Wife insists on a fairly large (125 g) aquarium. That's fine, but I'm a perfectionist, and perfectionism at even that scale is a bit difficult and expensive. Now I want to build a perfect pond.
I'm thinking a 500-600 gallon liner pond, no place for herons to land, automated water changes, one shubunkin per 50 gallons, some fast growing plant during the summer months.
Don't want to do ground level because I have small dogs and because I fertilize my yard. Plan is to dig down 12" for insulation (Houston) and build in two courses of cinder block sides. This will end up 16" tall (4" above ground level).
Any advice on mortaring together cinder block greatly appreciated. How can I get an absolutely level base on the bottom of my pond in order to lay the cinder blocks squarely?
Over that, I'll build another 16" or so of wooden walls. I'm thinking something heavy like landscape timbers with a more attractive layer built around.
Advice on anchoring this layer?
Then spikes. I don't want herons landing on the edge of my pond.
Anyone know what they will and won't land on?
Last will be a fairly substantial tower beside the pond. This will hide my float valve for refills (burying a small water line) and a bucket-type filter.
Aesthetic ideas welcome here.
-Shay
I'm thinking a 500-600 gallon liner pond, no place for herons to land, automated water changes, one shubunkin per 50 gallons, some fast growing plant during the summer months.
Don't want to do ground level because I have small dogs and because I fertilize my yard. Plan is to dig down 12" for insulation (Houston) and build in two courses of cinder block sides. This will end up 16" tall (4" above ground level).
Any advice on mortaring together cinder block greatly appreciated. How can I get an absolutely level base on the bottom of my pond in order to lay the cinder blocks squarely?
Over that, I'll build another 16" or so of wooden walls. I'm thinking something heavy like landscape timbers with a more attractive layer built around.
Advice on anchoring this layer?
Then spikes. I don't want herons landing on the edge of my pond.
Anyone know what they will and won't land on?
Last will be a fairly substantial tower beside the pond. This will hide my float valve for refills (burying a small water line) and a bucket-type filter.
Aesthetic ideas welcome here.
-Shay
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