Enlarging a pond
Stagbeetle
Posts: 174
Hello, I'm new to the forum but have been looking through all the different threads and loved the pond threads.
I would like to enlarge our pond. The pond is an upturned roof box and has done well for 3yrs and attracts frogs, hover flies, dragon flies and we love it but want to make a much bigger pond. When is the best time to do enlarge the pond? When should we move the contents over and how?
thank you for your advice 
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Posts
I'd say do it now. Nothing is breeding and the plants will be pretty much heading to dormancy. However, I don't claim to be an expert on ponds. Mine ( it was here when we bought the house ) pretty much looks after itself.
If you're making it in a separate area you can do it anytime Stagbeetle, then just put the contents of your box into it using a bucket or similar to transfer everything. Rainwater is best for topping it up so if you can get the pond done now you'll get lots of rain over winter for filling it. Alternatively you can fill it up with the hose and then transfer your wildlife in when you're ready.
Thank you both for your replies
I will have to dig the roof box up so will need to empty it, so plan to do the pond possibly in stages-I think (maybe).
check the debris carefully for dragonfly larvae etc. They stay in the pond over winter
Nutcutlet- how do I do that, should I leave some water and plants in the bottom on the roof box until spring/summer?
Think nut's gone out Sbeetle
I think you could do it either way. If you can get everything into the new pond it will all settle down quite quickly so if you're able to get the new pond ready just get all the contents in right away. I think nut just meant don't leave anything in the bottom of the box as it's the part of the pond that supports so much wildlife.
Hi Stagbeetle, I'd leave as much in the bottom of the roofbox as you and your helpers can lift (which may not be much as water is heavy!) and keep it aside until your new pond is in place, then tip it (or shovel it if a muddy layer) into the bottom of the new pond before filling. This will give the new pond a massive head start as far as wildlife is concerned. It will make the water very cloudy for a while of course but it will soon settle.
I did go out. I've crippled my back again it all took ages
Yes, the bottom of a pond is full of interesting things. Perhaps you could bale (bail?) it out into some other containers for the duration of the job.
Great idea, making a bigger pond
If you want to keep the existing pond's water to transfer its present inhabitants and minerals into the new pond, those big flexi buckets hold masses.
Depending on how big the existing pond is a few of those might take it all.
Also saves having to dispose of too much water in other parts of the garden.
Fab thank you all for your advice
Now a question I forgot to ask was the type of pond. I would prefer to dig and lay liner for the pond but Dh would prefer to buy a preformed pond but these can be expensive for the size I would like.