i set up my first ever fishpondl last year 2010.it wasn't easy digging by hand a large hole in the ground,but i persivered,installed a liner,bought a pump with uv lamp,bought plants i then left a week or two to settle and then started buying fish,i wanted easy maintainence and trouble free fish,so i stuck to regular goldfish,there are many varieties so its not so boring as you may at first think.All the above I did via Wayside water gardens,they were very helpful and informative,they have a very large well stocked lake of their own with huge koi fish and every possible choice of fishfor you to consider,all the usual consumable items for ongoing fish care
You should bear in mind that set up costs are not cheap and if you are going to start allow at least £500 for the whole thing to get going..and if you're going to invest in a pond and fish you need to be aware of all the ongoing costs,electricity to run your pump and food for the fish.
Having said all that once set up and fish stocks are complete its not expensive to maintain,Wayside watergardens have everthing you could possibily need or want and will willingly help you to decide on any aspect of pond requisits..I would recommend them wholehartedly..they are experts and will help you to avoid pitfalls,water treatments,depth of the pond,size of the pond,chemicals to use and not to use,siting the pond,fish dont like constant sunshine and they dont like constant shade either,are their any blossom trees dropping copious amounts of flowers in the water,all this and more all helped by Wayside..Full marks to wayside read more