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Sizing and positioning your pond

An attractive pond full of colour and movement can transform any garden or patio and will become a relaxing focal point for many months every year. Selecting the pond most suited to your available space is an essential element in achieving the right results. Pick from a variety of Affinity Pools for decks or patios, pre-formed pond designs, or flexible pond liner.

When deciding where to site your pond, consider the following points.

The pond should ideally be in an area that receives sunlight for around half the day. Natural light is essential to encourage plant growth and will aid in the process of developing a natural water feature in the garden, but excess sunlight causes algae to grow, resulting in green water.

The pond should be sited away from trees, as their leaves will pollute the pond and tree roots can also pierce the pond lining material.

The pond should also be in a position that will allow easy access to both water and electricity, to provide power for pumps, filters, lighting etc.

Finally, but of equal importance, the pond should be in a position where it can be viewed and enjoyed.

An Affinity is an extremely versatile way to introduce water to the garden without the limitations of a sunken pond. The only requirements are a flat, clear and level area, otherwise the pool can go almost anywhere. Affinity Pools can go on most surfaces (including gravel) but ensure the ground is free from protruding, sharp objects, and that the underlay is used.

Position the pool where it won’t get knocked or banged, i.e. in a thoroughfare or behind a door as this would scare and traumatise the fish. Get the most pleasure from the pool by putting it where you can also see it lit up at night.

While the shape and size of a pond is down to personal preferences, there are some basic guidelines that will help you to select the right pond for your garden.

Would you like a formal design, such as a rectangular shape, perhaps surrounded by a paved area? Or would you prefer a more informal shape, with flowing curves and varying depth?

Either way, it is a clever idea to avoid over-complicated shapes with tight curves, as this can lead to ‘dead spots’ in the water where there is little or no flow. Make the pond at least 46cm (18 in) deep as this allows fish to survive through the winter and will reduce excessive temperature fluctuations. Large fish, such as koi, require a depth of around 1 metre to allow them to grow properly.

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