Wanting to establish and build an outdoor pond...

[GuppyGirl1230]

:newbie:I have a small patio, about 8 ft deep and 20+ ft long. Privacy fence, and concrete on half and then paving bricks on the rest. I want to put a pond outside, but I cannot sink it, or put it in permanently. What materials should I use, how big and what kind of maintenance am I looking at? Any help, suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Also any links or web-info would be great too. Thank you so much!! :idea:

 

[MudskipperFan]

Use flexible pond liner.

 

[Kentucky Koi]

you can use landscape bricks or wooden 4x4's. definitely get a flexible liner. don't skimp and do a PVC liner, got 45 ml EMPD liner.

Depending on the filtration and size is how you determine what fish you want. over 1,000 gallons with enough filtration is suitable for koi. anything below that is okay for goldfish, sarasa, and shubunkins.

there's only one way to build a low maitnence pond, and building it itself is more work, and a little bit mroe expensive, but in the long run, you save money on properly fitted pumps, filters, your fish are healthy, so they don't die and you but new ones, and you save time by not cleaning the filters as much.

it always bugs me when people put these skimpy pumps on the bottom of the pond with a foam filter pad, and they clog easily, and they get turned off of the hobby.

take my advise, spend the extra $200 now, and save time and your fish' lives later.

Depending on what you want as far as size, I can hook you up with absolutely everything you will need except the water and bricks/wood. everything from the liner, to pump, to filter, to consultation, and yes, even some aquatic life.

a 6x15x3' pond is over 2,000 gallons, and is more than enough for some koi. no more than 10 though.

-Eric

 

[GuppyGirl1230]

you can use landscape bricks or wooden 4x4's. definitely get a flexible liner. don't skimp and do a PVC liner, got 45 ml EMPD liner.

Depending on the filtration and size is how you determine what fish you want. over 1,000 gallons with enough filtration is suitable for koi. anything below that is okay for goldfish, sarasa, and shubunkins.

there's only one way to build a low maitnence pond, and building it itself is more work, and a little bit mroe expensive, but in the long run, you save money on properly fitted pumps, filters, your fish are healthy, so they don't die and you but new ones, and you save time by not cleaning the filters as much.

it always bugs me when people put these skimpy pumps on the bottom of the pond with a foam filter pad, and they clog easily, and they get turned off of the hobby.

take my advise, spend the extra $200 now, and save time and your fish' lives later.

Depending on what you want as far as size, I can hook you up with absolutely everything you will need except the water and bricks/wood. everything from the liner, to pump, to filter, to consultation, and yes, even some aquatic life.

a 6x15x3' pond is over 2,000 gallons, and is more than enough for some koi. no more than 10 though.

-Eric

Eric,

I would definitely love for you to hook me up with all that. The 6x15x3 is big, but workable I think, and if i can have koi, I want koi, but I don't have to. Also, forgive me, but I need to know all of the technical details like what kind of outlets and power I would need also, filtration, plants, just about everything. I have researched a lot online, but when you talk to someone who has been there and done it, it is way easier to make sense of the research.

Thank you so much!

Maribeth

 

[Muske]

Any pics. of the site?
Is it going on the concrete pad or the pavers?
What is the sun exprosure?

Wood is my vote for frame material. Posts and Plywood screwed together.
EPDM 45 mil. liner.
Underlayment can be Poly-Foam, carpet, or geo-textile.
A skimmer is nice and will hide the pump.
Get the biggest pump you can afford once gallonage is determined.
1-2+ X overturn is good.
High effecient pumps are a little more upfront, but are worth the extra schillings.
Filters can be DIY or Pre-made. I am a fan of upflow designs that allow for Hyacinths to grow in.

 

[pbeemer]

there are a number of posts here about DIY projects for elevated ponds and their accompanying filters (conventional or bog), in a lot of different styles using things like 2x6's, plywood & post, or concrete blocks (e.g. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225355&page=2 ) to support the liner.

they all seem to work. as kentucky koi said earlier, it's better to overdesign the pump and filter from the beginning than to regret a poor choice and have to retrofit.

i'd suggest that you browse around for inspiration and what looks good in your setting, work up your comfort level, and go for it!

Two basic rules:

ALWAYS use a GFI circuit to power your pumps and lights.

and ALWAYS post pictures of the results!

 

[Kentucky Koi]

Eric,

I would definitely love for you to hook me up with all that. The 6x15x3 is big, but workable I think, and if i can have koi, I want koi, but I don't have to. Also, forgive me, but I need to know all of the technical details like what kind of outlets and power I would need also, filtration, plants, just about everything. I have researched a lot online, but when you talk to someone who has been there and done it, it is way easier to make sense of the research.

Thank you so much!

Maribeth

Hi Maribeth,
Are you looking at doing it all yourself?
Feel free to give me a call anytime, 270-903-0338. There's only two times i won't answer, when I'm eating, or in the bathroom, so if I don't answer, call back in 30 min. haha.

anyways,
I'm starting a pond build next friday, and I'll post updates here for you to learn from.

How much are you looking to spend? That is the biggest question here.

If your looking to hire someone, I can design the whole thing, and work with the contractor to make sure its done right, even from 300 miles away.

If you want me to design it for you, email me pictures of where you want it to eric@kentuckykoi.com , and I'll work up something.

-Eric