While ponds can be a great attraction in your backyard, there are also few drawbacks to having a garden pond.
Besides the time and effort needed to maintain a beautiful pond, you may also have to worry about the safety of your toddlers, your pets, and the overall cleanliness of your backyard.
There are various reasons why you may feel the need to abolish your garden pond. It’s completely doable so you have nothing to worry about. The task will certainly require a lot of work and patience as you have to take out all the water, fish, decorations, etc.
Now that you know it’s workable, how about you learn the details of how to get rid of a garden pond?
Ways to remove a garden pond
We all know ponds can be pretty to look at. But sometimes, we simply want a change or don’t possibly have the time and patience to maintain a full-blown pond. So here’s how you can get rid of a garden pond by following these steps.
There are so many things you have to get rid of; starting with the electrical equipment then the fish and decors, to pumping and draining all the water, and lastly using the space as the way you prefer.
Once you know how to carry out all the steps, the process is remarkably easy. But since it will require some heavy labor, you may need some help from your friends or family.
1. Disconnect all the electrical equipment
The first thing you can do is start by disconnecting and removing all the electrical equipment such as pumps, fountains, lights, filters, etc.
All of these types of equipment can be dangerous for you and your fish as there is a risk of getting an electrical shock. So when you disconnect all the cords, evacuate and put them in a safer place. Carefully disconnect and clean each piece of equipment so that you can sell or use them afterward.
2. Move out the fish
Once all the electrical appliances are moved carefully, now it’s time to move out all the fish.
While transferring the fish from one place to another, ensure you’re using the pond water to not cause any harm to the fish. A sudden change in temperature and pH may shock the fish so handle the procedure with care.
So before transferring, fill the container where you’re gonna keep the fish with water from your pond. Be gentle with the fish as you don’t want to shock or cause any harm to them. Lastly, be sure to check that the holding container has plenty of oxygen for your fish to be comfortable.
Now here are the methods you can use to move the fish-
By using a fishnet
Using a long net will help you remove the fish from the pond without causing any harm. While you take out the fish, be careful with the long net and make sure the holes are not too big as your fish may slip out.
By using the seine
You can also use seine if you want to move large numbers of fish all at once. Before using a seine it is preferable to empty a few buckets of water from your pond to make the process easier and quicker.
After removing the fish carefully, look for new places to give your fish away. It is not healthy for fish to stay in a container for a long time so avoid making this mistake.
You could ask your friends or neighbors if they want any fish or you could advertise these on any local websites if you need the cash. Either way, handle them with care in the time being and transport them safely to their new destination.
3. Remove the plants and rocks
You can remove aquatic plants by pulling them by the roots manually or you can use tools such as shovels and rakes. However, these two processes will require lots of manual labor.
There’s another way to clear out the area easier and faster; you can add vinegar to your pond and it will kill all the plants in no time. This process also seems to be the appropriate one as it is energy and time-efficient.
Next, remove the large rocks from around and inside your pond and put them in a separate place.
4. Dismiss the waterfall
Now it’s time for hard labor. Using a hammer and chisel get rid of the waterfall once and for all. This will take time and energy as it will require plenty of breaking and shattering to finally clean out the area.
5. Pump out the water
There are several ways you can use to drain out your pond water. Before using any of these methods, remember to find a place where you want to drain the water.
The most preferable option to go for is by using a submersible pond pump. Start by positioning the take-out hose into your pond and place it in the deepest part of your pond to remove the maximum amount of water.
Another way to drain water from your pond is to use a garden hose to siphon out the water. You can go for this hand pump method if you have a small pond.
Place one end of the garden hose at the lower point than the deepest part of the pond and the other end positioned at the deepest part of your pond. In this way, you can remove the water by sucking on the end of the hose.
You can also use the long and hard process of bucketing out water from your pond which requires lots of hard work to get the work done.
6. Make holes to drain the rest of the water
After pumping the bulk amount of water, some water will still be left in your pond. So here’s how you can also drain the rest of the water from your pond.
If you have a plastic pond liner, you can cut holes, make sure they are big enough so the rest of the water can easily drain out. If you have a concrete pond, you have to drill and make holes for the water to go out.
Nevertheless, if there is still water left, the rest of the area will be dried out by the sun.
7. Dig out the dirt
The next thing you need to do is dig out the dirt from all around the pond edge by using an ax, jackhammer, etc. one foot or so depending on how deep the pond is attached to the earth.
8. Pull out the liner
After a layer of dirt is removed from around the pond edge, you can try to pull out the plastic liner. If you’re facing any difficulty in pulling out the liner, try to remove more dirt. Afterward, you’re good to go.
9. Fill it up
Once everything is removed and taken out, there is going to be a big hole left in your garden. There are many options you can go for such as turf, patio, etc. to use the extra land thus, it’s your choice to do whatever you want.
However, if you’re blank and don’t know what to do, fill it up with sand and dirt for the time being and later do something grand with it. You could also use rocks and then put clay over those rocks so that they blend in well.
How much does pond removal cost?
Want to get rid of your garden pond? Worried about the cost? Not to worry, here is a guideline to help you get knowledge about the average pond disposal cost.
Few things to keep in mind; the total cost will certainly depend on the size of the pond, you will also have to find a new home for the fish and other aquatic life. Draining the water will also require a few pieces of equipment which you may need to rent. Finally, the task is to fill the space and decide what to do with it.
You can get rid of the pond on your own or you can get the help of a contractor. If there is a contractor involved then the cost will be higher. However, if you plan on doing it by yourself, I can help you get familiar with a few of the common tools.
- If you want to hire a contractor or a pond specialist, they will charge from $100 to $170 each day.
- To rent a jackhammer you will have to pay $60 to $120 daily depending on the quality of it.
- Large dump trucks will cost from $450 to $800 a day and the price range will vary depending on the yard capacity and the size of your pond.
- Fill dirt will cost $5 to $30 per yard so again the price range will vary depending on the size.
- Topsoil prices range from $15 to $60 per yard depending on how much you need it.
- To remove any fixed water feature in your pond, you will surely need an expert to do the work. For a day they can charge around $150.
Use the free space in your backyard
Now that you know the ways and the cost of getting rid of a garden pond, you can always look for other options to change the look of your backyard.
There are few options to check out:
- Use the free space to turn it into a beautiful garden. Make the best use of the additional space and plant different types of flowers, climbers, fruits, decorative plants, and many more.
- Turn this area and make it a small playground for your kids where they can relax and spend their leisure period in the best way. Add a swing, a small sandbox, a seesaw, or any other activities your child prefers.
- You can also lay turf and enjoy your evening in the backyard, sipping coffee and spending time with your family. Add furniture, probably a small garden table set to spend some time in the open fresh air.
Time to bring a change!
We all know maintaining a pond is an ongoing process and requires a bulk amount of time, effort, and patience. Besides, some of us outgrow the idea of having a garden pond, which is pretty normal. So it’s good to try something else for a change.
Seeing as you have some ideas on how to get rid of a garden pond, perhaps you can start working and manage to do something different with the new space.
So, let’s get started!
