Pond construction, from dreams to reality!
- Thread starter myswtsins
- Start date
24" is just fine for your first pond. All the inhabitants will be fine during the winter with a few precautions taken. If you go 36" you should check local zoning laws. At that point, you might as well go 4'+ deep and make a huge formal Koi pond. Stay a 24" for ease of diggin and maint. down the road.
No gravel on the bottom and shelves makes for unsightly pots needed for the plants to grow. I would never do a water garden (fish+plants) w/o shelves and gravel and rocks covering the liner. They provide huge surface area for BB and protect the liner. A planned design will not have problems from Herons and Racoons. A few caves is all that is needed in late fall through winter and early spring. I use Schedule 40 PVC fittings that sink. With plenty of plants along the edges and in the water, no preds. And those plants will need 4+ hours of good sunlight to flurish. There
A koi only pond w/o plants is another story. A koi only pond needs no gravel on the bottom for proper BD functions. The lack of surface area for BB is made up in the different stages of filtration after the BD.
No gravel on the bottom and shelves makes for unsightly pots needed for the plants to grow. I would never do a water garden (fish+plants) w/o shelves and gravel and rocks covering the liner. They provide huge surface area for BB and protect the liner. A planned design will not have problems from Herons and Racoons. A few caves is all that is needed in late fall through winter and early spring. I use Schedule 40 PVC fittings that sink. With plenty of plants along the edges and in the water, no preds. And those plants will need 4+ hours of good sunlight to flurish. There
A koi only pond w/o plants is another story. A koi only pond needs no gravel on the bottom for proper BD functions. The lack of surface area for BB is made up in the different stages of filtration after the BD.
Well we have not even started digging yet and the pond has grown! 
We are looking at a kidney shaped pond 10.5' long, 6.2 ft at the widest part, 4.5 ft at the smallest part and at the joined part & 3 ft deep. About 1300 gallons and that is NOT including the rock edge just the inside volume. I'll try to get some sort of diagram up soon. I am figuring I will get a 20x25 liner to make sure I have plenty for the waterfall too.
I will keep this as a goldfish pond no matter what (I swear!) because I have a HUGE open space on the other side of the deck that is reserved for a Koi pond IF I can keep this one running well.
The bog pond is a great idea and something I was considering but I have run out of room now. This area has major restrictions on it....AC unit access and room to draw in air, under the deck access, 2 toilet drain lines that literally surround the area etc.
We are looking at a kidney shaped pond 10.5' long, 6.2 ft at the widest part, 4.5 ft at the smallest part and at the joined part & 3 ft deep. About 1300 gallons and that is NOT including the rock edge just the inside volume. I'll try to get some sort of diagram up soon. I am figuring I will get a 20x25 liner to make sure I have plenty for the waterfall too.I will keep this as a goldfish pond no matter what (I swear!) because I have a HUGE open space on the other side of the deck that is reserved for a Koi pond IF I can keep this one running well.
The bog pond is a great idea and something I was considering but I have run out of room now. This area has major restrictions on it....AC unit access and room to draw in air, under the deck access, 2 toilet drain lines that literally surround the area etc.
You could do the bog on the lawn side of the pond, just an idea. Keep low growing plants in it as to not impeed sight lines from the yard and it would make a nice backdrop from inside the house. A 100 gal. rubbermaid or similar tank filled w/hyacinth or lettuce along the house would make a nice filter and would not require any additional excavation.
Are you planning on a skimmer?
Filtration?
Pump size?
At 1300 gals., shoot for a 1500 gph min. pump. A 2500+ would be better and allow for a little more stocking options.
Are you planning on a skimmer?
Filtration?
Pump size?
At 1300 gals., shoot for a 1500 gph min. pump. A 2500+ would be better and allow for a little more stocking options.
Muske keeps getting me thinking, very dangerous! A rubbermaid by the house would be great, it would even cover up some of the ugly pipes there but it would get no sun being so close to the house.
Attached drawings show a VERY basic idea of what I am working with, the pond is not even the right shape but you get the idea! The major thing I am trying to figure out is how to make the mini deck so it is just overhanging the pond, have an access hatch and still be stable without caving in the pond. I see concrete in my future.
Skimmer - yes! Trying to figure out which brand/model right now.
Filtration - Still working this out but what I am thinking is skimmer box to waterfall box & my laguna 1400 to waterfall box. Waterfall box is probably going to be a DIY box. I was thinking of a DIY skimmer too but being that it goes through the liner I am not gonna mess with that.
Pump size - Well I can only go up to 900gph with the laguna so I'd like to get a 1000+gph pump for the skimmer box.
A rubbermaid by the house would be great, it would even cover up some of the ugly pipes there but it would get no sun being so close to the house.Attached drawings show a VERY basic idea of what I am working with, the pond is not even the right shape but you get the idea! The major thing I am trying to figure out is how to make the mini deck so it is just overhanging the pond, have an access hatch and still be stable without caving in the pond. I see concrete in my future.
Skimmer - yes! Trying to figure out which brand/model right now.
Filtration - Still working this out but what I am thinking is skimmer box to waterfall box & my laguna 1400 to waterfall box. Waterfall box is probably going to be a DIY box. I was thinking of a DIY skimmer too but being that it goes through the liner I am not gonna mess with that.
Pump size - Well I can only go up to 900gph with the laguna so I'd like to get a 1000+gph pump for the skimmer box.
The rubbermaid was a thought, but if no sunlight the Hyacinths will fade out.
Use the small pump on the Laguna, and get a bigger one in the skimmer. Skimmers allow for the pump to be hiden out of sight, and are designed to house all sizes of pumps. The size of the weir(opening) will determine the size pump used. A 6" weir is great for samller pumps up to 3000 gph, where the 8" weir can handle up to 8K gph or better. The skimmer placement is perfect directly across the falls. The skimmer is very important and would def. suggest a manufactured one as opposed to DIY. I am a little partial to www.aquascapeinc.com that site will direct you towards a retailer in your area. They will also have Bio-Falls which is the filter, but you can get some ideas for DIY if you prefer.
The deck can be made very stable w/proper footings/foundations and beefy lumber. I would not be concerned w/the deck sagging if you plan it out and take your time. That should be done after pond construction is complete, but plan it in. My father-in-law's skimmer is housed in a simalar type structure (mini dock) and works really well. A triangular deck would be cool and place the supports away from the pond...
Use the small pump on the Laguna, and get a bigger one in the skimmer. Skimmers allow for the pump to be hiden out of sight, and are designed to house all sizes of pumps. The size of the weir(opening) will determine the size pump used. A 6" weir is great for samller pumps up to 3000 gph, where the 8" weir can handle up to 8K gph or better. The skimmer placement is perfect directly across the falls. The skimmer is very important and would def. suggest a manufactured one as opposed to DIY. I am a little partial to www.aquascapeinc.com that site will direct you towards a retailer in your area. They will also have Bio-Falls which is the filter, but you can get some ideas for DIY if you prefer.
The deck can be made very stable w/proper footings/foundations and beefy lumber. I would not be concerned w/the deck sagging if you plan it out and take your time. That should be done after pond construction is complete, but plan it in. My father-in-law's skimmer is housed in a simalar type structure (mini dock) and works really well. A triangular deck would be cool and place the supports away from the pond...
(Sorry for the long post but I try to provide as much info as possible in case someone ever uses this for their research)
Alright, I went to a local garden center yesterday (Brock Farms in Colts Neck) and I seriously thought about some things. 1st off they are having great sales so I am buying a waterfall box instead of making one but that is the easy decision.
Goldfish or Koi - This was the hardest decision, I know I said no koi but the lady I spoke with had great points about breeding, resale (giving away in the case of the goldfish) & socialism. In the end because of the location's full sun & smallish size I am sticking with a water garden.
To gravel the bottom or not - She made some points about gravel in the bottom of the pond like bacteria space, buffers water & plants do better planted but I know me and the chances that I will fully empty the pond once to twice a year for a full cleaning of the gravel is not going to happen. I am better off with normal cleanings, oversized filters and potted plants.
I also decided to cut out the laguna 1400. I don't want to see the pump or hose & it pales in comparison to my waterfall & skimmer selection. I would also rather not use a UV all the time anyways. She also said it will need to be shutdown for winter??
So here is my shopping list so far (including tax/shipping & rounded)...
20 x 25 Firestone 45 mil Liner ($0.52 sqft with tax) - $262
Proline 5000 Skimmer - $172
Proline 5000 Bios-Falls - $149 (leaning towards)
-OR-
Atlantic Big Bahama 2600 - $193
Proline hy-drive 4000 $180 (petstore.com)
Total - $763-$807
If anyone knows of a better price tell me! My current job pays REALLY poorly but it is better then the $0 income I had before.
I am leaning towards the Proline Bio-Falls because it seems sturdier & has a 18" outlet while the Big Bahama has a whooping 26" outlet which I think is a bit big for the 5' of pond it will be next to. Plus the BB is 3' long vs. the Proline which is 18" so it takes up a LOT less room.
No work has been done the past couple days because it has been raining & will probably continue for a few days longer! But here are a couple pics before the rain. Keep in mind that edge is the INSIDE edge, rocks will go around that.
Next step - Start getting the red rocks level so we have our point of level.
Alright, I went to a local garden center yesterday (Brock Farms in Colts Neck) and I seriously thought about some things. 1st off they are having great sales so I am buying a waterfall box instead of making one but that is the easy decision.
Goldfish or Koi - This was the hardest decision, I know I said no koi but the lady I spoke with had great points about breeding, resale (giving away in the case of the goldfish) & socialism. In the end because of the location's full sun & smallish size I am sticking with a water garden.
To gravel the bottom or not - She made some points about gravel in the bottom of the pond like bacteria space, buffers water & plants do better planted but I know me and the chances that I will fully empty the pond once to twice a year for a full cleaning of the gravel is not going to happen. I am better off with normal cleanings, oversized filters and potted plants.
I also decided to cut out the laguna 1400. I don't want to see the pump or hose & it pales in comparison to my waterfall & skimmer selection. I would also rather not use a UV all the time anyways. She also said it will need to be shutdown for winter??
So here is my shopping list so far (including tax/shipping & rounded)...
20 x 25 Firestone 45 mil Liner ($0.52 sqft with tax) - $262
Proline 5000 Skimmer - $172
Proline 5000 Bios-Falls - $149 (leaning towards)
-OR-
Atlantic Big Bahama 2600 - $193
Proline hy-drive 4000 $180 (petstore.com)
Total - $763-$807
If anyone knows of a better price tell me! My current job pays REALLY poorly but it is better then the $0 income I had before.
I am leaning towards the Proline Bio-Falls because it seems sturdier & has a 18" outlet while the Big Bahama has a whooping 26" outlet which I think is a bit big for the 5' of pond it will be next to. Plus the BB is 3' long vs. the Proline which is 18" so it takes up a LOT less room.
No work has been done the past couple days because it has been raining & will probably continue for a few days longer! But here are a couple pics before the rain. Keep in mind that edge is the INSIDE edge, rocks will go around that.
Next step - Start getting the red rocks level so we have our point of level.
