Pond construction, from dreams to reality!

[myswtsins]

In a few years who knows where this pond will be or any others for that matter! You really want those steps put in don't ya? Well we change our minds so often that by Spring we will probably want stairs too so don't fret.

The pond should have full sun by noon anything earlier than that is blocked by the house, the garden is not blocked by the house. Problem is that full sun will last ALL day till it hits the tree line at the back of the yard. We will probably install some sort of attached arbor at the roof level covering the entire pond area one day anyways.

With the rain last night we awoke to water in the pond, now it is officially a pond! I will not have much updating for awhile because we are getting ready to close it up and right now we are just rerouting some plumbing & electric etc. I do need to get my dad to finish working in the basement so I can get a QT tub going down there and buy a few half price koi!!

Thank you SO much everyone for your support and advice, especially Muske & Jennie, you guys have been great!

 

[myswtsins]

BIG question to start with tonight. Do you turn off your pumps for winter? Let the debate begin! So many different views on this one.

I am looking into extra external filtration, any suggestions? I want something that I can easily hide behind the future decorative fencing, CHEAP or DIY and easy maintenance. I will may have that filter empty into an modified in pond bog.

Little explanation of the drawings. 2" flexible PVC from skimmer box will split, one for filter & one for waterfall.

The pipe from the filter would run above ground down into the bog to the spray bar & water would flow out through lose laid boulders. Think it'll work? I have other ideas too.

 

[Dangerdoll]

wow, things are looking great!! So sad that you can't fill it with the good stuff until after the winter!! Your drawings are superb

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks DD! Your right, Spring is to far away!

So I am thinking of doing a 55g barrel filter, maybe even 2, with just simple pads and some sort of bio media. I see no need to get into all the high tech stuff like fluidized beds, static k1s and I don't even know whats, right?

 

[Dangerdoll]

I think the barrels are a good idea, in the fall (next fall), it will be easier for breaking the system down and bringing the barrels in for the season. I think breaking it down by say now or whenever the weather stays at the 50 and under mark, it's good to season out (cut feeding and move the pumps and filtration indoors). The fish should do well over the winter months especially with what you have now. You've done a great job... I can't believe your opening is 6 months away!!

 

[Jennie Beth]

In both the old pond and my current one, I run my pump year-round, 24/7. It keeps the water open and circulating even when it is freezing outside. I have only an in-pond simple filter, and a more complex, above-ground one might have some freezing issues, though. The entire top of the old pond would freeze, but where the falls came in, just enough space would stay clear to allow water to move and gases to escape from under the ice. Never had any fish or pump problems from running all winter. I am pretty sure Muske's pond runs all year, too. I think I have seen some pics of it all snowed over somewhere in the pond threads...

Glad to help,
Jen

 

[Muske]

I run my pump year round. I think it all depends on the amount of splashing the falls create and your 20.

Extra Filtration - A vortex or a bunch of mech. media in a 55 gal. barrel (or similar) will be cheapest and easiest DIY, and the best. It will take out a lot of detritus and keep the bog cleaner and a bio hog. I would run the plumbing closer to the pond and wye off for the bog by the A/C. Thats the good thing about the Flex PVC, it can save wasted pipe. Instead of having extra pipe running along the foundation (increasing head) the flex can go to the filter in shortest run, even going under the liner at the bog...

A canistar or pressurised filter is another option. These can come w/UV which is nice. Not many DIY versions that I know of or ones that can handle 2" flex pipe. I have never used them so I am certaining not recomending them... I like DIY and simple design that work good.

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks guys!!

Glad everyone likes the barrel idea because I found them for $15 just don't know exactly how far away they are yet, somewhere in south NJ.

I worry about leaving the skimmer/falls running because I heard several stories of emptying pond (or burnt out pumps) from the falls getting frozen over and diverting the water out. I guess I have some time to figure it out though.

My father refuses to run the plumbing under the bog, for logically reasons though, the standby of "what if". I am fine with losing some water pressure to make him happy, I guess.

We made the pond a little deeper especially in the deep end & added stairs, happy now Muske!? : We got the underlayment, liner & water in the pond! The liner has major wrinkle issues though because of the shape and depth. We worked it out the best we could (not on the shelf though, mom was a little cold) and I guess it will have to do. If in the Spring we find it too unbearable or unsafe (dead spots under wrinkle flaps) then we will redo it all.

For now I am done with the pond! Next is getting the basement done so I can get some fish in QT for the Spring!!! I will also work on the extra filters too.

Sorry about the bad pictures, even with no sun on the pond it was glare crazy!

 

[Dangerdoll]

Looking good, Mys!!

For the record, 2 years in a row, my sister had to get new pumps for her pond because she tried running them during the winter and they burned out. The second year, she decided to run the new one because it was supposed to be "top of the line". I would rather err on the side of caution but it's entirely up to you. She kept a floating heater in the pond to keep a hole in the top for gas exchange during the winter. There was even a couple times where even with the heater, she still had to break the ice. Jersey winters are not very nice to ponds but they sure are nice to have )

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks DD! I have a laguna air kit with the floaty I could always use. NJ winters are quite fickle too! Sometimes it is like winter never happened and others we get 3ft of snow.

If these barrels are in good shape I will probably pick up a couple extra, if anyone in the area wants to drive to me (07727) let me know. I know my neighbor uses these things for filters and to age water, or make your own rain barrels!