not need to be fixed, and if the slope is greater, then the stones must be fixed special glue(FIX-ALL type).

After that, you can fill the pond with water to check its level and the formation of the coastline.

Now you should start building the cascade. First you need to level the slope, creating a sand cushion with a given slope. To create the appearance of a natural flow of water, you can make a slope of only a few degrees or give it the appearance of a sheer slope.

Then, when creating an alpine slide with a pond with your own hands, you need to build a bed by selecting the sand to the desired depth. The choice will depend on the number of stages to be built in the cascade, as well as their length and the total length of the channel. For the installation of steps, it is recommended to use tumbled flagstone with rounded edges so that it does not damage waterproofing film. Under each step, you need to create a mini-foundation of crushed stone, checking the horizontal level. Next, from the sand you need to form the sides.

After that, you need to remove the flagstone from the step, cover the channel with waterproofing, then return the flagstone to its place, fixing it with aqua-glue so that there are no gaps under the stones.

Next, you need to install pump equipment. Its parameters will depend on the size of the cascade and pond, the power of the stream. The flow can be rough, medium and weak. After installing the equipment, you need to do a test run. If the flow of water goes around the stones, it is necessary to cut off the ends of these stones with a grinder, then the water will break off them without leaving the artificial channel.

In conclusion, you can decorate the bed of the stream with stones and plants, first of all, hiding the pump in the pond, cable and hoses from view.

When making an alpine slide and a pond located on a dry site, you can use wetland plants, choosing the most similar to each other. For landscaping the area around the pond and slide, it is better to use herbaceous plants, conifers and deciduous shrubs. Plants with an attractive shape will look spectacular here: weeping apple tree, goat willow, tree-like caragana, European larch. From conifers, thuja Danica, horizontal juniper, miniature species of spruces and pines are suitable. Along the edge of the reservoir, you can plant azalea and rhododendron, low varieties of barberry, shrub cinquefoil, panicle hydrangea.

But do not plant too many plants, otherwise they will divert attention from the main composition - a cascade with a pond.

Here you can see photos of alpine slides with ponds, made by hand on the garden plot:

How to make a landscape pond with a waterfall in the country with your own hands (with photo)

This version of a small artificial pond is very simple to implement and inexpensive, because, firstly, the pond will not take up much space on the site. Secondly, it will use a homemade water purification filter. Thirdly, the do-it-yourself bowl of this reservoir with a waterfall is made on the basis of a finished plastic container. With all this, the pond will be perfectly equipped for the habitation of fish in it, and also decorated with lighting.

To create a pond with a waterfall in the country with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

plastic container for 500 l;
a pump (with such power as to raise the water column by 3 m, but less is possible) and hoses;
basin (for the filter) for 20-30 l;
construction waste (broken brick, gravel, rubble and pieces of concrete);
river sand;
fittings for the base of the slide (you can use old gratings);
adhesive mixture Ceresit CM 117;
lighting (for example, a ball-shaped street lamp with an energy-saving pink or blue lamp);
wires, outdoor double switch and socket;
Luhansk stone;
pebbles (for backfilling);
underwater planting containers and the plants themselves.

Tools for making an artificial reservoir with a waterfall with your own hands will require the following:

pick;
shovels;
Master OK;
putty knife;
shoe level;
pliers;
screwdriver;
screwdriver;
perforator.

Work on creating a dacha pond begins with the installation of a plastic container. After choosing a place for the pond, you need to make markings and dig a pit. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to pour sand, level it and install a container. The cavities between the walls of the pit and the tank should be covered with wet sand, while simultaneously filling the pond with water.

Before you make a pond with a waterfall with your own hands, you need to build the base of the slide. To do this, you need to tamp the ground, lay reinforcement on top, and already lay broken bricks, gravel, rubble and pieces of concrete on it, forming the steps of the slide under the waterfall from Luhansk stone.

When arranging such a pond in a country house with your own hands, remember that the steps of the cascade must be horizontal, otherwise the water will drain along one edge. A slight slope of 3 ° is made from the top step to the bottom.

How to make a filter for a pond in the country with your own hands using a basin? To do this, in the lower part of the tank (without touching the bottom itself), you need to make a horizontal hole about 15-20 cm long and 12 cm wide. Insert the edge of the first cascade into this opening. The remaining space should then be filled with mortar and smoothed out so that a drain is obtained on the first step. Next, you need to coat the surface with a waterproofing solution, and when it dries, you should put 3-4 stones 5 cm high, cover with a flat stone, a piece of iron or plastic on top. It is necessary to pour crushed stone on the lower part of the filter, and put a synthetic winterizer on top. Then you can run the hose from the pump. The visible upper part after this must be decorated with pebbles.

As a result, a small geyser should turn out: water from a pump located at the bottom of the pond will pump through the hose, then go outside and filter through the drainage, and then flow back into the pond through cascades.

When arranging such a pond with your own hands on the site, it is better to put the pump on the bottom on a brick. You can impose a basin with a stone on the solution. Next, you need to connect the pump through a double street switch, and make lighting next to it. The base of the lantern can be installed on a flat stone by fixing it with silicone and inserting an energy-saving lamp into it. It is also better to “prosilicone” holes for the power cable and fasteners.

It remains only to decorate everything with stone, sea pebbles, plant ornamental vegetation and launch fish into the pond.

DIY decorative artificial pond with a waterfall

Here you can find another step-by-step instruction for creating a do-it-yourself pond equipped with a waterfall.

For this solid construction, you will need to make a large bowl of cement (at least 10 m2 in area), then overlay it with stone.

A do-it-yourself decorative pond with a waterfall is created on the basis of an artificially built wall 7 m high. So in this case, a significant amount of material and effort will be required, but the result will be a capital durable structure that will last more than one generation.

Of course, it would be possible to make a bowl of a pond with a waterfall with your own hands and much smaller sizes, but given the size of the entire structure and the height of the waterfall, this structure would look bad, in general. And in a large pond, the water will constantly stay at the level. If a pump with good filters, then it will be possible to launch fish into the reservoir, which will feel great here even in winter, because a deep pond will not freeze to the bottom.

To create such a pond with your own hands, you will need the following material:

primer deep penetration Ceresit ST 17;
waterproofing mixture Ceresit CR 65;
adhesive mixture Ceresit CM 117;
cement;
sand;
natural stone of arbitrary shape (pebble, torn stone);
rough ends (fingers) and quartzite;
pump with a water capacity of 7 m;
food hose.

With any capital construction, it is desirable to use the material of the same brand, then there will be a full guarantee that all structural elements are securely fixed.

As you can see in the photo, a do-it-yourself pond with a waterfall is carried out in several stages. First you need to build an artificial wall under the waterfall. It is made from cement mortar. It requires formwork. The wall is built in several stages, starting from the bottom of the widest platform, then a step is made higher, etc. One side of the slide will be flat, and the other with small protrusions, thinning towards the top. To create this artificial slide, you need to make a very thick solution. Then the slide must be left to dry completely so that the solution completely hardens.

At the next stage of creation landscape pond do-it-yourself bowls of the reservoir are being built. It is necessary to dig a foundation pit according to a given size, make a bowl from the solution, which should be very thick, but as elastic as possible, because the bowl will be made by hand. So that the latter does not crack over time under the influence of moisture, it is recommended to add special hydrophobic agents to the solution.

After the whole structure has hardened (it will take 2 days), 2-3 layers of Ceresit CR 65 waterproofing mixture should be applied to its surface. During the construction process, before pouring concrete into the bowl, you need to stretch the hose from the deepest place in the bowl, a pump will be installed there, up to the highest point of the wall of the waterfall, where water will flow out.

After that, you can proceed to finish the reservoir and slides with stone. First, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the entire structure from dirt and dust, and then apply 1-2 layers of Ceresit CT 17 deep penetrating primer. Only in this case will the structure be ready for stone decoration.

To glue the stone, you will need the Ceresit CM 117 adhesive mixture. This process should be started from the side walls, moving towards the front part.

The side wall must be faced with "fingers" with elements of torn stone. In this case, it is very important to observe the approximate horizontal. It is also important to avoid sharp depressions and bulges. A real natural look will be obtained only if the effect of smoothly wagging walls is achieved, although you can add a little non-standard lunges, but in moderation.

The front side of the waterfall with steps is made mainly of torn stone. On the sides, it should be tightly connected to the facial stones. Stones need to be glued one on top of the other, from the bottom up.

You can add some pebbles and large bright stones for a change. Particular attention must be paid to the sides - they must be without gaps so that the water does not flow out of the waterfall. This is a very delicate and painstaking work.

The pond also needs to be overlaid with large pebbles. Start gluing the stone from the bottom of the bowl upwards.

For the pump, it is recommended to make a “fortress” of small stones from pebbles, where it can then be hidden, and covered with a sandstone lid on top. It must be remembered that in winter the pump must be pulled out. Therefore, it should be done so that it is freely pulled out of its house.

At first, the water will be dirty, so you need to pull the hose from the top of the small bucket and point it to the side, turn on the pump to circulate the water so that it is clear.

In the future, the reservoir can be decorated with aquatic plants, launch fish and snails, arrange lighting and enjoy the creation of your own hands.

Water cascade with a pond and a stylized recreation area

This project is also more convenient to implement if the site has a steep slope. However, if there is none, you will have to create it artificially. This structure differs from the previous one not so much in dimensions as in the elements that make up the entire structure. Here it is planned to complete the whole area, paved with decorative tiles with torn edges.

One side of the platform should be framed by a high stone wall in the form of a semi-oval with descending steps, located closer to the middle of the platform, where it will finally be level with the ground. In the central part of this wall, a cascading waterfall should be arranged: the water below will fall into a small bowl, and then flow into the reservoir in a stream. This is the central part of the ensemble. On both sides of the stream and the pond, on a platform paved with tiles, you can equip a recreation area with sun loungers or a table and benches for relaxing, a playground or a garden with exotic plants in tubs.

Of course, to create such a water area, at least 20 m2 and a lot of money and effort will be required, but the suburban area will turn into a real resort, and a trip to the dacha will take on a new meaning.

For the construction of this structure, you will need several sacks of cement, sets of natural stone of various colors and sizes, some red brick and sand, a pumping station, a ready-made reservoir for a reservoir, tiles for finishing the site (combined with finishing stone waterfalls and walls), plants and other decorative elements - to taste and depending on the purpose of this site.

Initially, you need to choose a place, make markings, clear the ground, then dig a hole under the pond and a shallow trench for the stream. You also need to dig a trench under the foundation of the vertical wall, from which the slope of the cascade will begin. After that, it is necessary to make a foundation by filling a trench broken brick, fragments of ceramic tiles, then pour everything cement mortar. As soon as the foundation hardens, it will be possible to begin the construction of the wall. In this case, it is made of brick, and outside it is lined with natural stone. The wall should line up in the form of a semicircle.

Then you need to lay out a niche for pumping equipment, install it and mask the niche.

Next are performed plumbing systems. It is necessary to arrange a system of pipelines for the water cycle. A niche with a pump in the wall is already ready, now you need to dig a trench for pipes and install artificial reservoirs. One reservoir should be located right at the foot of the slope, where the waterfall water will flow, the other - a little further away. The first tank will be a small plastic barrel, for the second reservoir, you need to use a shallow, but wider container, with a free line of the coast. The containers should be installed in the pits prepared for them, constructing a drainage cushion and waterproofing. Next, you need to make a winding trench from the first small reservoir to the second. This duct must also be protected with waterproofing.

All water pipes at this stage must be installed and hidden underground. The pumping system will take water from the last reservoir and transfer it to the top of the waterfall. Along the way, the water will be purified by the filtration system, it will fall down the hills along the steps into a small reservoir, from there it will overflow into a large stream, collect in the drain to the pump and again flow to the waterfall.

When the base of the structure is built, you can proceed to the construction of the site. It must be paved with flat stones with torn edges, laying the material on sand base- according to the principle of laying paving stones.

When paving the site, you can build several flower beds, in which moisture-loving plants will then be planted, or you can pave the entire site without recesses, and then install the plants in tubs along the coastline of the waterfall and stream.

In any place of the structure, if desired, you can install lamps, then arrange everything in accordance with the purpose of this recreation area.

Watch the video "Pond in the country with your own hands" before proceeding with the construction of the structure:

You can create an unusual landscape design different ways. One of them is the arrangement of an artificial pond on the site with your own hands. The water zone will bring harmony and comfort to the surrounding space. In order for this part of the territory to become a harmonious addition to your possessions, and not a place that requires tireless care, you need to become more familiar with the technology of work.

You should start by choosing a site for bookmarking. You will also need to choose the style of the pond. After all, it must match the exterior. The bowl of the reservoir can be supplemented with a waterfall or a decorative stream, and the coastline is decorated with a blind area.

The design of the reservoir can be made restrained, while boulders of different sizes and conifers will be present in small quantities, as well as multi-colored herbs. Ponds today are fashionable to make a geometric configuration, they can have a rectangular or square shape. An artificial reservoir looks great next to the house, emphasizes the horizontal and vertical lines of buildings. Such a pond will be combined with a patio or patio, which is especially true if there are flower beds and linear paths nearby.

Location selection

Before laying a pond on the site with your own hands, you need to choose the right location for it. The pond should be in the shade for a certain period of the day. This will eliminate seasonal algae blooms. But you should not plan to place the reservoir completely in the shady zone, otherwise there will be a delay in the development of plants. In this case, you need to choose the golden mean.

The pond should be illuminated during the day for about 5 hours and be open from the southwest. It is undesirable to place a reservoir under shady trees, because after a while the water will be polluted by falling leaves. If you decide that you will make a pond on the site with your own hands, then it is important to determine its size.

The reservoir should not occupy more than 3% of the garden area. If under horticultural crops 6 acres are occupied, then 18 m 2 should not be allocated for a pond. The smaller the dimensions of the reservoir, the easier it will be to build, and the costs (material and labor) will not be so significant.

After you decide on the length and width of the reservoir, you need to take into account its visual perception. The water structure should be combined with the rest of the landscape elements. By depth, the space is divided into three steps, the first of which is a zone for plants, which will be located in close proximity to the shore; the shallow area will be for water lilies, and the deepening will be for wintering fish, if you plan to breed them.

You should not go too deep, it will be enough to prepare a hole of 180 cm. This will allow you to reach and overcome the line of soil freezing. When you have decided on the location and size of the reservoir, you can think about what materials will be used in the construction of the pond. At the same time, you need to be guided by the fact that the work can be carried out faster and easier.

An expensive and capital option is concrete base, which is erected using formwork and additionally reinforced with reinforcement. A less expensive way would be to use plastic container. A pond on the site with your own hands can also be made budgetary, for this a moisture-resistant film is usually used, with which you can lay out the bowl. This method is taken as the basis for a detailed description.

If you decide to create a pond on a garden plot with your own hands, then you will need to pick up materials for it. This includes waterproofing. For example, fiberglass is made ready-made forms different configurations. Of these, small ponds are constructed with an area of up to 4 m 2. Ordinary plastic should not be used, because it is not ready to last for a long time. But fiberglass molds are durable and reliable, but they have one drawback, expressed in high cost.

Before starting work, experts advise to consider the technology step by step. Do-it-yourself pond on the site, the photo of which is presented in the article, you can create yourself. However, it is necessary to choose the right materials. For example, butyl rubber or PVC sheeting makes an excellent free-form bottom cover. The material is characterized by elasticity, durability, strength, resistance to aggressive substances and low temperatures.

By choosing a film, you can count on the fact that it will last about 15 years, and butyl rubber - even half a century. You can change the shape of the bottom in the future if you select a film. It is repairable, but does not have a sufficient level of strength.

If you carefully familiarize yourself with the technology for building an artificial reservoir, you can easily make a pond step by step with your own hands on the site. A photo of several options for its execution is given in the article. You can use reinforced concrete to create the bottom. This material is reliable, and its main advantage is durability. Such a bottom is quite difficult to damage, but there is still one drawback - it is difficult to work with it when pouring, because special skills are required from the master. To create a high-quality bottom using reinforced concrete, technology should be followed. Concrete must have a certain brand. Strengthening the structure with reinforcement is mandatory. This is especially true for bridges and sculptures that you will create yourself.

Preparatory work

At the first stage, it is necessary to draw up a plan for an artificial pond, determining the width and depth. Using a water hose or sand, you can outline the intended contour. The shores of the future lake should be at the same level. It must be periodically measured during the formation of the pit.

Next, you can proceed to earthworks. The pit is dug to the depth of the coastal layer. After that, you can lay a line for digging in the deepest part. The digging process is quite difficult, so it is better to use the services of earthmoving equipment. If you still decide to do this part of the work yourself, then you should prepare for the fact that water can accumulate at the bottom. It can be removed with a pump.

As soon as the pit for the pond on the site is prepared with your own hands, with the help of a cord it is necessary to determine its dimensions, taking into account the depth. In the process of digging a pit under future pond the question will inevitably arise: where to put the land? Great option there will be a rise in the level of the site. To do this, the excavated soil is evenly distributed throughout the garden. You can also use the earth for an embankment of a stream or as a base for an alpine hill.

Forming the bottom of the bowl

At the next stage, you can lay a strong film. In order to protect it from damage by plant roots and stones, geotextiles are laid under the layer. For this, it is recommended to use roofing material or old linoleum. Some resort to the method, which consists in filling the bottom with sand and compacting this layer.

For work on lining the film on the bottom of the pond, it is recommended to choose a sunny day. Then the material heats up, becomes more elastic and stretches better. This approach will allow you to go around all the ledges of the pit. To form an edge around the perimeter, you need to dig an auxiliary trench to tuck and fix the film. Its edges are laid in a trench and sprinkled with rubble.

You can strengthen the edge with plastic pipes or stone blocks. The first of them should be nailed to the pegs. This will prevent the shedding of earth into the bowl. The edge is laid out with natural stone, you can decorate it with a group of boulders or a large figured block. Prepared plants are placed in plastic containers and placed on slopes. The bottom of the pond is recommended to be laid out with rubble and stones.

Final works

Equipping the pond with your own hands on the site, at the next stage you can already fill it with water. In order to select pumping equipment and calculate the volume of hydrochemistry for the care of the reservoir, you should take the readings of the water meter before and after filling. So that the liquid does not stagnate, you can equip the pond with a stream. It will provide constant circulation of water. To do this, the source rises above the level of the artificial lake, and water is supplied to it from the bowl using a submersible pump installed at the bottom of the pond. It is important to think about decorating the mouth.

For this, plant plantations, stones, glass containers or clay bowls are usually used. Pipes should be stretched to the source of the stream and connected to the filter. It is better that it be pressure, as it is more efficient than flow equipment.

How to avoid mistakes?

If you are trying to create something with your own hands, you may run into some problems. For example, in the case of artificial reservoirs there are standard mistakes that gardeners make. The design of the banks with pellets of the same diameter should not be carried out, because then the pond will take on a boring look. It is better to combine large stones with small ones, but you should not fill up the coastal zone with them.

The pond should not be made deep, because it has sheer walls and will resemble a stone bag. As practice shows, earthmoving companies are advised to equip just such (deep) reservoirs for the reason that they are paid for the number of cubes of excavated soil. If you plan to breed fish, then you should pay attention to the depth of the bowl. It shouldn't be too big.

You should not get carried away with container gardening, because it can interfere with the normal development of plants on the site. Although container planting allows you to quickly change the external design by rearranging or rearranging the stands. You may also be frightened by the prospect of a dirty look of the pond after backfilling with earth. However, there is nothing to fear here. After all, the ground for aquatic plants is a heavy mixture great content clay. It is not washed out by water, but over time is compacted by the root system. If you are thinking about creating a pond with your own hands on the site, the photos in the article will help you establish the correctness of your decision, as they fully convey the beauty of a garden with an artificial pond. Experts advise to equip a small pond first in order to practice and understand what mistakes can be made.

Creating a pond from a container

Capacities are good because they can be installed quite quickly. You can do it yourself in a day or two. If you want to use a plastic bowl, then you can choose the one whose edges are decorated to look like natural stone. In this case, the process will go even faster, because you don’t have to give the coast a natural look.

Before you create a pond with your own hands on a site without a film, you must install a finished container in the allotted place. It should be laid on bricks and located as evenly as possible. Lime or light sand is required to circle the edges of the bowl so that the pit meets the relief of the tank. This will allow you to mark zones of different heights.

Next, a pit is dug out, while it is necessary to act carefully, expanding and deepening by 10 cm. Using a level, make sure that the bowl is installed horizontally. If necessary, you can correct the position of the tank by deepening the pit. When creating a pond on a personal plot with your own hands, the container must be filled with water by a third, after which you can begin to fill the cracks with sand, stirring it with water. The next plan is to decorate the appearance of an artificial reservoir.

Budget way to create a mini-pond

If there is no desire to create a large reservoir, then you may prefer its mini version. Too primitive approach would be to use basins, buckets and bathtubs. However, a tire can be used instead. The larger its diameter, the more impressive the size of the pond will be. The reservoir will have decent dimensions if you borrow a tire from KamAZ, BelAZ or the Belarus tractor.

Further work will look the same as in the cases described above. First you need to dig a hole, the diameter of which will be slightly larger than the tire. The workpiece is installed there. You should not deepen too much, because otherwise the space will be filled with rainwater.

When constructing a pond in a summer cottage with your own hands, you can use a film by laying it in two layers on the bottom and sides of the tire. The edges of the film should be folded under the sides. Then the pond is filled with water, and its banks are decorated with plants and stones. different shapes and sizes.

Decoration of the coastal zone

If you are a lover natural style, then you will probably give preference to a large body of water. Its shores are usually decorated with lush vegetation, which belongs to the local flora. It could be:

marsh iris;
loosestrife monetized;

But sometimes in personal plots you can find plants such as reeds or darmer. As mentioned above, you can choose a body of water with strict symmetry. In this case, plants are planted near it in a certain order. Large rectangular slabs are laid around the pond. Wooden flooring looks quite attractive.

Creating a pond on the site of a country house with your own hands, you can make it romantic place, adding decorative bridges. Among the tall plants suitable for such conditions, we can distinguish:

marsh iris;
gunner;
host Rogers;
astilbe;
badan.

Between the stones should be planted tenacious, forget-me-nots and stonecrops.

How to keep order?

Like any other structure on the site, the pond will require certain care during operation. It is not so difficult if you choose the right plants and ensure a normal biological balance. Such a system will regulate itself, and the owner will only need to help her a little.

Having created a pond for ducks with your own hands on the site, in the summer you will need to remove weeds near it, and algae from the water. To do this, you can use a rake and net. It is recommended to purchase chemicals, but only if you do not intend to keep poultry and fish. With the help of these substances, you can clean the reservoir and saturate the water with oxygen.

If the pond dries up, then water must be periodically added. AT autumn period you have to remove the leaves, otherwise they will sink to the bottom. A special mesh is stretched over the surface, which will protect the reservoir from debris. For the winter, all equipment is also removed. With the onset of spring, dried stems should be cut. The bottom and walls must be cleaned of silt; for this, special equipment is usually used.

Finally

You can independently create a swimming pond with your own hands on the site. To do this, the pit is dug in several stages to make a slope with steps. In this case, the bottom is usually made of concrete, because it is dangerous to use a plastic film bottom. However, as one of good decisions is the installation of a finished container. Thinking about the question of how to ennoble the pond on the site with your own hands, you can supplement it with a ladder if you plan to use it to take water procedures.

Before starting work, it is important to decide whether you are ready to take care of the artificial reservoir yourself. Although such a system regulates itself independently, it still requires human participation. You will have to get the appropriate devices for catching debris in the form of foliage. For some summer residents and owners of houses within the city, such structures are a burden. Over time, they drop them. Therefore, some part of the territory becomes non-functional and unattractive.

A good decoration for a summer house or garden is a pond. Many are trying to bring the landscape of their land closer to the natural. Water has magical properties and always attracts the eyes and thoughts of people to itself. Almost always the concept of rest is combined with the concept of rest by the water.

But in many suburban areas there are no streams or lakes. Very often they are not even nearby, and so you want a good outdoor recreation. But there is a way out.

Own pond in the country - it's real

A small, do-it-yourself pond will become a favorite vacation spot. This man-made miracle can make your dreams come true ornamental pond in the garden or in the country and even become a platform for aquatic floriculture.

With the help of a film hydroprotective coating, it is possible to make a reservoir of any shape and a different area: from the smallest to reservoirs of a fairly large area. It all depends on the size of the site and the design of the landscape.

Applying various decorative materials and decorations, you can give the pond the appearance of a natural mountain reservoir or, conversely, a well-maintained pool. With the help of a pump, you can make a waterfall or a fountain, create an imitation of a mountain stream. You can run fish into the pond, plant water plants. In conjunction with decorative elements all this looks impressive and creates a favorable atmosphere.

You can make a small mini pond in the country with your own hands in almost any area, with any soil, and this does not require any equipment or complex devices.

For this you will need the following materials:

special film for creating reservoirs;
geotextile;
sand;
decorative stones;
hose for supplying water to the pool;
scissors;
shovel;
level.

As a waterproofing film for ponds, PVC film or butyl rubber is used.

It is better to purchase a special film in the appropriate store. For small pools, you can safely use pvc film. But if you are seriously interested in landscape design and want to make an original pond using decorative forms and plants, it is better to use butyl rubber. This material is very flexible, elastic, durable (service life is more than 30 years). In addition, if any changes have suddenly occurred and you decide to change the shape of the pond, you can reuse this film.

The device of the pond in the photo

You need to start by deciding on the location and shape of the pond. You also need to decide what this reservoir will be used for. If fish will be bred in it in the future, then the depth of the deepest part of the pond should be at least 1.5-2.0, and for the northern regions and more, meters. This is necessary so that the reservoir does not freeze in winter and the fish would have a place to spend the winter. The deepest place itself should not be very large, and even in small reservoirs fish can be found.

The minimum depth of the reservoir is usually made at least 50-80 cm. At a shallower depth, the water will overheat in summer and this will lead to the development of unfavorable flora in the reservoir. And in winter, accordingly, such a pond will freeze and the plants and microorganisms that inhabited it will not survive in it.

The bottom of the pond is most often made with ledges. The relief of the bottom of the reservoir has several zones:

coastal;
shallow water;
deep zone.

The coastal zone is usually a small strip along the coast. Its depth is about 15-20 cm. The shallow zone can be decorated with small stones or tiles. Shallow water is considered to be a depth of up to 50 cm. Plants are bred here. This is the place for decorative compositions, which can be executed from groups large stones with decorative embellishments.

The deep zone in ordinary ornamental ponds is most often 80-120 cm. Here, too, you can plant plants that grow at a depth. Most often, water lilies (nymphs) are planted there.

There are many varieties that tolerate winter well and are adapted for cold winters. They bloom for almost six months, starting from the end of April and right up to mid-October. It turns out a very beautiful flowering pond.

If the pond is made only for plant breeding, then it does not have to be deep. A depth of 60-90 cm is quite enough. It is at this depth that it is recommended to plant nymphs in the regions of the middle and northern strip. It is better to make the mirror of the reservoir itself as large as possible, so that they have room to grow, because. one plant can take up enough large area on the surface of the water.

For good flowering Nymphaeums (they are also lilies and water lilies) need a lot of light. This must be taken into account when choosing a place for a pond. There are more shade-loving lilies, but they also need lighting for 4-5 hours a day. Available a large number of varieties of nymphs and a variety of colors: from white and white-pink to red and dark purple.

Pontederia and nymphs in the pond

For framing the pond and the shallow water zone, it is also better to choose plants that grow well in this climatic region. The pond then looks natural and does not require much maintenance. It is best to use traditional plants: sedge, reed, reed, cattail. Of the flowering ones, you can plant an arrowhead, pontederia, loosestrife (plakun-grass), lungwort.

Loosestrife

loosestrife-willow has not only decorative qualities It is also a medicinal plant. Marsh iris looks very nice. But in the coastal zone of the reservoir, both on the shore and in shallow water, decorative irises also grow well, because. they are very fond of water and blend perfectly with herbaceous coastal plants.

Step-by-step instruction

How to make a decorative pond in the country or in the garden with your own hands? Consider step by step instructions with photo.

Step 1. Marking and layout of the site. The contour of the pond is drawn on the selected area. The projections of all depth contours are also applied.

Marking can be done by laying a rope or hose on the surface. You can draw contour lines with sand.

Before you start digging a pit, you need to make a vertical layout of the site on which the pond will be located. In order to prevent water from flowing out through one of the low edges of the reservoir, it is necessary to check the horizontal level along the entire planned edge of the reservoir. The plane of the entire edge must be horizontal, at the same level.

This can be checked with a long stick and a level. Or, having hammered pegs on opposite edges of the pool, pull a rope over them and then attach a level to it. If in some places the surface of the earth is below the required mark, then it is necessary to add soil there.

Step 2. Pit. After leveling the site, we proceed to tearing off the pit. It should be done 5-10 cm deeper than the design depth of the pond.

The bottom is thoroughly cleaned from the remnants of vegetation, roots and stones. It is important to do this carefully, because. stones and other objects can subsequently damage the waterproofing film. Sand is poured at the bottom with a layer of 5 cm and tamped into the ground.

Around the contour of the pond, at a small distance from it - about 20 cm, a small trench is being dug. The approximate width and depth of the trench are 15-20 cm. The edge of the film will be fixed in it.

Step 3. Determining the dimensions of the waterproofing film. To determine overall dimensions film, it is necessary to measure the length and width of the bottom of the pit in the widest places. This is conveniently done with the help of cords that are laid out along the bottom. To the resulting length, you need to add 50 cm on each side, which are needed to equip the coastline.

Step 4. We cover the bottom with geotextiles and a waterproofing film. First, the bottom is lined with a layer of geotextile. This protects the waterproofing film from possible damage.

The film itself is applied on top, carefully filling all the curves of the relief. If the project provides for the future supply of water through a hose that is laid on the bottom, then it can be hidden in the folds of the film.

We press the film well to the ground and temporarily fix it with stones so that it does not move. The film should also be brought into the groove that was dug around the pool. The film is pressed with something heavy for temporary fixation. But they don’t fall asleep yet, because. while filling the pool with water, the film may still move.

Step 5. Arrangement of the deep zone. If the project provides for planting plants in the deep zone, then now is the time to install them there.

Plants are planted in special containers. The container is filled with substrate. Containers are installed in the right place on the bottom of the pool. Stones are also laid out at the bottom, if they are provided for by the project. Large stones look beautiful at the bottom.

Step 6. Filling the pond with water. After laying the film, you can fill the deep zone of the pond with water. Water must be poured with a small pressure so that the pool is filled gradually. Thus, water, squeezing air out from under the film, will smoothly occupy the required space and form the bottom. At the same time, the film may move slightly until it takes correct position under water pressure.

If you pour water quickly, then there may be unnecessary tension in the film or air voids under it, which in the future may lead to tearing of the film.

Step 7. Planting plants in shallow water and coastal zone. In the shallow and coastal zone of the pond, containers with appropriate plants are installed. Crushed stone is poured around the containers. They also lay out larger stones that can protrude from the water, creating islands. In the coastal zone, the bottom is usually covered with small pebbles. After installing the flowerpots, the reservoir is filled with water to the brim.

Step6. Fixing the edges of the film. Building an earthen castle. After the pond is completely filled with water and the film has completely fallen into place, you can proceed to the device of an earthen lock, which will finally fix the film in the desired position. It will also serve as a barrier between aquatic environment and soil, so that these media do not mix, and the reservoir has a clear line.

The edges of the film lead into this trench, which was dug around the pond. Crushed stone is poured on top of the film. It will serve as a fixing weight to hold the film. Next, the trench is covered with earth and a small earthen roller is made along the contour of the pond.

Unnecessary edges of the film are cut off.

Step 7. Arrangement of the coastline. The next stage is the arrangement of the framing of the pond. Depending on the design, stone or tile paving can be made on the shore.

If the pond was created in the form of an imitation of a natural reservoir, then it is enough to lay out several large stones. Paths are made along the line of the pond; a bridge can be made across the pond itself. Here you can give free rein to your imagination and create a pond completely with your own hands as your heart desires.

How to make a pond with your own hands video

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Water has always attracted people. That is why many people are thinking about how to make a mini-pond in the country with their own hands, because then landscape design will have its own zest. Being near water is natural for a person. You can relax on the shore, run fish into the water, or a waterfall.

What are the ponds

The tradition of decorating areas near the house with ponds came to us from the East. But let's not consider simple stone bowls in the yard. After all, we are interested in the integration of the pond into the design of the site. So East. There are 2 design options: Chinese and Japanese. In China, a mini-pond was a pond richly decorated with lush plants. He looked like a corner wildlife. In Japan, ponds were decorated differently - in the style of minimalism. Having adopted this tradition, European designers began to make ponds in their own way. Often they were of the correct geometric shape. Which style to choose is a matter of taste for each owner.

There are no fundamental differences in the construction of reservoirs, so this material will be useful, no matter what style you choose for your structure. It can be a traditional Chinese or Japanese mini-pond or a high-tech creation. Creating a pond is fun and you can get all your family members involved in it. This is especially true for the design. Well, if you start the fish, then the children will be happy to feed them. The only thing not recommended to do in the pond is to swim. This is what the pool is for.

Pond construction

Just like in any other construction, you need to choose the right place. Do not build a reservoir where the water will be under the sun all day. Plants will wither from excess sunlight, and algae in the water will multiply intensively, and the pond will overgrow. At the same time, if you make a pond on the shady side of the site, this will adversely affect plant growth. The best option- this is when the sun's rays illuminate the pond for at least 5 hours a day. A mini-pond should not be located near trees. When making a pond in the garden with your own hands, keep in mind that in the fall all the fallen leaves will be in the water and rot. In addition, overgrown tree roots can damage the bowl, even if you make it out of concrete. Such a garden pond should be located at some distance from the trees. As a last resort, choose a place where old trees grow, cut them down, remove the stumps and use this place for a pond in the garden.

You should be able to admire your creation. What good will be in the reservoir if it is located in the depth of the site and it will not be visible? It is good to have a pond near the garden gazebo or terrace of the house. Or set up a comfortable bench on the shore so that you can sit and enjoy the beauty.

You need to choose the size of the reservoir. There are also recommendations here, according to which the pond occupies 3% of the site. it the best option. However, not all people who want to decorate their site in this way follow it. Often they make mini-ponds from old bathtubs or even basins. They also construct a pond from a tire. Well, lovers of large reservoirs spend a lot of effort to dig the appropriate pit. Or they make two ponds and a small river channel connecting two reservoirs. This is a personal matter for everyone. In any case, whatever body of water you are planning to make, view different variants of how you can make a pond in the country with your own hands, photos will help you with this.

After choosing a place, start digging a pit. Markup can be done using ordinary rope. If the volume of work is large, it will be more rational to use the labor of hired workers or an excavator. Well, you can dig a small pond yourself. But before you take out the ground, you need to decide how you will make a reservoir. There are different options. You can install the formwork and fill the walls and the bottom of the pit with concrete with the addition liquid glass for waterproofing. Or buy an annual and dig a hole for it. And you can use the most a budget option- PVC film that will cover the bottom and walls of the pit.

The pit is dug in ledges (usually 2-3). Plants are then planted on them. It is not recommended to make the deepest part of the pit deeper than 1.5-1.8 m. The pond should not be made too shallow, as in this case the water will be very warm by the sun. Some owners drain it for the winter, while others do not. Usually water is left if fish are released into the pond. If the depth of the pit is normal, then they hibernate in the very deep place. Well, if the bowl is too shallow, then the water freezes in winter and the fish die.

So, a pit for a small pond was dug. What's next? It is necessary to seal the walls and bottom. Consider the option with PVC film as the most budgetary.

It is recommended to work with the film in the warm season, when it is most elastic. At the bottom of the pit and on the terraces it is poured thick layer sand and compacted. A film is placed on it. Sand is needed in order not to accidentally damage the material with sharp stones or plant roots in the ground. The film will serve as an excellent waterproofing that does not allow water to go into the soil. On the surface of the earth, around the pit, the film is folded and pressed down with large stones. By decorating this garden pond, you will arrange the stones more beautifully, but for now, you need to finish with the bowl. When the film is laid, it is recommended to pour a layer of sand on it. If the plants on the terraces will be planted in the ground, then you need to fill in the ground, but it is much easier to plant plants in pots.

Another point that must be taken into account when building a mini-pond is that the water must be flowing. So you have to spend much less effort on cleaning the bowl and replacing the water. Making water circulate is easy enough. Must be installed in a pond submersible pump. The water supplied through the hose will pass through the filter and drain back into the bowl. When making a pond in the country, you can choose any design for the drain. It can be a stream flowing down from a nearby alpine hill (this is where you can put the earth from a pit), or you can make a fountain, which is also easy to build. It is only necessary to beautifully arrange the pipe connected to the pump and towering above the surface of the water. Having built such a pond in the country with your own hands, take enough time to design it. You can use natural stones, paving slabs, terrace board and other materials. Your imagination is not limited by anything. You can also provide a multi-colored backlight, which will light up in the evening. Various design options for ponds in the country will help you choose.

When making a pond with your own hands, you must strictly observe safety measures if lighting is planned, since water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Use only factory sealed fixtures that are specifically designed for installation underwater. If you do everything right, then such a pond for giving with a fountain and lighting will become a real gem of your summer cottage.

DIY mini pond (video)

mini ponds

As already mentioned, in addition to a large bowl, you can also make a pond from a tire. It will be very small, but beautiful in its own way. It is much easier to make it than a large body of water. You need to pick up an old large tire from KamAZ or a tractor and dig it into the ground. The tire pond from the inside is also laid out with a PVC film. There is 1 small terrace for planting plants. Small tires are not recommended. After all, the reservoir will be tiny. But tires from cars can be used when you want to make a cascade of small ponds, the water in which will flow from one to another. Such a structure also looks great, especially if it is well decorated. For this purpose, you can use basins or old bathtubs. Tires can also be used to build flower beds around a large pond. In this case, they can be painted bright colors.

Conclusion

As you can see, making a pond with your own hands is quite simple. You only need to fulfill the following requirements:

choose the right place;
do good waterproofing;
provide for water circulation;
beautifully arrange the space around the pond.

And then, having created a pond with your own hands, you can rightfully be proud of it. Creating a beautiful artificial reservoir is creativity, where you can fully use all your imagination. Keep in mind that it should be in good harmony with the rest of the elements. landscape design. Although construction options for a summer cottage were considered here, a pond can also be built in the courtyard of a private house in the city. Beautifully designed small ponds can decorate any courtyard.

Mini pond on the balcony (video)

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