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10
CREATE THE POND BASIN
Now that you have completed all of your planning and determined your
water garden shape and size, you are ready to create your pond basin.
Dig the shelf depth
Sunterra recommends first creating a shelf approximately 6"–8" below
the projected water level (fig. 01).This will provide a surface for placing
aquatic plants while also helping to secure your liner's position. Begin by
digging down to the 6"–8" shelf level depth and leveling the surface with
your flat shovel.Then check levelness using your level and a 2" x 4"
board (fig. 02).You should also check the levelness of your water garden
perimeter. If you adjust the perimeter, be sure to adjust your shelf
depth accordingly.
Tips:
01. Dig all of your walls at approximately a 30-degree angle.This preserves liner
placement and reduces erosion of your basin walls.
02. Sunterra recommends digging a small ledge along the perimeter of your
water garden that is wide and deep enough for the type of edging you plan
to use.The liner will cover this ledge, allowing you to put rocks, etc. on it
to hold it in place. Remember, you will want your shelf to be 6"–8" below
the bottom of your edge so you may need to adjust your shelf depth after
creating your perimeter ledge.
03. If you plan to use underlayment, adjust your overall shelf and bottom depth
to accommodate for its thickness. For example, 1" of underlayment would
require your bottom depth to be dug at 19" instead of 18. "
Mark the shelf width
Measure approximately 12"–16" from the perimeter wall to the inside
of the water garden. Using spray paint or chalk, mark this distance
throughout the inside of your water garden.This mark represents the
edge of your plant shelf and will guide your final digging step.
Dig the pond basin bottom
Following the shelf width mark, dig the remaining depth of your pond
basin (18" plus underlayment thickness deep from outside perimeter
edge to the bottom). Remember to dig your wall at a 30-degree angle.
Measure your bottom depth in multiple locations to make sure it is the
recommended depth.