Constructing a fish pond takes several considerations need to be kept in mind. The fish farmer will be able to better plan the building of the pond in advance. Being able to avoid issues in the future if he or she takes the time to enumerate these items together. It will be beneficial for him to have more precise financial estimations and a strategy for his fish breeding business as a result of this. The following are the most important points:
Ponds used for various purposes, including as breeding, spawning, hatching, nursery, raising, and stocking. Each pond should have the appropriate dimensions and form for their function. Common people typically only have access to a single pond, which they use for all stages of fish rearing, from the fry stage to the adult stage. Under these circumstances, they ought to have a pond that is at least 70 feet in length, 35 feet in breadth, and has water that is four to five feet in depth.
It is important to keep the length of the pond in proportion to its breadth at a ratio that falls between 2:1 and 4:1. The width should be less than half the length. This is done to make it easier to catch the fish as well as to offer the fish with extensive lengths of area for swimming. In any other case, the following is a list of the optimal sizes of the ponds for a variety of commercial applications. The size of a variety of ponds is described in relation to that of a stocking pond that is one hectare in size.
The pond must to have enough water levels for the entirety of the raising and developing season. In other words, there should be no possibility of leakage. This can be accomplished by pressing down on the soil, saturating the soil with water. Additionally adding extra clay and other binding material to the soil at the bottom and around the edges of the pond. Although compacting is a laborious procedure that only has to be done once, the top layer of soil (which can range in depth from 6 to 9 inches) should be compacted to the point where there is almost no seepage lost.
There need to be an adequate drainage system in place. We need to create an appropriate exit from the pond so that we may drain it completely or partially at any moment without the fish being able to swim away. This outlet should not enable the fish to leave the pond.
It is necessary to have proper bunds all the way around each pond. These bunds should have a height of around 2–2.5 feet and a width that is convenient. These bunds not only act as barriers, but also as passageways that may be used to go between and around the ponds. It is important to consider the parameters of the bunds. Including their length, breadth at the bottom and top, height, and thickness. They are consistent and even across the whole length of the bunds. In a similar manner, the compactness of the bunds ought to be consistent throughout.
The water is able to enter the pond through the inlet. It is important that this be built in such a manner that it prevents soil, leaves, and other plant debris from falling into the pond. The quantity of water that enters the pond should also be under the inlet’s control, regardless of whether it is a flood, rainy, or dry season. Briefly, the inlet is responsible for determining both the quality and amount of the water that enters the pond.
It is possible that the outflow and drainage will be two independent things. In addition to a drain, a second exit that is fixed in place is installed in a flowing water pond. The outlet has been fastened in such a way, it should not be possible for the fish in the pond to swim away. The water level in the pond is kept at a consistent level. The amount of water that flows out may be adjusted.
It is important that the pond’s sides be designed to be very stable and not able to collapse. This can be accomplished in a number of methods. Such as by creating an appropriate slope, tamping down the earth. Constructing or lining the sides with bricks or stones, or concreting, etc. A pond that has been destroyed is analogous to a damaged vessel that is unable to contain any water in it.
It is essential that the water be kept at a condition that is conducive to the growth of fish. This is particular in terms of the quantity of dissolved oxygen it contains. Fish that live in fresh water, the water should not be acidic or alkaline, but rather neutral. Fish that live in brackish water, you need to make sure the water stays brackish. The nature of the soil and the rocks that the water must pass through to reach its source can sometimes cause the water at the source itself to have an acidic or alkaline ph. In addition to this, the water should be clear and clean so that sunlight may penetrate to the bottom.
Natural feed that is made up of aquatic flora and fauna is absolutely necessary for the development of healthy fish. Extra attention needs to be paid to the production of natural fish food as possible in all fish ponds.
During the wet season, there should be appropriate measures taken to prevent the pond from becoming contaminated with silt. Before the water reaches the inlet, there have to be silt-catching traps that have been appropriately designed.
