1st pond build attempt

[hitchins08]

Hi all I'm new to the forum. I have a general idea about building ponds after lots of reading, so due to being stuck indoors while COVID blows over thought, I would have a go at a fish pond so grabbed my shovel and started digging. I'm wondering about depth for maybe Koi or other fish not decided as yet depends how deep I can go before I hit the drainage lol. I have attached a few images of what I have so far & the measurements are 9.5ft x 5ft and the lowest point in the image in 55cm am I going in the right direction here? also, would I need to lower the 1st ledge deeper not the top one where the liner will go over.

As you can also see the ledge where the liner will go over it collapsed as I started doing a runoff as my garden slopes a lot, can I backfill those as the underlay and liner fill up once it's in there? my soil is rather rubbish with lots of stone will do me best to get them out but will there pierce the underlay and liner? Thanks for reading.

 

[j.w]

@hitchins08
Many will agree here w/me I think that your pond is too small for koi. I would go w/pretty Shubunkins.

 

[hitchins08]

Thanks for the replies. I have a pump brought ready a Fish Mate 9000 Pond Pump, 3-way water splitter, 1 will run to the fountain and one running to the filtration that will return to the waterfall back to the pond hopefully the pump should be adequate.

I'm planning building upwards now from the top ledge with breeze blocks to about knee-high, what're your thoughts of building upwards now? just thought it would barrier it off a bit so doesn't look like you're going to fall in when walking past, I can get some extra depth I think by the build-up probably about 5 breeze blocks high with a nice top, then finish the outer wall with either render or decking.

 

[j.w]

I think w/koi you need more than just depth. They need lots of surface area to get enough oxygen for their huge bodies and be able to fly like the wind through the water. A couple koi might be ok in that size of pond but any more and you might have trouble keeping up the water quality. Shubunkins are very pretty fish. Kind of like a smaller looking koi w/many color variations. Some have very long flowing tails also. Sorry to keep pushing you away from koi but I think you would really enjoy these other fish in your size of pond.

 

[hitchins08]

I think w/koi you need more than just depth. They need lots of surface area to get enough oxygen for their huge bodies and be able to fly like the wind through the water. A couple koi might be ok in that size of pond but any more and you might have trouble keeping up the water quality. Shubunkins are very pretty fish. Kind of like a smaller looking koi w/many color variations. Some have very long flowing tails also. Sorry to keep pushing you away from koi but I think you would really enjoy these other fish in your size of pond.

View attachment 127542

Think you are spot on. I looked at hose Shubunkins when mentioned in the post earlier and they look rather active and as I have never kept fish before these will be good until I gain more experience. Then maybe in a few years extend the pond as I have another 1mtr each side I can extend. Thanks for you help. If I may ask should I put anything over the soil before the underlay liner and liner go in?

 

[j.w]

If you don't have any sharp protruding rocks or tree roots sticking up then I would just use the underlayment. I used all kinds of carpeting, thick blankets, anything soft and I have really sandy soil w/no rocks or roots. If you find spots w/sharp things you can use extra stuff to lay over those particular areas. If nothing else it will ease your mind. Some that have really rocky soil have put a layer of sand on top of the soil under the underlayment. From your pix it looks like your soil is pretty descent and I see no pokey things.

 

[hitchins08]

If you don't have any sharp protruding rocks or tree roots sticking up then I would just use the underlayment. I used all kinds of carpeting, thick blankets, anything soft and I have really sandy soil w/no rocks or roots. If you find spots w/sharp things you can use extra stuff to lay over those particular areas. If nothing else it will ease your mind. Some that have really rocky soil have put a layer of sand on top of the soil under the underlayment. From your pix it looks like your soil is pretty descent and I see no pokey things.

Wasnt decent when digging it out nightmare it's not too bad but does seem to have a good few protruding stones and every time i get rid of one another appears, no roots. So think as peace of mind I will throw all the wife's clothes in there as she is not happy I'm doing a pond, maybe not she will kill me. Will have a mooch for similar to what you said. Thanks again.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

ummmmm you use her clothes, she will buy new and more expensive ones! A carpet pad or underlayment would be a lot cheaper in the long run!

Stick with shubunkins, goldfish. Koi are very pretty and get really big and demand high quality water and lots of it.

For sure build up, the more water you have the better.

 

[hitchins08]

Hi all thought I would drop in and show the stage I’m at now, Tomorrow I will be starting the waterfall feature the box in the middle is going to be my home made filter just waiting on pipe work to arrive What you think so far.

 

[JRS]

Looking good!

 

[addy1]

Very nice!

 

[hitchins08]

Thought I would check in we have an established pond know learned a lot already . Thought I would share where we are at now.

 

[IPA]

The alligator is so real looking! It’s awesome.

 

[hitchins08]

The alligator is so real looking! It’s awesome.

About £12 of eBay

 

[IPA]

About £12 of eBay

I am going to get one just to see my wife’s reaction, haha.