New wading pond sketches

It doesn't seem like there are many wading ponds out there. [or I
can't seem to find them, at any rate] If anyone knows of site that
talks about them I'd love to check it out. I may have fish and
will have some plants, but the main purpose of this pond will be for
small dogs to splash around in.

I'm up to stage 2. I've dug some to level the site, and made some
adjustments.

One adjustment was to move the pond 4' further away from the
electrical outlet. Smacked myself in the head when I read on page
120something of the book I'm reading that you should keep your water 6
feet from an outlet. Doh!

Another adjustment was to change where my excess runoff is going to
go. Once the site was leveled it made it much more apparent that I
was fighting nature too much and pitching to the north instead of the
south would send the runoff from a nearby paver patio to a better
place.

Here is what I'm thinking will go in. [8x12- pebbled beach area, max
depth 24"]

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/i...pg&album=33392

The pebbled beach will be held in place with black foam. Still
looking for the 'right' stones. I'm thinking of more or less flat,
round, 3-4" stones. I've seen the stones in an aquarium shop for
$1 a pound-- and at a landscaper's for $3 each. I'm hoping to do
much better even if I have to buy a few tons of stone and pick through
them. [which looks like a better option all the time as I've got a
couple projects that could use a few tons of stone.]

My thoughts on plumbing- with 1 1/2" flexible PVC. I'm in NY &
will be draining things each fall, but suspect the flexible PVC will
hold up best in our climate. [open to suggestions]

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/i...pg&album=33392

Guesstimate on the pond is about 700 gallons. I have a Savio 2050
that I want to put in a skimmer. Outlet will go to a framed in
distribution box that will branch off with several ball valves;
1. to a veggie filter,
2. to a 16" weir that will wash over the beach in hopes that it will
keep the pebbles less slippery.
3. to an outlet in the other part of the pond. Partly to help the
swirling of the skimmer- and partly to adjust the weir without choking
the pump.
4. a waste line? Seems like a good idea - is it?

And finally- depth;

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/i...pg&album=33392

I have no idea how slippery the bottom of this thing will be. Any
thoughts on these three possible bottom contours? How much pitch
becomes a hazard-- or how big a drop-off?

Thanks,
Jim



Jim Elbrecht

Disclaimer - I'm the last person to comment on technical stuff (that's
why
I married an engineer...) but I'll give general thoughts -

I love this idea. Labradors won't swim but they love to tromp around
in
the bog area of my pond on a hot day. I can see doing something like
this
when we retire and move (don't tell DH...)

Smelly and muddy paws are my problem. If I was building this pond I
would
plan on being able to flush it out easily so I could power wash the
rocks. So I
guess I would want to concrete the rocks in - maybe rough flagstone?

This reminds me of a project I saw in Sunset magazine once. Someone
put in a long
stream and made it safe for grandchildren wading with plans of sailing
paper boats down
the stream. I remember that making the concrete safe and slime proof
was a primary concern.

Did I ramble over any helpful thoughts? ;-)
Keep us informed!

k :-)

one thing is usually dogs and fish don't mix well... fish will be scared and hiding which can cause stress which can let disease and parasites get a foothold. Dogs will stir up the bottom which could cause water clarity issues at the least, and possible water quality issues. Not saying it can't be done, but I believe a much larger pond would be needed to give fish a place to run to and not be disturbed and frightened. Stones on the bottom create a perfect place for bacteria, fish waste and organic debris to hide and can cause a cleaning nightmare. I doubt most plants would fair much better if the dogs will be swimming, jumping and playing... also, if you are planning on using a liner will it hold up to sharp toenails? Anyway, just my thoughts, hope you plan for a suitable project that fits your needs. Good luck, keep us posted on your progress!

You will want a lot more volume. The more water the less the water will change and shock the fish. If you are planning on draining the pond every fall, what will you do with the fish and plants? Something that you'll have to figure out. You'd be best off making the pond deeper and keeping everything in there over the winter, if you winterize it.

Rocks will hold more curd and make it very difficult to keep your pond clean. All the grime will get into the spaces. It looks nice, but can be a headache. The only rocks I have in my pond are in one corner and the waterfalls, otherwise I just have liner.

I can't see how you will keep the pond from getting slippery with algae, unless you use chemicals, but you will be ending up with a pool and not a pond.

Any pond can become a wading pond... I am putting lilly pots in the deepest part of the pond, which is 5' deep. I have 3 more pots to move, just waiting for another hot day.

http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/mmps/I...ut=255,255,255

On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:22:56 EDT, Jim Elbrecht <> wrote:

>One adjustment was to move the pond 4' further away from the
>electrical outlet. Smacked myself in the head when I read on page
>120something of the book I'm reading that you should keep your water 6
>feet from an outlet. Doh!

You might even have a city code regarding this. I know locally there is one
for swimming pools. My power is 8-10 feet away, but right next to the
filter. Not sure if the filter counts, hope not. ;-)

>http://server6.theimagehosting.com/i...pg&album=33392

Plan looks pretty good to me.

> I've seen the stones in an aquarium shop for
>$1 a pound-- and at a landscaper's for $3 each.

Look for construction sites, especially if you have rivers near by.
Contractors love people who will haul away rock, as they often have to pay
someone to do it. That's how I got my bigger rock for the hill beside the
pond that the stream runs down.

>How much pitch becomes a hazard-- or how big a drop-off?
>Jim

Well, once covered with algae, flat can be a hazard, even with water shoes.
But a four legged critter is better adjusted, and I believe this is for a
small dog, breed? Not as far to slip, and that's half the fun.... for a
dog. ;-)

Kathy mentioned the muddy smelly wet dog thing, perhaps one needs a mini
doggie shower by the door, a spray down station? ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

The only thing I've ever coveted from someone else's home
is an outdoor doggy washing station where they had
access to hot water so the temperature could be just
right. If I ever get to build our own house or remodel
I'm putting that in.

k :-)

better than an outdoor shower!!!!

On Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:40:23 EDT, kathy <> wrote:

>The only thing I've ever coveted from someone else's home
>is an outdoor doggy washing station where they had
>access to hot water so the temperature could be just
>right. If I ever get to build our own house or remodel
>I'm putting that in.
>
>k :-)