The best part about working with one of your old fish ponds is getting to learn from earlier mistakes. An old or decaying pond gives you an opportunity to explore what worked for this pond, what didn’t, and what needs to be changed: is it too shallow for fish, but just deep enough for weeds? Are the edges too steep, causing erosion? Are there any broken features? Is there a pond liner? How about a pump? Oftentimes, you’ll need to pull debris out of a neglected pond, as trash and soil will build up on the bottom and it may even need to be dredged. Once you’ve cleaned up the space, it’s time to begin planning for a fresh start. To renovate and renew your pond, consider adjusting the depth of the pond to provide more room for fish and discourage the growth of plain old weeds. While you’re at it, plan to minimize erosion by creating sloping sides and maybe add some underwater features like spawning areas, underwater islands and hiding places to make it a perfect fish paradise. This is also an ideal time for replacing or upgrading key equipment such as pumps, aerators and filter setups.
Of course, if you’re inheriting someone else’s abandoned pond or you’ve just gotten past the pond bug, you have the license to get even more creative. How about a simple fountain, sans fish or plants? Or a waterless feature with a “riverbed” of rounded stones and a profusion of plants? Alternatively, you could fill it in and create a rock garden, or even install an in-ground fire pit with benches and a bar. Take a look at some landscaping resources, particularly those focused on correcting problems. Yours may seem like a permanent eyesore, but actually the possibilities are endless.
