Before and After

[sissy]

I started with a preformed until the front porch was done and the yard was backifilled from the house basement being done

 

[cas]

I confess... I thought I knew what I was doing... had pictures and books and went to a pond building seminar - twice. I still ended up redoing things because they just didn't end up looking like what I had imagined!

 

[Lisak1]

I just started digging. I didn't even have a bucket, just a little garden seat I'd fill with muck. Thank goodness for you guys, I'd probably have west nile virus if I hadn't found you.
Although on the other hand I wouldn't have a huge pond addiction if you guys hadn't egged me on. Or FISH for that matter... And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids

You're welcome!

 

[Lisak1]

@addy1 - your irises, thriving in Northern IL!

 

[addy1]

@addy1 - your irises, thriving in Northern IL! View attachment 100581

Wow nice! thanks for showing me how they are doing!

 

[CindyA]

OK, I'm ashamed of my little pond now...
Your's are all so beautiful!

 

[DeepWater]

View from the screen porch:
Before - must have been about 2003, before a tornado removed the trees.

After - June 5, 2017

Another view, from the patio door:
Before - June 4, 2013. Trees are gone, mini-fence across yard to keep young kids safe.

After - June 6, 2017

 

[cas]

So how many gallons was your first pond and how many gallons is your current pond @DeepWater ? I like them both.

 

[cas]

OK, I'm ashamed of my little pond now

Nothing to be ashamed of - I started with a 10 gallon tank will black mollies in it...... We all start somewhere.

 

[sissy]

a pond is a pond. Started with a reformed .

 

[DeepWater]

So how many gallons was your first pond and how many gallons is your current pond @DeepWater ? I like them both.

I'm guessing old was about 1000 gallons, new is between 8 and 10,000 gallons. Still need to map out all the calculations to get it right.

Looking back at the first pond it looks nicer than I remember it. I guess after 15 years I just wanted to change it up (go bigger!!!) It did have problems I needed to address:
- During the pond's first summer in 2001, raccoons chewed holes in the liner folds and the patches were wearing out. I think there were 14 separate areas to patch.
- lower pond was 4 feet deep with straight down walls, and any water loss exposed the liner folds (aka raccoon chew toys).
- lower pond had only 1 plant shelf.
- no filter system except a pump sock and that would clog up after every rain.
- mini stream was just too small to handle any leaves or debris getting in.

 

[Lisak1]

You're the second person I've heard of that had raccoons chew their liner - what the heck is up with that? You'd think one little nibble would tell them it's nothing delicious. Of course, maybe they find tasty stuff underneath!

 

[DeepWater]

You're the second person I've heard of that had raccoons chew their liner - what the heck is up with that? You'd think one little nibble would tell them it's nothing delicious. Of course, maybe they find tasty stuff underneath!

The tasty stuff was down in the water. I had 5 green frogs that summer, and I'm sure those raccoons were a little miffed they couldn't reach them. Took out frustrations by squeezing their jaws on the springy rubber liner.

 

[mgmine]

One day I decided to start building. The next day I was too far to turn back. when it was all done I decided to use the hill for a Hobbit house.

 

[tbendl]

That's awesome. I love the stream and the hobbit door, so original and cute!