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New shoot 2025 
Driehof Tecklenburg, pond and water garden

How to build a pond: The complete DIY guide

What’s the best way to build your own pond?

Preformed ponds are an easy, straightforward way to create a beautiful pond in your garden. They simplify the construction of a pond and are also ideal for those with less experience – making them perfect for beginners.


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Landscape design of home garden close-up. Beautiful landscaping with small pond and waterfall. Landscaped place with rocks at country house. Stone landscaping in luxury backyard or yard in summer.

What do I need to build a DIY garden pond?

You don’t need any specialist tools to build your pond. All you need is:

  • A spade

  • A shovel

  • Filling sand (simple play sand is fine)

  • A spirit level

  • A folding rule

A garden hose with a water connection

The foundation is an Oase preformed pond, which you can choose depending on your preferred shape and size. An unbeatable advantage of the preformed ponds is how simple and convenient they are to install, even without experience.


How big should a pond be?

A garden pond can be built in different sizes and can therefore be easily adapted to the size and conditions in your garden. The Oase preformed ponds are available in many different sizes and can be chosen according to the available space.

Consider the location, too. The ideal pond location should be as clear as possible from overhanging trees in order to avoid excessive pollution. It is optimal for the pond to have sunshine for 4-6 hours a day to create ideal conditions if you want to keep fish.


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How to build your garden pond

1.Choose your location
Position the preformed pond in the desired location and mark the outline with sand.

2.Mark it out
Mark the different depth zones of the pond with sand.

3.Get digging
Now you can dig out the individual zones of the garden pond.

4.Check the size
Use the preformed pond to check you’ve dug enough out and touch up again if necessary.

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5. Add a little filling sand
Level out the unevenness in the excavated steps with filling sand to create flat surfaces.

6. Check the surface with a spirit level
If they’re level, the preformed pond can be inserted and 1/3 filled with water so that the bowl settles.

7. Add the rest of the filling sand
Pour it under the edge of the preformed pond and fill the cavity with water. The water will slurry the sand to the edge of the pond shell. Repeat the process until the spaces under and next to the bowl are filled.


What filter should I get for my garden pond?

Pond care is essential, but the right systems can make it more convenient. The basics that experts highly recommend are a filter and pump.

The smaller the body of water, the more pollution can affect the water quality. Even smaller options such as the Oase Filtral UVC keep the water in the preformed pond clean and clear.

The Filtral UVC is an underwater filter with UVC clarifier and has the option to also be a water feature: it keeps the pond clean and clear under the water’s surface and can enchant above the water surface with an optional fountain attachment. As a bonus, the Filtral UVC can be installed very easily without any prior knowledge.


How can I decorate my garden pond?

You can add all kinds of decorations, such as plants, stones, gravel, statues, ornaments, and pond figures, or water features like splitters, waterfalls, and fountains.

Additional accents can make your pond a highlight in any garden – all it takes is the right decoration.


US P&WG visuals

How do you light up a garden pond?

Specially made pond lights can give your outdoor space perfect illumination. The Oase LunAqua lighting range has been specially developed for use in and around the water. Even in the evening, your pond can be a real highlight thanks to a coordinated lighting concept.


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Want to learn more?

Would you like to start your personal DIY pond construction project? Our specialist dealers can assist you with the product selection. Find your local Oase dealer here.