If you are considering building a Belfast sink pond, you probably have some good reasons. Whether it is to save money on the cost of a regular garden pond or to enhance your landscape, a Belfast sink is a good idea. However, you should know that there are a few pitfalls to avoid and that you might end up having to buy a good bit more materials than originally anticipated.
Building a Belfast pond is relatively easy when compared to other pond installations. You will need to find a good Friday’s farm sale (if not, go to a second-hand store) or a garage sale and purchase the necessary materials for your new pond. Some of the more common ones you will need including the water pump, the water filter, and the soil mix. If you don’t plan to put fish in your new garden pond, consider using one of the different types of artificial or natural pond fish or plants. Also, there are many options for a good location of your new pond in your yard.
The best thing to do is to buy a piece of property with a flat area and then lay the rock and water mixture on top of it. Keep in mind that you can always build on a potato bed later if you want. Some good locations are along or near trails, near a garden path or next to an existing patio. A concrete pump is the best material for a water pond because it requires less maintenance, and it is usually easier to clean.
Once you have your location and your pump, there are a few important decisions to make about your landscaping ponds. The most important is to decide whether you are going to use a mesh material or vinyl material for your Belfast sink. Mesh material is better at withstanding bigger amounts of weight, but the problem with using this material is that it is also more likely to become damaged by the weather. Vinyl material is much better for smaller scale landscaping ponds.
Another choice that will help maintain the cleanliness of your Belfast pond is to add a layer of fish netting over the entire surface of the pond. This will discourage all kinds of insects from laying their eggs on the surface of the pond. The best way to determine which type of landscaping pond to use is to look at what would be the natural conditions for the pond. If there are lots of tree leaves or other types of debris then you probably want to use a mesh material. If leaves and other forms of debris are scarce then you should consider using vinyl.
Your plants can help to keep the algae growth down as well. However, certain types of plants can actually help to promote the growth of algae. If you choose a plant that is very popular then the algae will be stunted. This will also help to keep the water clarity down. It is also a good idea to keep in mind that some types of water plants can actually reduce the oxygen level of the pond and this can be bad for the health of both plants and fish.
Some types of material cannot stand up to UV exposure and this can cause a problem. Metal is typically used for this type of material but it is important to use something that will not be affected by UV rays. If you choose to use metal then the material should have a coating that can protect it. This coating should be made from an alloy that will not be affected by the UV rays. Aluminum is often used as the main material for this type of material. This is because it is a much stronger material that can withstand the UV rays.
Finally, the condition of the filter should also be a major concern. A clean filter will help to prevent the spread of disease and it will also be easier for fish to survive in a healthy garden pond. A dirty filter can cause a number of problems including poor water quality and reduced oxygen levels. Having a clean filter will help to maintain the balance of the environment.