How to Build a Water Pond
 
Hi, today I will show you how to build a water pond by yourself.
 
The first thing you need to do is, ask yourself where you want to put the pond. It should be in a place where you see it instantly upon entering the yard.  You may also choose to install it at the back of your back yard.  By installing the pond in the back portion of your yard, you will make the yard look deeper.  I recommend installing the pond where it can be visible from the house at almost any angle. 
 
The second step is to pick the liner for your pond. You can choose a pre-formed liner or a soft liner. For this article we will discuss using the pre-formed liner. This liner is more durable, easier to install, and easier to clean. You have to choose the form before digging so you will have the exact shape and the depth of the hole. Now that you know how big, how deep, and where your pond is going to be, you may need to check with local housing authorities to ensure your plans conform to established zoning rules.  Better safe than sorry!  When this is complete, it’s time to dig.  Trace the form of your pond on your lawn and measure how deep you will have to dig.  Be sure to dig two inches deeper than the depth of the pond liner.  To fit your liner properly, put two inches of sand in the hole before inserting your liner.  This will provide a much better fit, while at the same time protecting the liner from rocks.
 
The third step is to bring electricity to the pond.  This step should be done by a professional, if more than one extension cord is needed.  You can purchase a solar pump to avoid the hassle of cords.  Now you can put water into your new pond to see if everything is right. Start the pump to make sure it’s working properly before you start decorating your pond.
 
The fourth step, the one people like the most, is decorating your pond. Make it look as natural as you can.  Use rocks and plants to hide extension cords and to hide the contour of the liner.  You can now add decorative solar lighting which will provide a nice accent to your pond at night.
 
The only limitation you have in decorating your pond is your own imagination!  Don’t be afraid to experiment.  You will love the result! The thing I love the most about this hobby is that I can upgrade or change things as much as I want.  Every year I add something or change something, which becomes a great conversation piece when we have friends or family over for a visit. 
 
Good luck!
How to Have a Healthy Water Pond for your Fish and Vegetation
To have a healthy pond you must have pH balance water, to get this balance after the pond is filled you must proceed like this:
 
Analyse the water.
 
The first time you fill your pond, the water might contain chemical pollutants and minerals that are toxic for the fishes and the plants. Those chemical substances are the chlorine, the chloramines, the ammonia and many more found in the tap water. The chlorine found in tap water dissipates generally after a few days. But for other chemicals
like a combination of chlorine and ammonia, take much more time to decompose.
 
Before introducing plants or fish in the pond, you must analyse the water. After the pond is fill, wait at least one week before testing the water. You can detect almost every toxic substance in the water when testing the pH, the ammonia, the chlorines and the hardness of the water. The pH is the measure of the acidity or the alkalinity. The scale goes from 0 (very acid) from 14 (very alkaline), 7 is neutral and it means that the water is pure. A healthy water has a pH that range between 6.5 and 8.5. You can buy the test kit in pet store, where you bought your pond or online. The indication included in the kit will tell you witch water conditioner to use to correct the situation.
 
Rectify the water parameter
 
A variety of water treatments is offered to balance the water pH and eliminate the toxic substances from your pond. But you should not use them unless the test tells you to.
Some fish and plant retailer suggest that you put a conditioner in the pond before you introduce the fishes or the plants in the pond, just for precaution. However, if the test marks that the water is correct, it doesn’t need conditioner. If you decide to go with the conditioner anyway, follow the instruction on the label.
 
 
 
Solar Light FAQ
Solar Lighting: How Do They Work?
 
Today’s gardener is faced with a variety of choices and options when it comes to sprucing up the exterior of their home.  Lighting has become an increasingly trendy thing to add to any exterior. Today, solar landscape lights are very popular and are showing up more and more in driveways, pathways, gardens, and landscapes.  The average gardener just starting out may have some questions on whether or not solar lighting is the option they are looking for.
 
How do solar landscape lights work?
 
Solar lights work by using the sun’s energy taken in during the day and converting it to stored energy that can be used to power light fixtures at night, like a solar lighthouse effect.  Solar lights consist of a solar panel that collects the sun’s energy and converts it to usable energy.  The light consists of a nickel-metal hydride battery that stores the electricity, than uses an LED lamp to emit the light.  There is also a sensor or timer that automatically turns the light on when the sun goes down.
 
What are the advantages?
 
The most obvious advantages to solar lights are that they are both cost effective and easy to install.  They come in so many varieties to choose from and each type takes literally minutes to hook up.  Further, they are powered by the sun’s energy; so outside of the product cost, they are literally free to run.  This comes with the added benefit of conserving energy and being environmentally friendly at the same time.
 
How do I know solar lights are for me?
 
If lighting for security is your primary goal for outdoor lighting, you may want to look at conventional lighting so that you know your outdoor lights will remain on.  Solar lights may not be the best choice for security measures alone as the lights will only operate as long as the battery does.  However if you are looking for accents or aesthetic lighting near seating areas, pools, trees, or other landscaping, solar lightning will be a great asset to your garden.  Solar lights are also very effective in complementing any existing security features you have.
 
How long do the parts last?
 
The LED portion of the fixture is designed to never burn out over the lifetime of the light which is generally defined by about 25 years.  The LED themselves are not replaceable for this reason.  The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are designed to operate from fully charged until discharged like any other battery. Always replace with the same kind of batteries  These will typically last about 1,000 nights and are very easy to replace when you need to.  When the batteries are fully charged, you can expect to get about 10 hours of nighttime use from it.
 
What kind of lights are there?
 
The kinds of lights available are as numbered as there are ideas.  The number of styles and shapes to choose from is varied, and you will be able to choose according to how soft or bright you want your light to be.  You can also match your solar lights with the design of your home.  The choice is yours.
 
It is easy to create a welcoming ambiance for your outdoor living and you will not waste either time or money doing it.  With solar lights, you will see that your yard is always lighted by the sun, even when it is night time.