ITS OFFICIAL ! BACKYARD POND!

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beabroca

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Feb 25, 2009
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soo, me and my hubby , after years and years of wanting this have finally come to a point were we are ready for a outdoor pond...

we know basically what we want....but dont know any details of how to run it.

This is what we want.


fountain into waterfall down to large pond area...at least 20-30' deep [we want to keep koi] now there is also going to be a fountain in the large pond area too. with lots of live plants.

large gardening area around, since i also am a sucker for flowers and landscaping.

so now, i KNOW we cant keep a pond without some sort of filtration right. so what kinds of things do i need to get 'behind' the scenes work?


im thinking a 160 gallon i think i seen.

we are looking to spend around 1700 total....give or take
 
Is that 20-30 FEET deep!?!? Or 20-30 inches?
Ponds are one of those things that are expensive, yes, but it's the little things that seem to sneak up behind you and nickel-and-dime you to death. I did a stock tank pond this spring and spent almost what you are looking at...and it's not even a 'REAL' pond.

Starter list...I'm sure others will add to it...

liner- rigid or flexible
underlayment if using flexible liner (old carpet padding from someone's remodel, or sometimes you can get some removed stuff from a carpet install place, works great, could be free!)
pump- I try for one that will turn my total water volume 2-3 times an hour. You also have to figure how high the water has to go, from where the pump sits to the top of your feature (falls, fountain, etc) as the higher it goes, the lower the gph will be.
Filter- lots of diy info on making your own in the threads here. I know koi need pristine water...
Rocks (or not) for the bottom and sides- some do, some don't, works either way.
plants- one of those things that can nickel-and-dime you to death.
Electrical stuff- you need a GFCI outlet to run your pond, preferably out near the pond so you don't have to look at extension cords draped all over the yard. I would recommend a few extra outlets as you may want to run a second pump, or landscape lighting, or whatever some time down the road and it is easier to do it just once. Not hard to install, but gets expensive for all the little pieces.

Pick up 2 or 3 pond books at the library or bookstore. They all say pretty much the same thing, so more than that and you are drooling on yourself after a few minutes, but they have all kinds of pics on laying out, measuring for liner, installing plumbing, all that good stuff. If you have a mental pic of what you want it to look like, the books can give you the 'guts' that go into building it.

Good luck!
Jen
 
The depth threw me a curve also....

2-3 tiers? Fountain or waterfall? Or fountain into waterfalls into pond?

This is the system I use www.aquascapesinc.com I use the Standard Bio-Falls for my filter.

A bog filter is an awesome aux. filter. Can be made from a pre-formed pond w/minimal DIY skills.
 
1000 gallons PER fish? it is 20 to 30 inches.

3 tier. fountain into waterfall into pond.

and we are willing to spend whats needed.

thanks for the input...are there any kinda fish to put outside for winter in a 150-200 gallon pond? thats pretty big.
 
...are there any kinda fish to put outside for winter in a 150-200 gallon pond? thats pretty big.

Whats yer 20? Is above or below grade?

That size is OK in a semi-tropical area, but will be tough in cold climates since it ha the possibilty to freeze solid. If it is a pre-formed deal, you could just set it up in a basement or garage in the winter, and use it outside as summer camp for the fish.
 
You could definitely put goldfish out there or rosy red/white cloud mountain minnows. You'll have to get a heater or bring them inside if it gets too cold and is not deep enough.
 
it will be semi inground, and i don't mind bringing the fish in during winter.
our winters here are unpredictable.
 
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