Building

• Building a garden pond is no small endeavor. This task takes a lot of planning and decision making before you can begin. Garden ponds can literally be any shape, size and level of intricacy. Construction involves planning and digging the area to the desired shape, followed by the installation of a liner. The pond also needs a pump and a filter to maintain cleanliness and an adequate environment for aquatic life.
  
  

Supplies

• A container pond is just as it sounds: a container that you bury to the lip and fill with water. It is a good option for small yards and gardens, and there are many options available. If you dug your own pond, there are different liner options. You can use cement to line your garden pond--this is the most expensive and also the most permanent. Flexible pond liners are similar to an above ground pool liner and can be made to fit any shape.
  
  

Water Plants

• Aquatic plant life is beneficial and helps maintain the balance of the pond's ecosystem. There are many types of water plants. Water lilies are deep-water plants that grow until their leaves float on the surface of the water. Oxygenators do not touch the surface--they are underwater plants. Partly emerging water plants poke up out of the surface. Be careful not to introduce disease through a new water plant in the ecosystem of your pond.
  
  

Fish

• There are two very popular pond fish. Koi, a large type of Japanese carp, is a colorful favorite and often occupies the ponds of Japanese gardens. They are large fish and require a minimum pond of 1000 gallons and a depth of at least 3 feet. Goldfish also make great pond fish and they do not need such a large volume of water. A deeper, larger pond is not difficult to care for and a deep area will protect your fish from predators like raccoons and cats.
  
  

Accessories

• Water is a wonderful medium and there are many ways of displaying it. You can incorporate waterfalls in your garden pond with a little planning and a good pump. A fountain is a soothing addition to an established pond. You can even install lights in and around the water and create a nighttime getaway.
  
  

Maintenance

• In order to sustain aquatic life in your pond you must maintain it. Algae may decide to wage war with you. There are ways of managing algae buildup. UV filters are a sure way of defeating algae by preventing it from forming. You can introduce certain plant to maintain a balance. Supplies such as vacuums to manage floor buildup, an aerator, filters, a net and pump supplies are also required. An efficient and informed pond caretaker will find it easier than expected.