Garden ponds often attract animals such as birds and stray cats which may eat your pond fish or damage the lining. A net, placed just above water level, will prevent neighborhood animals from entering the pond. Used alone, the net will sink and bunch, so you must create a frame to hold it in place. PVC pipe frame is lightweight and it will float on the water's surface. Paint the PVC pipe black or green to make it blend in with the surroundings or leave it white.
Things You'll Need:
- Pvc Pipe Primer
- Indelible Marker
- Pvc Cement
- Water
- Lint-Free Cloth
- Pvc Pipe Joints
- Protective Eyewear
- 1/2 Inch Pvc Pipe
- Small Paintbrush
- Pencil
- Tape Measure
- Hacksaw
- Paper
Measure the pond's length and width with a tape measure and record these measurements on a piece of paper.
Sketch a scaled drawing of the pond on a piece of paper and find a net frame shape that accommodates the pond shape. For instance, an octagon may work best for a round pond, whereas a rectangle may work well for a pond that's shaped like a rounded rectangle. The frame will need to fit inside the pond. The frame shape will determine the length of the pipes and the number of joints required for the project. A rectangular frame will require four 45 degree angle joints.
Measure and mark out where you'll make the cuts on the PVC pipes. Use an indelible marker to mark out the locations for the cuts. If you have a rounded rectangular pond that's 5 feet wide and 10 feet long, you'll need two pipes with a length of 4 feet, 9 inches and two pipes with a length of 9 feet, 9 inches.
Don protective eyewear.
Cut the pipes with a hacksaw. Use the marker marks as a guide.
Set out the pipes on a table or on a clean floor. Arrange the pipes in the shape of the pond net frame. Place the PVC pipe joints between each pipe.
Don a protective face mask.
Apply PVC primer inside the ends of each joint and apply primer to the exterior of the pipe ends. Use a paintbrush to apply the primer.
Set the pipes out on a table or on a clean area of floor. Arrange the pipes in the shape of the pond net frame. Place the joints at the location where the pipes will meet.
Paint PVC cement inside the opening of a PVC joint piece and coat the exterior of a pipe end. Insert the pipe end into the joint piece and twist the pieces back and forth to distribute the cement. Push the pipe as far as it will go into the joint piece. Repeat this process with all of the pipes and joints until the frame is assembled.
Dampen a lint-free cloth and wipe away any excess PVC cement at each joint.
Leave the PVC frame undisturbed while the PVC cement dries and hardens. Consult the product packaging for the recommended drying time.
Tip
The PVC pipe joints must be designed for the diameter of pipe that you're using for the project. Therefore, if you're using 1/2 diameter PVC pipe, you must purchase joints designed for 1/2 diameter PVC pipe. Use wire, twine or zip ties to attach the net to the PVC pipe frame. In the fall, remove the net from the frame and attach a tarp to the PVC pipe frame to make a cover that will protect the pond from autumn leaves.
Warnings:
- Use PVC primer and PVC cement in a well-ventilated location.
