How to Make a Mini Pond
- 1). Purchase or repurpose a 30- to 50-gallon container that is either food-grade or pond-safe. Half barrels work well, but should be lined with polyethylene sheeting or have a waterproof container set inside them so that they don’t leak over time. You may also coat the inside with a pond-safe water sealant. Allow sealants to cure according to package instructions before installing plants, water and fish.
- 2). Install small marginal and aquatic plants in pots. Don’t overload the mini pond. Use bricks, stones or overturned planting containers to elevate the pots to the correct depth. Small, free-floating duckweed is beneficial for a small pond, but you may have to scoop out some from time to time because it’s aggressive. Fish nibble on it, it is edible if steamed, and it’s fantastic for the compost pile. Try to keep 40 percent of the surface water of your pond clear of plant matter.
- 3). Fill the mini pond with water and allow the chlorine in the water to volatilize (evaporate) for at least 24 hours. Test the water for proper pH and amend as necessary with water treatments. Tests and treatments are available in garden and pet shops. Add small fish if you want. Goldfish are commonly used, and they’ll fertilize the plants. Limit yourself to a single 1-inch fish per square foot of surface area. If you add too many fish, you will have to install a pump and filter system, and possibly an aerator as well. Purchase these from a shop that sells aquariums and install according to package instructions.
- 4). Install the mini pond outdoors in a cool, partially shaded area of your garden or patio. For garden spots, bury the container from halfway to as much as 2 inches below the top of the container to help stabilize pond temperatures. On a patio, surround the mini pond with potted plants for added wind and temperature protection. Store the pond indoors when temperatures drop below what your plants or fish can handle. A mini pond can freeze solid.
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