Building a average sized pond in your yard can be time consuming and hazardous, especially if you have little children or animals lurking about. My alternative to this is to use an above ground “pond” built entirely from freecycled materials.
We used:
Choose your pond's permanent location, once done you can situate and frame in your pond. (We used two large metal shelving units against the sides to make the tub's rough sides look aesthetically pleasing.)
Cover the large overflow hole with the fine mesh to keep out or in any animals that are around.
Plug the smaller hold on the bottom of the tub with a regular bathtub pug. This will need to be checked when you clean your pond annually or biannually.
Build your child and pet proof cover using the 2x2's , the plywood and the chicken mesh. Use the 2x2's to make a box around the top of the tub, stretch the mesh over top and secure it into place using the plywood and some screws.
Secure the lid to your pond using the hinges, and for extra security, add a lock latch at the front to keep the lid tightly closed.
You are now ready to fill your pond with interesting rocks, plants, and animals, and watch it flourish.
We used:
- An old bathtub
- Materials to “frame in” sides and back of pond
- (2) 8' long 2x2's
- roughly 8' of chicken mesh, doubled over
(any type of mesh will do just fine) - 6' of plywood, cut to the shape of a bench on the back and sides of the pond.
- 3 large hinges to secure lid
- 4”x4” of fine mesh to cover overflow
Choose your pond's permanent location, once done you can situate and frame in your pond. (We used two large metal shelving units against the sides to make the tub's rough sides look aesthetically pleasing.)
Cover the large overflow hole with the fine mesh to keep out or in any animals that are around.
Plug the smaller hold on the bottom of the tub with a regular bathtub pug. This will need to be checked when you clean your pond annually or biannually.
Build your child and pet proof cover using the 2x2's , the plywood and the chicken mesh. Use the 2x2's to make a box around the top of the tub, stretch the mesh over top and secure it into place using the plywood and some screws.
Secure the lid to your pond using the hinges, and for extra security, add a lock latch at the front to keep the lid tightly closed.
You are now ready to fill your pond with interesting rocks, plants, and animals, and watch it flourish.