- 1). Outline the pond shape with a sprinkle of sand. If you are planning on keeping fish or turtles in the pond, there should be three levels of depth: the deepest, at around 24 inches, should be around 40 percent of the pond. The mid-level should be around 18 inches, with the shallows grading from 18 to around 10 inches. Dig out the pond shape and levels.
- 2). Place the pump on the side of the pond in the shallows, and dig out a small trench the size of the pump. The trench should be deep enough that the pond pump will be submerged in water once the pond is full.
- 3). Spread an inch of sand over the entire pond floor -- this will cushion the pond liner and prevent tears. Put the pond liner over the pond and press it into the deep level. Fill the deep level with water to help keep the pond liner down. Spread the pond liner over the mid-level and shallows, using river stones to help weigh the liner down.
- 4). Place larger river stones in a random pattern on top of the pond liner around the rim of the pond to secure it in place, then trim the excess pond liner with scissors or a utility knife.
- 5). Put the pump into its recess and run the power cord back away from the pond. Disguise the pump with a couple of larger stones over the top of the recess, then place the water plants around the perimeter or in the shallows, depending on their environmental needs.
- 6). Fill the remainder of the pond with water -- enough so that the pump has at least 2 inches of water over the top. Plug the power cord of the pump in and turn it on to start the pump. Your pond is now complete.
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