Not a tank.. 30k gal pond build

[J-P]

This Monday the 19th, the backhoe is arriving to build the pond (that was supposed to be done last year).

Similar to my tank, step 1 dig
Step 2 Liner: I am thinking of going with roofing liner as opposed to pond or pool liner for 2 reasons: a) it is black and b) it is cheaper
Step 3 Fill the pond: This will be the leak test but I intend to hand stitch / fuse the liner with a torch so I pray there are no leaks
Step 4 Sand the bottom: not sure about this step
Step 5 Cycle the pond: Most places I have read say that you should let the pond lie fallow for a year prior to adding you fish. This is not an option so I will research different cycling techniques. I might go the "septo bac" way as it has worked in the past

Step 6 scaping and aqua culture: The usual stores I went to for hardy aquatic plants have closed so I'll have to find alternatices or grow my own

Step 7 add fish.


Need suggestions for #7

[purplecandle]

Why are you so handy? I am so jealous..

When I first bought by house I wanted a pond....there is even a place on my property that once had a pond but has been filled in...

My husband has a shed full of tools and some know how...but do I have a pond..NOOOOOO

My husband never fixes anything and I am sure our tackiness has brought down property values..

Last week, instead of setting up a dog fence/dog run properly and pretty..he nails it to the back of our dang house...

Good luck with the pond J-P..please post pictures

[Flutter]

A pond. Alright, I'm coming swimming this summer

[Hilly]

30k gallons, Sweet. What dimensions are you thinking. If you are thinking Koi then depth is gonna be key bit with that amount of volme of water then going 6ft plus down isnt going to be a problem. Not sure about sanding the bottom of the pond but Putting sand underneath the liner helps with a bit of cushioning just in case there are any sharp bits you cant see in the soil. Carpet underlay and cheap carpet offcuts equally work well.

Then the fun bit setting upthe filtration, pump fed or gravity fed, amount of UV's, pond heater depending on how harsh your winter conditions get.

I had no choice I had to shift my fish in a couple of weeks after building it from my old house so after it was filled, plants put in and left to run for a while I had no choice but to shift the fish and put them straight in. Im sure there are far better ways and there was no way the bacteria in the pond was going to be suficient to deal with a bioload that I was adding but when your on a truncated timetable and dont have any choice there isnt a lot you can do.

Looking forward to your progress.

[Flutter]

A lady I know made her own pond filter. Used a huge tupperware containers, powerheads, a million bioballs, floss, etc. Probably way cheaper than buying one if you were looking to be handy

[J-P]

thanks guys! No filter, no pump, no UVs... noting ... going to be really ghetto My neighbor has had a successful koi pond like that for years and has even bread them when the wild life didn't get at them.

The dimensions are roughly 15 x 30 x 8 feet deep.

The backhoe rental is $75 per hour so it should only cost $150 MAX to have it dug. Pond liner?? still not sure on that part. Most people here don't use a liner but the water level really drops in the fall. I think I might only line part of it.. probably the sides where the most leakage would occur.

I'll definitely get pics as we go along

purplecandle, haha thanks, don't feel bad. If your hubby had as much spare time on his hands as I do, he'd be able to get some stuff done. BUT and there always is one, it has to be something that he would like to do. I have yet to finish painting the trim around the living room or the wall paper

[doraemon]

"Not a tank.. 30k gal pond build"

J-P needs a new camera! Anyone willing to pitch in?


Doraemon needs a new house and garden just ike J-P's..are YOU willing to chip in J-P haha

[J-P]

LOL!! I can get you a couple acres REALLY cheap

[J-P]

The back hoe came yesterday! We were so excited! The entire family was out to watch the dig.

EPIC FAIL!!!!!!

1st) we didn't get 2 feet before we hit the weeping tile for our septic bed. It smelt like my bath water.
2nd) I chose a different location for the site and the backhoe got rutted in in the first 2 mins. It took both the operator and myself to get it out (4 hours later)
3rd) The backhoe got a punctured tire so the operator was left stranded at out house for a few hours!

Not I have at least an acre of land that looks like a 40' gopher had its way with it!

Pics to follow once I get a chance!

[soggydrysuit]

Buggrit!

Can you get away with a liner and old carpet (charity shops, dumps even) on that site? Or would it drift inward because of the surrounding 'water'? We're lucky here, you get a pack including geology when you buy a house.

I know - half bury a grain silo, MFK style

Really sorry to hear about that - i thought I had probs when testing my vat in the outbuilding because I could hear water running what sounded like underground and I knew there was a main sewer pipe for about sixty houses somewhere under there. Checked the plans and it wasn't on it, just the accoustics of the pump running. Phew instead of poo...

[J-P]

this is my back yard that looks like a 40 foot gopher has its way with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk3MdlzlGxA

[doraemon]

That is your backyard?

Looks like a forest to me lol becareful u dont strain urself Bill Gates lookalike but with shaved head lolol dont wanna get another stroke like last time!

[J-P]

no it was actually a landscaping company that did that!

The owners dropped by later so see the "progress" and they were seriously upset with the backhoe operator. I learned some new swear words that day!

As for a forest ... yes 72 acre bush lot.. mostly mixed forest.

[PolishPuff]

WOW J-P

That will be a great spot for a pond

On that You Tube video, so quiet and peaceful place you got there, nothing like mine ( Chicago )

[J-P]

yea if it ever gets done! We only went 3 feet before we hit water