The box kit does not tell what type of liner is in it. Most are the cheap PVC type. You need EPDM 40 mil liner. a 10x10 will cost about $43 plus shipping. Lets say $25 to ship. An 80GPH pump would be about $30.

So you can have a 18 inch deep pond or more shallow if you like. The size would be a a roughly 6'x6' pond for about a hundred dollars. Go wild and get rocks, and pricey plants for $100 to $150. Now you have a $250 pond that will last for years and years. Use the extra $175 to buy some feeders, binoculars for bird viewing and a nice comfy chair.

AZ pond site will give you a few ideas.

Regards,
Lisa

Thank you Lisa, that is exactly what I needed to know. I like the cascades but looking into it, I can get that easily enough. Guess I better buy a beginners guide to setting up ponds.

I did purchase a kit from the same company years ago, just a liner with a dripper/mister, and it has lasted me over a decade. Recently I finally went to replace it for a larger liner and what I found in home depot type stores was cheesy. It was an instant lesson in not all liners are created equal.

There is a pond/pool store near me, think I'll go see at least what forms are out there.

Be carefull with the pond store. If they want to sell you a kit really really check it out. Based on my experience it is NOT the way to go. Lisa has it right.

I would dig a hole and put in a good liner and a pump/fountain/filter feature. The birds should enjoy that. It doesn't have to be deep and should be shallow at one end to let the birds drink at the shallow end, but be aware you will probably attract other critters that might prey on the birds. That's just life. A good liner is a good investment. 45 mil EPDM is a workhorse.

The pond in the picture looks like a poor design for birds. The piled rock on the sides are to high. I have a link below to my "Kinder Pond" which ended up being great for birds. I had huge flocks of Robins in the winter rotate through this pond for bathing, 25 at a time and it would take more than an hour for the entire flock, maybe 500, to get through. Strange, but they never made a mess.

The small vertical waterfall was visted by hummingbirds, they would bath on the wing and perch on the edge.

Although it was only 3" deep I would have made some of it even shallower. Some really small birds couldn't use it very well. You do want a deep part, 12-18" for the pump and something like a skimmer to protect the pump.

Consider planting some shrubs next to the pond as a place for the birds to stage. I trimmed them to be open so I could see them better. I once saw a falcon dive into to birds for a meal but the shrubs acted as fence and it didn't get a meal. Also keep the area clear of ambush spots from cats, many will try. Also the birds don't like to go into a hole. They'd like to be able to see as far as possible as they bath. All this isn't so much to protect the birds as it is to help them feel safe.

Concrete over liner works best. Good footing. Bare liner is really too slippery. EDPM is tops. But it this case, shallow pond, protective by concrete, I'd wouldn't turn my nose up to PVC. I'm not sure if the pond you linked to has preformed falls, but I would stay away from anything performed. They're actually must harder to install although they look easier. Plus they don't last very long and are ugly.

Mosquito fish are very helpful and fun.

I wouldn't put any feeders close by as some birds can get pretty territorial.

Cool thing is the birds, dragon flies, cats all show up as you're filling the pond/

Here is a link that might be useful: Kinder pond

I have a textured liner and have used it for 10-15 years as an in ground bird bath - best thing I ever did for attracting birds. I haven't been able to find another textured liner so don't know what is up with that, but the birds are all over the one I have. Habitat I have tons of. Now I want water movement, a waterfall cascade sort of thing so I can stop messing with drippers, misters or solar fountains. What I liked about the pond by BirdsChoice is firstly, I own a lot of BC products and they rock. Second, the cascade pools are shallow. Now I am doing research on how to create something similar as I would like a "creek" more than a pond. It will be my winter study project. The advice is appreciated!!

I have read a zillion posts here and looked at a zillion photos - you all are creating some amazing, beautiful water gardens. I'm very impressed.