Selecting Pond Products
Choose the right products
What do you need to build a pond?
There are many products that work together to create a pond. A pond requires a pump, filter, and some kind surface agitation for aeration. Choosing the right products now will make future maintenance and projects more efficient. Create a pond the smart way with smartpond®.
Step 1: Pond Liner
Select the right liner type for your project
Different types of pond liners work for different projects.
Preformed rigid liners are recommended for smaller ponds and first-time pond builders; they are generally easier to install.
Flexible Pond Liners are easier to shape however you need, they come as PVC or EPDM. PVC Pond liners are lightweight, yet durable. EPDM liners are thicker and suitable for rough or rocky terrain.
Liners come in several sizes so you should purchase a liner that is larger than the hole as you can cut it down if necessary (account for depth!). You can also seam together multiple liners to form an even larger liner with seaming tape.
After determining the exact size of your pond, use this formula to help choose the right liner.
LENGTH + (DEPTH X 2) + (2 FEET of overlap) = LINER LENGTH
WIDTH + (DEPTH X 2) + (2 FEET of overlap) = LINER WIDTH
smartpond liners:
7 ft. x 10 ft. smartpond® Pond Liner for ponds up to 200 gallons
10 ft. x 13 ft. smartpond® Pond Liner for ponds up to 600 gallons
13 ft. x 20 ft. smartpond® Pond Liner for ponds up to 1,600 gallons
TIP! The pond liner should have an overhang of at least 10 in., with 12-18 in. being more ideal. Ponds should have a minimum depth of 1.5 ft., up to 3 ft. for Koi ponds.
Before you lay the liner, clear away any debris from the pond hole that could potentially puncture the liner. We recommend an underlayment to protect the liner. In a pinch, sand or old blankets will suffice and provide additional protection for the liner.
Press the liner into all gaps to ensure a proper fit. Remember it is recommended to have least 1 ft. of liner overlap on each side of the pond, disguised and held in place by decorative rock or landscaping. This prevents the liner from slipping due to the weight of the water it’s holding.
Step 2: Pond Pump
Maintain a beautiful water feature by keeping the water moving.
After installing the liner, it’s important to add a pump. A pump will prevent stagnant waters that can lead to bad odors and mosquitoes nesting in your pond. Plus, you can add on water features such as a nozzle or spitter.
TIP: Choose a pump that will turn the pond’s total water volume at least once every hour. For example, if your pond holds 200 gallons of water you should choose a pump with a GPH (gallons per hour) rating of 200 or more. It's always better to go with a bigger pump and adjust the flow.
Select pump. smartpond Pond Pumps:
280 GPH Pond Pump for ponds up to 200 gallons
420 GPH Pond Pump for ponds up to 400 gallons
630 GPH Pond Pump for ponds up to 600 gallons
800 GPH Pond Pump for ponds up to 800 gallons
We recommend using the pumps that are labeled for pond use because we’ve designed them to specifically handle organic materials in the pond. Spitters and other water features can be powered with a pond pump when using the diverter valve as part of the Pond Nozzle Kit.
Step 3: Filtration
There are several types of filtration available in our smartpond line:
Pre-filters collect debris from the water and prevent it from entering the pump. They protect the pump, thereby leading to a longer pump life and better performance.
Mechanical filters work with a pump to move the water and catch large and small pieces of debris. All of our smartpond products include a form of mechanical filtration by way of the filter pads within the product. The filter pads catch debris from the water as it passes through the filter.
Biological filters use beneficial bacteria to naturally break down organic decaying material. Our filters all include Bio-Balls, which provide more surface space to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Pressurized filters combine the power of mechanical and biological filtration. The pressure in these filters is forced through the filter by way of the pump, not giving debris a chance to settle in your pond.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light Technology ensures water clarity and a healthy pond environment for plants and fish. Water is pumped through a carefully calibrated UV chamber at just the right speed to provide maximum exposure. The UV light helps clean the green out of the water. The results are a crystal clear and healthy pond you can enjoy all year round.
We recommend these smartpond filters:
Pump Filter Box or UV Pond Clarifier for ponds up to 200 gallons.
Pump Filter Box, UV Pond Clarifier or Pond Filter for ponds up to 500 gallons.
UV Pond Clarifier, or Pond Filter for ponds up to 800 gallons.
Multiple Pond Filters can be connected for larger pond or ponds with fish needing extra filtration.
Looking for an all in one, additional filtration system for your pond? Consider the Filter Kit with Pump. Ideal for ponds up to 500 gallons, it includes the filter box, filter pads, bio-balls, pond pump, and nozzle kit.
Additional Information
Don’t forget the Tubing!
Pumps work best when used with filtration and aeration. Nozzles attach directly to pond pumps, but most filtration and other accessories must be connected with tubing. For pond and waterfall pumps, we recommend using the largest tubing size option for maximum performance. All smartpond pumps and filters recommend the appropriate tubing, be sure to consult the label or website for compatible tubing size.
Finishing touches
Adding rocks or flowers around your pond is a great way to hide cords and tubing. Rocks or pavers also help weigh down the liner. For the finishing touch, the addition of nozzle displays, spitters, lights, and floating décor make your pond look complete.
It’s time to start building!
You've planned your pond and selected your products. Now it's time to build!