Building a Pond Waterfall
For most ponds, the
waterfall is the main attraction. The bubbling, centerpiece….the
icing on the cake…the star of the show. A good waterfall can make
your pond, while a bad one can ruin it. So, deciding to build your
own waterfall (or even install a pre-made one) - is a major
undertaking. You must understand a little bit about good design, a
little bit of physics, and be able to pull it all together
mechanically. So if you dare to “do it yourself” then keep reading!
Making Your Pond
Waterfall Work
You have several options
when it comes to building a pond waterfall. You can buy a
prefabricated fiberglass waterfall that requires little or no work
on your part, a pond waterfall form that requires a moderate amount
of work, or you can choose to design your own which requires the
most amount of effort.
No matter what kind of
waterfall you decide to make, there are certain questions that you
need to answer first.
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Do I have the tools and materials necessary to
complete the project? You must have pumps, fittings, rocks,
lining materials, cement, etc. to create your own waterfall. If you
choose to go with a prefabricated waterfall, read the instructions
carefully to make sure that you have everything you need to get
started.
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Do I have the skill necessary to build a pond
waterfall? If you feel that you are capable of building your
own, then do your homework and read as much as you can about the
project. If you still don’t feel comfortable, don’t fret. There
are tons of professionals that can do the job for you at a
reasonable price.
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How big do I want my waterfall? Some of the
best waterfalls end up looking bad because they are proportioned
incorrectly. Too strong of a pump, and your neighbors will be
complaining that they can’t sleep at night!
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What kind of filters do I have planned? Many
pond designs will integrate their
waterfall into their mechanical and biological
filtration system. Planning ahead will save
you both time and money
over the life of your pond.
Putting It All
Together
Once you have a blueprint
of how you want your waterfall to look, you can get to work.
Whenever possible, build your pond waterfall before you introduce
plants and fish into your pond. That way, any debris or chemical
residue can be properly flushed out before introduction. Don’t
forget to enlist the help of friends and family members in the
actual construction process. An extra set of hands can go a long
way in making your project successful. Last but not least-
once you have your waterfall in place, take the time to admire your
handiwork!
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