Fish farming is a lucrative venture. You can consume some of the fish in your pond and sell the rest. People love fish because it’s a source of protein and omega-3. However, when it comes to building a pond, most people make costly mistakes. Below are examples of some frequent mistakes and why you should avert them.
Not Deep Enough
The most common mistake made by first-time pond makers is digging too shallow. If the pond is not deep enough, the water will evaporate, and you’ll have to refill it over and over again. The water needs to be deep enough to prevent freezing in the winter.
Shallow ponds expose your fish to predators like cats and birds. Consult with a professional before initiating the project. A professional will help you decide on the most appropriate depth. Alternatively, you can buy pre-fabricated ‘shells’ with a predetermined depth for your pond.
Digging Too Deep
You shouldn’t make your pond too deep because it will prevent sunlight from striking the bottom. Without proper sunlight, your pond can become stagnant and weeds will grow out of control. There will also be a foul smell coming from the pond.
Regulations prevent you from making the pond too deep. If you dig beyond the recommended depth, the pond automatically turns into a swimming pool. According to local laws, pools have different requirements. You’ll incur more costs if you decide to maintain the ‘pool.’
Forgetting to Aerate the Pond
Your pond requires oxygen to keep your fish alive and improve the quality of water. You can aerate your pond by installing a pond spitter or any other feature that encourages the circulation of water. Pond Aeration keeps your pond clean and reduces muck. When the water circulates, it extracts decomposing nutrients from the bottom of the pond.
A pond without aeration will have an unstable temperature – the water below will be cooler than the one above. Also, you must add beneficial bacteria in your pond that helps maintain the eco system of the pond.
Not Thinking About Safety
If you have young children, don’t build a pond in your yard. According to statistics, children are at a higher risk of drowning in a pond. Consult with your lawyer or local authorities about safety measures. You can erect barriers around the pond to prevent children from accessing it.
Even if your kids don’t drown in the pond, you’ll still be liable to the local authorities for not adhering to the rules.
Putting the Fish in Too Early
After you’re done building the pond and filling it up with water, don’t put the fish in immediately. You should wait at least three days before you can do that. Your pond needs time to adjust to the surroundings. For example, the water plants need time to get used to the pond’s temperature so that they can grow.
If you put fish inside the pond immediately, they may die or get sick because the pond’s ecosystem is not established. Some people wait as long as one month before putting fish in the pond.
Forgetting About Underground Utility Lines
Utility companies deliver services to your home through underground pipes and channels. Before you dig the pond, consult with your utility provider. Ask them to provide you with maps of underground connection lines so that you can avoid them when digging. If you strike an underground gas pipe by mistake, the site could blow up, and you’d end up in the hospital with horrific burns.
Putting Too Many Fish in the Pond
Don’t be tempted to put a lot of fish in your pond. Have a plan. Start with a small number and gradually replace them with new ones. If your pond has a lot of fish, many will die from lack of oxygen. The fish will compete with each other for oxygen. Having lots of fish leads to more waste and more maintenance work.
