Mini pond tutorial

[hubertdenise]

My proper size pond was filled from the tap, then we waited for it to rain and such so the water would become ideal for animals.But in summer and spring it doesn’t rain much and the temperatures are high so lots of water evaporates.So every two weeks or so we have to raise the pond level with the garden hose.It hasn’t hurt the wildlife at all, we have 50+ newts, a couple frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, shrimps, leeches, flatworms, mayflies, daphnia, water boatmen, ramshorns, pond snails, water slaters, and more.Ideally if you make a pond in September, then let it develop over winter by spring it will be very rich in life as there is no need to raise water levels for at least 5 months.

[gavinhouse]

Great video, thanks. Me and my daughter Molly are soon to build a small wildlife pond in our garden as my Dad did with me when I was about her age. Hope to post with more soon.

[mariofilippi]

Thanks, was so inspired I am building one for my yard.

[nathanjohnhendry]

Is water from a water butt that has been stored for a while okay to use? Thanks.

[vickypearson]

Hi. I made a pond recently in a Belfast sink. I put well washed pea gravel at the bottom, some stones and wood as stepping stone out, just in case anything fell in. I used rain water from the water butt at the allotment and some water from our dehumidifier. I’ve added some plants - a hard rush, juncos inflexus, and water starwort. The water is now very black and has an oily film on the surface. What has gone wrong? Do I need to start again? Thanks

[Fredders]

I have a small pond in my garden. I 'inherited' it when I bought the house. It's plastic, deep and we have toads and frogs in it - and once, a newt but that was killed by a seagull (I think). I had to move the pond to a different part of the garden - it's more shady and since then I don't think the tadpoles we've had have made it to becoming frogs/toads. Any idea why? I suspect it's because the pond isn't getting enough sunlight but don't know for sure. Any ideas?

[berc]

I have built set up a mini pond a week ago. Bubbles appearing densely on the gravels. Slimy dead oxygenating plant leaves, I removed. Are the bubbles sign of algae growth? How to remove them?

[muinbear]

Thank you. Could do with a link to the website in the description though.

[Miss.Lechuza_Chusma]

I left a dog bowl in my yard which got filled with rain and a frog has been coming back daily . I change out the water bc it gets nasty really quick, we have well water that has been tested and we drink . It's been a few weeks now and he keeps coming back . I love watching him and knowing he gets a nice place to rest . I want to make a bigger but still small replacement pond . My question is about cleaning, is it ok to just leave all the nasty stuff that builds up? there's nothing to filter or eat it .

[Momentsintimes]

Thank you! Going to build one soon. Me and mum keep reading that it needs to be 60 cm deep in some parts for frogs to be safe hibernating.. Do you think we need to do that? Thank you.

[ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

The pond needs to be big enough to support small fish that eat mosquito larvae.

Otherwise, in the summer months, your "pond" will be just a mosquitoe breeding facility. Not good.

[shirleyporterfield]

How do you prevent mosquitos from breeding in this type of pond?

[Nightowl]

I thought it might be a good idea to catch some water first before mating your pond

[rosslotus]

I wud not add fish unless 2 feet plus depth due to ice

[joannesheaffer]

You must not have mosquitos where you live. If not, count your blessings.

[Frostie]

That's not a pond you've created but a bird bath! A pond will need plants & most importantly oxygenating plants.

[sentralsix]

Amateur hour over here at the wildlife trust... What a terrible bit of content!

[ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

Instead of waiting for it to rain, you can also buy some natural bottled spring water which also should contain no artificialy added chemicals.

Also, plastic containers such as the one you used in this video do break down overtime causing the water too leak.

So some kind of pool waterproof liner or a more sturdy container is recommended. Eg, fibreglass or metal containers are much better options.