Saeed Akram Khan

TYPES OF PONDS Lecturer

GC University, Lahore
WHAT IS A FISH POND?
A fish pond is a place where fish are kept and raised for personal consumption or
commercial purpose.
According to FAO, A fish Pond Should Have
1. Pond Walls or Dikes
2. Pipes or Channels
3. Water Controls
4. Tracks & Roadways
5. Harvesting Faciilities
TYPES OF PONDS
There are Three Basic Types of Ponds
1. Sunken Pond
2. Barrage Pond
3. Diversion Pond
TYPES: ACCORDING TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
1. Earthen
2. Walled or Concrete
3. Lined (lined Pond are earthen ponds lined with an impervious material such as
plastic or rubber sheet)
EARTHEN POND
An earthen pond is a near-natural habitat for fishes (catfish, tilapia, etc) like a river
or stream. Although it is constructed to suit the design of the fish farmer, it is mostly
constructed in sloppy or waterlogged areas to accommodate the fish and make them
a natural feel when they are being raised.
An earthen pond is an artificial dam, a reservoir constructed by digging a hole that
should be at least 1.5 meters deep.
The process of constructing an earthen pond should be carried out by professionals
who have been in the business of pond construction for a long time.
Earthen Pond
Factors To Consider Before Constructing An Earthen Pond
Before choosing to construct an earthen pond, there are 2 crucial factors you need to consider:
i. Location of the land: The first thing to consider before deciding to dig an earthen pond is the
location and choice of the land that will be used.
One major key factor in choosing land is that it must be in a place where there is natural
water.
ii. Soil Type: The second factor to consider before building an earthen pond is the type of soil
that will be used for construction. The best type of soil for the earthen pond is one that can
hold water very well.
This can be clay soil or sandy clay soil.
Other factors to consider before constructing an earthen pond are soil permeability and soil
texture.
Advantages Of Earthen Pond
It is the most near-natural type of pond good for raising fish.
Fish tend to eat natural food like worms compared to other types of ponds.
Fish grow faster in an earthen pond.
It has a low maintenance cost
It is easy to manage the water system in an earthen pond.
Disadvantages Of Earthen Pond
It is very risky to control if there is a flood
It requires more space to build an earthen pond
It is difficult to know when there is an outbreak of diseases and more difficult to control.
It is difficult to sort in an earthen pond which makes it easy for fish to eat each other (cannibalism)
WALLED OR CONCRETE PONDS
The second type of pond that can be used to raise fish is a concrete pond. This is very
common for fish farmers to raise their fish, especially catfish.
A Concrete pond is using blocks, sand, and cement to build a habitat for you to raise
your fish.
onstructing concrete ponds requires the help of experts compared to other types of
ponds. This is so because any mistake in the construction of the pond can lead to
leakages and it might cost more to repair than to construct another one.
One advantage of the concrete pond over the earthen pond is that it can be
constructed anywhere even in your house.
Factors to Consider Before Constructing A Concrete Pond
Location: This is not all a determinant of building a pond. You can build a concrete
pond anywhere even in your backyard.
Drainage System: This is the second factor that is critical to constructing your concrete
pond. A good drainage system where you will be disposing of the wastewater should
be part of the planning process when you want to build a pond.
Cost: Setting up a concrete pond is the most expensive among all other types of
ponds. You need to look at your pocket before choosing to construct a concrete pond.
Advantages Of Concrete Pond
It can be constructed on any land
A concrete pond is better to manage for younger fish like fingerlings and juvenile
It is easy to notice fish diseases and also control the diseases.
A concrete pond cannot be affected by flood unlike the earthen pond
The water system can easily be managed
It last longer than other types of ponds if managed well
Disadvantages of Concrete Pond
It is expensive to construct
For you to successfully run a catfish farm, it requires a large amount of water to run a concrete pond
If you don’t have where to dispose of the water, water waste can become a nuisance in the environment.
The maintenance cost is very expensive
ON THE BASIS OF USE
1. Spawning Ponds
2. Nursery Ponds
3. Brood ponds
4. Transition Ponds
5. Treatment Ponds
6. Storage Ponds
7. Fattening Ponds
8. Integrated Ponds
TARPAULIN POND
The next type of pond that can be used for raising fish is the tarpaulin pond. This
type of fish pond is the next most common after earthen, concrete, and plastic ponds.
Factors To Consider Before Setting Up A Tarpaulin Pond
Space – Although you don’t need so much space to put up a tarpaulin pond,
regardless, you need to make sure that wherever your pond will be, it is free from
obstacles that could tear the tarpaulin
Cost – If you want to fish on a large scale, it is advisable not to use a tarpaulin pond
because, in the long run, you will spend more on setting it up compared to if you use
a concrete pond or an earthen pond.
Quality – Another factor to consider before deciding to buy a tarpaulin is quality. If
you are going to be buying equipment that will cost you money, you need to be very
particular about the quality.
Advantages Of Tarpaulin Pond
It is cost-effective compared to a concrete pond
It is easy to set up
Tarpaulin ponds are easily moveable
Tarpaulin ponds do not require a lot of space.
Disadvantages Of Tarpaulin Pond
It can easily tear
Because of its flexibility, heavy wind, rain/flood can quickly destroy the pond
Tarpaulin ponds can be disassembled and stolen easily
PLASTIC OR RUBBER POND
This type of pond is common for beginners in fish farming. One of the benefits of the
plastic pond (just like the tarpaulin pond) is that it is easy to set up. One amazing
thing about the plastic pond is that you can turn the old overhead tank into ponds
that can be used to raise catfish.
Factors To Consider Before Buying A Plastic Pond
Space – You only require a small space to put your plastic
Quantity – When you are just starting fish farming and you want to use a plastic
pond (which is advisable), the number of ponds you will buy should be considered
depending on the number of fish you will be in there.
Cost – Sometimes if you don’t have enough money with you, it is not advisable to buy
a lot of plastic ponds for raising the fish.
Advantages Of Plastic Ponds
It is easily movable
They are good for hatchling and raising fingerlings/juvenile
They can be used to raise catfish indoor
They are cost-effective
Plastic ponds are easy to maintain
Plastic ponds do not have any economic effect on the environment
Disadvantages Of Plastic Ponds
If you are raising a large number of fish, you will spend more money to buy the number of plastic
that will contain the fish
If the plastics are put in an open space, too much sun can affect the durability of the plastic