Many home owners enjoy the tranquility and fun of having their own fish pond. Fish ponds come in a staggering number of sizes and shapes ranging from a few gallons to fifty thousand! Along with the number of different fish ponds available, there are also a vast array of pond plants and pond fish to go with them. When all of these elements are put together you are left with a beautiful addition to any outdoor setting. Starting your own outdoor fish pond may seem like a daunting task, but it can be a very simple, and enjoyable, bit and landscaping. So how do you get started building your own fish pond?

Choosing Fish Ponds

There are hundreds of different types of fish ponds on the market today, so choosing the right one for you can be a bit of a challenge. However don't look at the great selection of fish ponds as a bad thing. With so many choices available you can put a fish pond together that perfectly fits your unique tastes. Fortunately like most problems, choosing your fish pond can be simplified by breaking the problem down into a few easy questions:

• How large of an area do I have to work with? This is a pretty key question as it will dictate the maximum size of your fish pond. Fish ponds utilizing barrels can be used when space is very tight. On the other hand if you have a large area to work with,a large pond may be your best bet. Large ponds are more protected from outside interference and sudden temperature change.
  
• Where do you plan on placing your fish pond? Location is an important factor when considering fish pond placement. Many gardeners place their fish ponds in partially shaded areas so fish can get out of direct sunlight during the hot summer. Remember, debris such as falling leaves from shade trees can interfere with smaller fish ponds.
• What species of pond fish do you plan on keeping? When most people make a small fish pond they will keep goldfish. Goldfish are much less high maintenance than their cousins the koi. Koi fish require at least 950 to 1000 gallon fish ponds to be healthy, and you must also be careful of what pond plants you wish to have.

Fish Pond Tips

Once you have your fish pond selected and set up, and your pond fish and plants picked out, it's time to consider setting up your fish pond. Properly built fish ponds hold healthier fish and look much better than shabbily built ones. So take your time when assembling your new fish pond, and take pride in it with consistent care one you're done!

• If overhead cover isn't available for your fish pond, consider planting a few surface leaved plants. These aquatic plants, such as water lilys, have leaves that rest on the water's surface, providing shade for the pond fish below.
• When first adding water to your fish pond, it's best to use purified or treated water. Also remember to wait a few days to add your fish to your new fish pond.
• If children are present it's important to make them aware of the new fish pond and of it's dangers. It may even be a good idea to set up a small ornamental fence for very small children. These small decorative fences can then be removed when the cild or children grow older.
• Gold fish are an ideal first pond fish for people new to keeping fish ponds. These hearty fish come in a number of sizes, shapes, and colors to fit most any fish pond.