You can make your garden more attractive to the eye by adding a pond or water feature. Although there are several possibilities and designs, a pond is not appropriate for all gardens. A backyard pond kit can be a good option if you decide to build a pond, but you don’t know what you need or how to do it.
A standard pond kit will include everything you’ll need to start, eliminating the guesswork about what you’ll need for your new pond. You’ll be able to find the perfect solution for your needs, whether that’s a backyard pond kit with a waterfall, an inside pond kit, or something in between.
This article will discuss what a pond kit is, its contents, and the variations of available pond kits. We will also talk about the different sizes of pond kit options.
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Four Kinds Of Ponds Styles
When looking to build a pond, it is essential to choose what pond style you want. This article will discuss four main different pond styles: Formal, Waterfall, Bottom Drainage, And Ecosystem ponds.
Formal Pond Design
The goal is to create a water feature with straight lines and apparent symmetry, not to make the pond look natural. Formal-style ponds and water gardens are typically more outlined and straight in shape, regularity, and scale.
Ecosystem Pond Design
An ecosystem pond’s purpose is to transform an otherwise closed body of water into a thriving mini-environment. Streams and rivers and the consequent pools of water along the route are regularly replenished with fresh, clean water, allowing them to maintain life while washing contaminants down the stream.
Waterfall Pond Design
The only difference between waterfall and ecosystem pond kits is that a waterfall filter is incorporated instead of an external pressurized filter. Waterfall filters are sometimes favored because they make it simpler to hide the filter.
Bottom Drainage Pond Design
Unlike the other kits, these ponds are generally constructed for a specific purpose. Rather than “ponds,” they’re seen as “pools” or “houses” for a variety of expensive koi.
What Does A Pond Supply Kit Include?
All components you’ll need to create your backyard pond are included in a pond kit. The ponds are elevated above the ground rather than buried in most cases. Therefore, everything you need to build your pond gets included in the kit by a professional pond designer, including the structure, liner, and pump.
To Construct The Pond, You’ll Need
- Underlayment
- Pond liner
- Bricks or heavy rocks
- Pump
- Filter
- Tubing, pipes, and fittings
- Skimmer (optional)
- Aerator (optional)
- Heater (optional)
- Lighting (optional)
- Water
- Material to finish pond edge
To begin, you must determine how deep it will be. That depends entirely on the sort of liner you purchased. Your pond’s liner prevents water from seeping into the earth. Pre-formed and flexible pond liners are the two types available.
Stores selling home and garden supplies frequently have pre-formed kits. Even though they are available in various forms, they limit your ideas.
Flexible liners are enormous sheets of plastic or rubber that can get manipulated into many sizes, depths, and shapes. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is stable and suitable for plants and fish, is the most commonly suggested flexible pond liner material. EPDM may shrink and extend to accommodate growing roots or ground shifts beneath your pond.
It can be placed in temperatures low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and air gases that cause plastics to break down. If you pick a flexible liner, you’ll need to know your pond’s volume (total size) and the amount of water it will contain. Then, you’ll need to circulate and clean the water before purchasing the liner, underlayment, pump, and filtration system.
Measure across the longest portion of the pond, then across the widest part and down to the deepest area to determine the size of liner you’ll need. Fill up the blanks with your data:
pond length + (2 x pond depth) + 2 feet Equals liner length
pond width + (2 x pond depth) + 2 feet Equals pond liner width
Liner area = liner length x liner breadth (total size of liner)
What Are The Best Pond Kits?
Pond kits are designed to make the pond equipment selection and purchase straightforward. A pond expert has carefully selected each piece of equipment in the kit for the style of pond you wish to construct. We will look deeper into the four different pond styles and available kits.
Best Formal Pond Kits
Uniform shapes, such as rectangles, squares, or arching circles, may be present in these standard kits. It’s typically constructed above ground level and can get put below ground. They get usually seen in prefabricated structures like decks, patios, walkways informal gardens.
What Does The American Pond Professional Series Pond Kit Contain:
- Biological Waterfall with Lifetime Warranty on body
- Pond Skimmer with Lifetime Warranty on body
- Firestone 45 mil EPDM Pond Liner – 20 Year Limited Warranty
- Underlayment
- Hybrid OR Stainless Steel Solids Handling Direct Drive
- Water Treatment
- Flexible Tubing
- Instructions
| Medium Pond Kit | Large Pond Kit | X – L Pond Kit | Titan Series Pond Kit | Colossus Plus Series Pond Kit |
| 8 x 11 – foot Energy Saving Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 11 – foot Energy Saving Large Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot Energy Saving X – Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot Energy Saving Titan Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Energy Saving Colossus Pond Kit |
| 11 x 11 – foot Energy Saving Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – foot Energy Saving Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot Energy Saving X – Large Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Energy Saving Titan Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot Energy Saving Colossus Pond Kit |
| 11 x 16 – foot Energy Saving Medium Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot Energy Saving Large Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Energy Saving X – Large Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot Energy Saving Titan Pond Kit | 26 x 26 – foot Energy Saving Colossus Pond Kit |
| 8 x 11 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 11 – foot Large Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot X – Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot Titan Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Colossus Pond Kit |
| 11 x 11 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – foot Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot X – Large Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Titan Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot Colossus Pond Kit |
| 11 x 16 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot Large Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot X – Large Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot Titan Pond Kit | 26 x 26 – foot Colossus Pond Kit |
What Does The Easypro Pro Series Medium Pond Kit Contain:
- Liner underlayment
- 45 Mil Firestone Pond Liner EPDM Fish Safe
- Medium AquaFalls filter
- Beneficial bacteria water treatment
- Pro – Series skimmer with filter brushes
- 25 feet of flex PVC pipe
- Energy-efficient submersible pond pump
- PVC primer, glue, liner patch, black foam, and two tubes of silicone
- Three mini LED lights with a 45 – watt transformer (the large pond kit comes with four lights)
- Check valve assembly, fittings, and instructions
| Small Pond Kit | Medium Pond Kit | Large Pond Kit |
| 6 x 6 – foot Small Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 24 x 24 – foot Large Pond Kit |
| 6 x 11 – foot Small Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 24 -x 34 – foot Large Pond Kit |
| 8 x 11 – foot Small Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 34 x 34 – foot Large Pond Kit |
| 11 x 11 – foot Small Pond Kit | 21 x 21 – foot Medium Pond Kit | |
| 11 x 16 – foot Small Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot Medium Pond Kit |
What Does The Atlantic Professional Series Pond Kit Contain:
- Biological Waterfall Filter
- Flexible PVC Pipe
- Pro Series Pond Skimmer
- LED Pond Lights
- Atlantic TidalWave3 TT – Series Magnetic Drive Pump or Atlantic Direct Drive A – Series Pump
- Complete Installation Kit Including Glue, Cleaner, Thread Sealant, and Black FallsFoam
- Triton Check Valve
- 45 Mil EPDM Pond Liner
- Autofill Valve
- Heavy-Duty Underlayment
| Small Pond Kit | Medium Pond Kit | Large Pond Kit | X – Large Pond Kit |
| 6 x 11 – foot Small Pond Kit | 11 x 11 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – foot Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – foot X – Large Pond Kit |
| 11 x 11 – foot Small Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – foot Medium Pond Kit | 16 x 16 – foot Large Pond Kit | 21 x 26 – foot X – Large Pond Kit |
What Does The Savio 800 Gallon Complete Pond Kit Contain:
- Underlayment 12 x 15 – foot
- Water Master Solids Pump 2050
- 45 mil. EPDM Liner 12 x 15 – foot
- 1½ – inch x 25 – foot Kink-Free hose
- Skimmerfilter Base Unit
- Plumbing Kit
- Skimmerfilter 6 – inch Faceplate
- Installation Guide
- 16 – foot FilterWeir
- How to Build a Livingpond DVD
| Small Pond Kit | Medium Pond Kit | Large Pond Kit | X – Large Pond Kit |
| 6 x 10 – foot Small Pond Kit | 8 x 11 – Foot Medium Pond Kit | 11 x 16 – Foot Large Pond Kit | 16 x 21 – Foot X – Large Pond Kit |
| 6 x 10 – foot Small Pond Kit With 18 Watt UV | 8 x 11 – Foot Medium Pond Kit With 18 Watt UV | 11 x 16 – Foot Large Pond Kit With 26 Watt UV | 16 x 21 – Foot X – Large Pond Kit With 50 Watt UV |
Best Pond Kits With Waterfall
The filter is housed within the waterfall and serves as the foundation for the spillway. Another benefit of waterfall filters is that they do not add head pressure to the pumping system, unlike externally pressured filters.
In some cases, that can result in a somewhat more efficient load on the pump. But, of course, waterfall filters have drawbacks as well. Many people prefer external pressured filters since they are faster and easier to clean. You can clean it without making a mess in only a few minutes if you use an external filter.
Cleaning a waterfall filter is typically a more tedious operation that entails removing the contents from the filter and cleaning it by hand. On the other hand, a waterfall filtration system can usually save you a few dollars, so it can be a good choice if you’re on a budget.
What Does The American Pond Medium Pond Free Pro-Series Waterfall Kit Contain:
- 10 x 12 – foot Firestone 45 mil EPDM Pond Liner – 20 – year warranty
- 26 – inch PRO Spillway – CLOSE TOP – Lifetime Warranty on Body
- Pump Vault Without Autofill
- 2 – inch Check Valve Assembly
- 4000 GPH Hybrid Pump – 2-Year Warranty
- 10 x 10 – foot Underlayment
- Black Waterfall Foam 12oz
- Debris Scrub 8 oz Water Treatment
- 2 – inch ID PVC Flex hose x 25 – foot – Black
What Does The Atlantic Pro Series Pond Free Waterfall Kit W/ 19 – inch. Stream 10 X 15 Liner Contain:
- Basin Size: 54 – Inch x 32 – inch x 18 – inch
- Stream Bed: 19 inch – 24 inch Width x 6 foot Length
- PV1800 Pump Vault 10,000 Gallons Per Hour
- SP1900 Pro Series FastFalls 19 – inch Wier 4,00 Gallons Per Hour
- TT4000 TidalWave3 Pump 4000 Gallons Per Hour
- 2 – inch x 25 – foot Flexible PVC Pipes
- 10 x 15 – foot 45 mil EPDM pond liner
- 1 x 1 – foot Heavy-duty Underlayment
- 3 Eco-Blox
- Triton Check Valve
- Two high-quality pond lights
- AF1000 AutoFill
- Complete Installation Kit Including Glue, Cleaner, Thread Sealant, and (3)-12oz FallsFoam
What Does The Atlantic Pro Series Pond Free Waterfall Kit W/ 26 – inch. Stream 10 X 20 Liner Contain:
- Basin Size: 54 x 48 x 18 – foot Stream Bed: 26 – 32 inch W x 10 Feet L
- PV1800 Pump Vault 10,000 Gallons Per Hour
- SP2600 Pro Series FastFalls 19- inch Wier 4,00 Gallons Per Hour
- TT5000 TidalWave3 Pump 5000 Gallons Per Hour
- 2 – inch x 2 – foot Flexible PVC Pipes
- 10 x 20 – foot 45 mil EPDM pond liner
- 1 x 2 – foot Heavy-duty Underlayment
- Triton Check Valve
- 5 Eco-Blox
- Includes compact underwater lights
- AF1000 AutoFill
- Complete Installation Kit Including Glue, Cleaner, Thread Sealant, and (3)-12oz FallsFoam
What Does The Savio 8′ Ft Pond Free Waterfall Package – Pf0500contain:
- Underlayment 10 x 15 – foot
- 45 mil. EPDM Liner – 10 x 15 – foot
- Waterfall Well
- Water Master Clear Pump – 2220 GPH
- 2 – inch x 15 – foot Kink-Free hose
- FilterWeir 16
- Black Foam
- How to Build a Pond Free Waterfall DVD
- Step-by-Step Instructions
What Does The Savio 1 Foot Pond Free Waterfall Package – Pf1000 Contain:
- Underlayment 10 x 20 – foot
- 45 mil. EPDM Liner – 10 x 20 – foot
- Waterfall Well
- Water Master Clear Pump – 3960 Gallons Per Hour
- 2 – inch x 20 – foot Kink-Free hose
- FilterWeir 16
- Black Foam
- How to Build a Pond Free Waterfall DVD
- Step-by-Step Instructions
What Does The Savio 1 Foot Pro-Series Pond Free Waterfall Package – Pf1500 contain:
- Underlayment 10 x 25 – foot
- 45 mil. EPDM Liner – 10 x 25 – foot
- F060 31- inch LivingPonds Waterfall
- Waterfall Well WW1000 and K6001 Extension
- Water Master Solids Pump – 6500 GPH
- 3 PondFree Blocks holding 90 Gallons
- 2 – inch x 3 – foot Kink-Free hose
- K6014 Pump Discharge and Plumbing Fittings
- IGNITE Puck Light
- Three cans of 12 oz of Black Waterfall Foam
- Building a Pond Free Waterfall DVD
- Instructions
Best Pond Kits With Bottom Drain
In contrast, an ecosystem pond aims to produce a natural-style pond that can exist as its mini-environment to support pond life. Ecosystem ponds can readily help koi and goldfish. However, the quantity of koi will be lower than in a dedicated koi pond.
Koi Bottom Drain Pond Kit, Foot Falls, 3000 GPH
- HydroDrain Koi Bottom Drain 3 – inch Slip
- Helix Pond Skimmer-Ext, Pre-Drilled
- HydroSieve PF Compact Pond Sieve-3 – inch Slip
- Sequence Priming Pot Strainer Basket – 2 In 90 ci
- Sequence 4K 5000 Energy Saving Pump
- Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima II 4000 Filter 2 In Valve
- Aqua UV Classic 57 watt UV Sterilizer/Clarifier
- Aquascape Waterfall Spillway
- Aquascape LED 3 Light Kit – 1 Watt
- Autofill Kit with Faucet Connection – Helix Skimmer
- Matala Pad for Helix Skimmer
- CrystalClear Biological Clarifier – 96 Packets (Treats 96,000 gal)
- CrystalClear Vanish – Dechlorinator Liquid-1 gal
- Flexible Schedule 40 PVC Hose – 2 Inch x 50 Ft
- PVC Union Fitting – 2 – inch Slip
- Check Valve – 2 – inch Slip
- PVC Wye Fitting – 2 – inch Slip
- PVC Reducer Bushing – 3 – inch SPT x 2 – inch SLIP
- PVC Adapter Fitting – 2 – inch MPT x 2 – inch Slip
- Airmax KoiAir 1 Aeration Kit
- Coupling Schedule 40 -3 – inch Slip
Best Ecosystem Pond Kit
There are two types of fish pond kits: those with submersible pumps and those with external pumps. Submersible pumps are usually easier to install because they may be hidden inside the skimmer and don’t require a priming pot.
Ecosystem Pond Kits with Submersible Pump 2 – Foot High Waterfall sizes
| Pump Size | Pump Type | Fish Pond Size | No Fish Pond Size | Waterfall Size (100-200 Gallons Per Hour per inch of width) |
| 750 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 750 Gallons | up to 1500 Gallons | 2 feet high, up to 7.5 – inches wide (spillway not included) |
| 1350 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 1350 Gallons | up to 2700 Gallons | 2 feet high, up to 13.5 – inches wide (spillway not included) |
| 2100 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 2100 Gallons | up to 4200 Gallons | 2 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 3000 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 3000 Gallons | up to 6000 Gallons | 2 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 3600 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 3600 Gallons | up to 7200 Gallons | 2 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
Ecosystem Pond Kits with Submersible Pump 4 – foot High Waterfall
| Pump Size | Pump Type | Fish Pond Size | No Fish Pond Size | Waterfall Size (100-200 Gallons Per Hour per inch of width) |
| 1000 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 1000 Gallons | up to 2000 Gallons | 4 feet high, up to 10 – inches wide (spillway not included) |
| 1600 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 1600 Gallons | up to 3200 Gallons | 4 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 2600 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 2600 Gallons | up to 5200 Gallons | 4 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 3100 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 3100 Gallons | up to 6200 Gallons | 4 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
PRO Ecosystem Pond Kits with Submersible Pump 2-foot – 3-foot High Waterfall (higher quality skimmer, pumps, and filters)
| Pump Size | Pump Type | Fish Pond Size | No Fish Pond Size | Waterfall Size (100-200 Gallons Per Hour per inch of width) |
| 1800 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 1800 Gallons | up to 3600 Gallons | 2-3 feet high, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 2500 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 2500 Gallons | up to 5000 Gallons | 2-3 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 3500 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 3500 Gallons | up to 7000 Gallons | 2-3 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 4900 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 4900 Gallons | up to 9800 Gallons | 2-3 feet tall, two 22 – inches wide spillways included |
| 5400 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 5400 Gallons | up to 10,800 Gallons | 2-3 feet tall, two 22 – inches wide spillways included |
PRO Ecosystem Pond Kits with Submersible Pump 7-foot High Waterfall
| Pump Size | Pump Type | Fish Pond Size | No Fish Pond Size | Waterfall Size (100-200 Gallons Per Hour per inch of width) |
| 800 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 800 Gallons | up to 1600 Gallons | 7 feet high, up to 8 – inches wide (spillway not included) |
| 1900 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 1900 Gallons | up to 3800 Gallons | 7 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 2800 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 2800 Gallons | up to 5600 Gallons | 7 feet tall, 22 – inches wide spillway included |
| 4200 Gallons Per Hour | Submersible | up to 4200 Gallons | up to 8400 Gallons | 7 feet tall, two 22 – inches wide spillways included |
Conclusion
There are four main types of ponds, and each style has different sizes. We talked about Formal ponds, waterfall ponds, bottom drainage ponds, and ecosystem ponds. Formal-style ponds and water gardens are typically more “formal.” They are usually round, square, or rectangular and are generally above ground.
The only difference between waterfall and ecosystem pond kits is that a waterfall filter is incorporated instead of an external pressurized filter. In addition, a bottom drainage pond is better if you want to hide the pump altogether.
References
https://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/how-to-build-a-pond.htm
