pond of snakes

[aqua_demon]

Earlier today i went out in my yard and dug a whole by my fence i think it has pontenial for a pond but i want a natural one not one of those plastic ones so i would like to know how to keep the water from soaking into the ground and some tips on how to attract frogs snakes and other herps and any other tips you have so if you have anything please reply this ok.

Thank You

[RachelS.]

usually don't you need a plastic liner?? I mean... that's really the only way to keep it from soaking into the ground, right? I'm really not sure but that's my input lol.

[gonesnakee]

You don't have to use a preformed liner they are pricey, but there are other "sheet style" liners for ponds that could be used or some good thick poly as a liner would help it hold h2o. A couple of ideas anyway. Mark

[aqua_demon]

ok ill try keep the ideas coming i would also know how to get the herps to come to my pond.

[Xetox]

we built one, a huge one and we went with a pool liner and just cut it out where it laid in like we dug the hole.....then we put a bridge over it put rocks in it and filled it up with water....put gold fish in it and a year later it looked natural.

Hope that helped....o and it will grow its own algie if you let it!~

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

..Well, it all depends on the type of top/bttom soils you got and how deep the top soil is if its a soft sandish type.
Generally out on the ranch my soil is a dark clayish soil. Holds water good and the top soil is only about 6" deep. However, in my back yard the soil is a sandy colored soft soil that goes down 4' or so before I hit the clay bottom. So I dig to as deep as I want in my back yard and if my desired depth is above the clay bottom I just throw down a blue colored tarp and throw about 3" of dirt back on top of the tarp. The grass and the water plant roots grow through the tarp and the tarpstill holds in the water so you still have clean, colored pond.
To attract animals have it well vegitated and lots of hiding areas.
Generally if you want a wide deveristy of animals and not the occasional cricket frog then I personlly find it best it being larger than 10' long and wide; But you may have a better wild life around your area so, what works for you.. Also, I found that its a good way to keep amphibians near your pond is having them raised there from before metamorphism.. Now everytime it rains I hear spadefoots and leos calling. Sadly, many get ran over being my home is near a few busy roads and the fences I have up wont keep in small creatures. ( I introduced these frogs when I was a mere youngin.) So be sure that you doing this it wont be regretted. And having multiple frogs calling at 3 am in your back yard could be disturbing. Here's a pic of the type of soil one of my ponds posses and a nile croc that likes laying on it.
Xain

[aqua_demon]

how did you get a nile crodile in your back yard and why?

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

..Check my handle name.
I live for crocodilians, and he's not the only one. I also put him where he stays which is at the ranch. The ponds aty my home only house a gator, caiman and turtles. Which is only two ponds and about ten stock tanks.

..Anyhow, did the information I throw you help with ideas on your pond?
Xain

[Lisa]

This pond is man made, basicly if you want the pond to not drain away you need a source of water. This pond is spring fed and used to be a swamp. The pond is stocked with trout, and also homes turtles, frogs, ducks, tadpoles, minnows. You'll see toads and garter snakes around the pond. Once in a while a beaver or otter will try to make it's home in the pond but they are discouraged from doing this.

[Emily-Fisher]

Well no matter which way, you will need SOME rubber or plastic. First you need to dig a big enough hole in the ground. Buy some rubber pond liner and just gently pat it around the sides of the hole. Make sure that there is a bit of liner on the edge and out of the pond because then you need to put big rocks on it to hold it down. Fill the pond up with water and then find a place to put your filter in. No matter what people say, YOU MUST HAVE A FILTER unless you are willing to spend 13 hours a day picking out leaves etc. So put your filter in the water and dig some wholes underground for the wires. You will need an extension cord but they must be at least two feet underground or else qhatever animal goes in the pond will get electricuted. Trust me...I made that mistake once!! Buy lots of water plants and stuff and plant them in and around the pond. (Oh yeah...make sure that the pond is in the shade or else the water will overheat and kill the animals...I made that mistake too once!) Let the water sit for a week. By then you can monitor any problems, the water can dechlorinate and the plants can grow firmly into the ground so that a swimming animal won't knock them down. Hope this helps!

[snakes_all_day]

i think alls you would need is some quik creet it is just concret that you mix with water put it in there and let it sttay for about 24 hours and then fill her up