How Big Should Your Pond Be?

When building a pond, the first big decision you'll make is how big you want it to be. The size of your pond will determine many factors, from how powerful your pump needs to be, to how many fish you can have. You'll want to carefully plan out your pond, assessing your space to see what size pond works best.

Above-ground or in-ground pond?

Above-ground ponds give you more flexibility in placement and are a less permanent option, perfect for those who are renting or if you'd rather not dig. These types of ponds are often smaller than an in-ground pond, but only your imagination (and space) are the limit. Their structure comes from pavers or bricks, holding the liner in place.

Above-ground pond projects to consider:

• Above ground pond with flower beds

• Above ground pond with spitter

If you're building a traditional in-ground pond, before you start digging, make sure you're permitted to do so by your HOA or any local regulations. You'll also want to check with your utility company to see where your power lines and pipes are. Check out the 811 website for your local info: 811 in your state.

In-ground pond projects to consider:

• Pond with Two Products Project

• Pond with a Waterfall Project

Pond shape

When evaluating your outdoor space for a pond, you can get creative with the size. You don't have to have a perfectly round pond. There are different styles and shapes to choose from; this can give you more opportunities for creativity or to fit different spaces.

Pond volume

If you want to add fish or other pond life to your pond, it's important to have enough water to ensure good water quality and quality of life for your aquatic friends. You can use the smartpond pond calculator to determine the volume of your future pond based on the length, width, and depth.

The general rule is that you want to have one gallon for every inch of adult fish you'll have in your pond. You'll need to consider how big your fish will be when they're fully grown adults. Koi and different types of goldfish can grow over a foot in length, some even up to three feet!

Your pond's volume will determine how many and what type of fish you can have in your pond. Research how big each fish you add to your pond will be as adults before adding any to your pond. Fish (even goldfish) do not grow to fit the size of their container; that is a myth. Having more fish than your pond can handle leads to overcrowding, which further leads to water quality issues and poor fish health.

Pond depth

Another aspect you'll want to consider is depth – an important factor in volume. You can make up for your pond's size by adding more volume. A wide, shallow pond is affected more by temperature than a small, deeper pond.

If a shallow pond receives too much direct sunlight, it can quickly overheat and lack oxygen. These types of ponds will need to be kept in the shade. A shallow and small pond will be more challenging to protect from the elements and prevent water quality issues like algae blooms.

Your pond's depth will also determine whether you can leave your fish and plants in the pond for winter. Typically, your pond needs to be at least two feet deep (unless you live in a more extreme climate) to overwinter fish outside. If you have koi and larger fish, you'll need the pond to be four or five deep.

You can always move your fish indoors during the winter in a tank if you can't make your pond deep enough.

Pond pump

Stagnant ponds are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and water quality issues. Pumps and water features keep the water circulating and oxygenated. Ideally, you want the pump to be able to turn the water over at least once per hour. Pumps are measured by GPH–gallons per hour.

Once you know the volume of your pond, you'll be able to choose the correct pump. Try to get as close as you can to the volume of your pond to keep the water at the ideal level of circulation. Too strong of a pump can over-agitate the water, while a weak pump won't be able to keep the water circulated enough.

Keep in mind that when digging your pond, the hole will look bigger than the final product. Once you add liner, rocks, and plants, the pond will appear to be smaller. Consider digging a slightly larger hole to account for this.

The planning phase of building a pond is the most important. You want to make sure that you've evaluated your space and know how big of a pond you need before digging. The size of your pond will determine what pond life you can have and how you handle each season. Before adding any fish, make sure you know how much each fish will get to avoid overcrowding. Once you have the planning phase completed, you can start digging or building, and in just a weekend or two, you'll have the pond of your dreams.