Decorative Pond Design and Construction

The usual order: the location and size are set, the ground is excavated and prepared, and the pond is formed either in reinforced concrete or with a pond liner (EPDM/PVC). Then the pump, filter and any fountain plumbing are installed, edging stones and plants are placed, and the pond is filled and tested.

The 1 July 2026 amendment to Türkiye’s Planned Areas Zoning Regulation defined a decorative pool: a pool used for visual and aesthetic purposes, not for swimming, and approved by the relevant authority. Decorative pools built as landscape elements in the garden and not integrated with the main load-bearing structure can be excluded from the floor area ratio for the part not exceeding 20% of the garden area. Being excluded from the ratio does not mean no permission is needed; ask your municipality’s zoning office which rule applies to your plot.

The pump circulates water through the filter and fountain; still water grows algae and starts to smell. A common recommendation is that the pump turns over the full pond volume at least once an hour; for fish ponds, one to two turnovers per hour.

A continuously running pump and filter, regular removal of leaves and sediment, plants or shade covering part of the surface, and a UV clarifier if needed all reduce algae. If there are fish, not overfeeding them matters for water quality.

In hot weather, evaporation can lower the water by a few centimetres a week; that is not a leak. First check the fountain, waterfall and pipe connections. Then switch off the pump, fill the pond and watch where the water level stops dropping; the leak is usually at that level.

Yes, if the pond is deep enough. At least 45 cm is generally recommended for goldfish and at least 90 cm for koi; colder climates need deeper ponds. In a fish pond, the filter and pump should run continuously.