Is our inherited pond beyond repair?

[Fraggle]

Hello! I'm hoping I can ask for your wisdom please? We moved into our bungalow last year, and inherited a pond (pics attached). Initially, my husband and I agreed to smash it out and patio the area... but I'm having second thoughts and he's left me unattended so I'm formulating a plan to save it Maybe?

We bumped into the previous owners son who told us that his Dad used to keep koi and fish in it at one point. I know zilch about ponds yet have done some Internet sleuthing and the optimist in me thinks I could restore it. I've no idea where any of the previous pumps or filters are - and last year we had someone clear the huge amount of pampas grass and clear that side of the garden So they may have chucked stuff. It looks like it has a waterfall? And there's cable housing that seems to disappear into the concrete. I also think that the guttering feeds the pond somehow, based on the guttering being buried under the steps and the presence of lichen. Absolutely correct me if I'm wrong please!

Aside from emptying the bricks (they were there when we moved in) and the weeds, what else do I need to consider? Also... is it costly to restore and run a pond? Sorry for all the questions. I'd be incredibly grateful for any guidance!

(Oh, I'm based on Sussex coast in the UK if that makes any difference to decisions I might need to make)

 

[Nucktheking]

I also "inherited" a pond when we moved into our house (in Uckfield: are you anywhere near?!) We also wondered about filling it in, but the thought of having to flush the 12 fish down the loo was too much, so we kept it.

It's been both a joy and a pain.

When it's working properly, with clear water and happy fish, it's great: but it's taken a bit of work (and about £1k) to get it to where it is now.

Yours looks very complicated, and if there's no water in it, there might be a hole in the liner somewhere: and finding that could be a nightmare - especially given how intricate the pipework and surrounding garden looks.

I would suggest getting a specialist in to have a look at it and give you a quote for getting it back in action. If it does get back into working order, it will be a JOY!

 

[Hound Heaven]

Lucky you! Well that is if you like to work and tinker. I would start by excavating the hole to see how it looks. Is there/was there a liner? What are the dimensions? What sort of fish are you interested in having? Should you expand or reshape it? I think I might want to replace the liner, pump etc. and start fresh instead of inheriting more issues. I would add a bog as your filter which will allow you to experiment with lots of fun plants and also not require you to clean any filters. Simple and easy! Well, sort of. But it's fun!
You've found a wealth of experience and advice here so ask lots of questions. And thanks for posting the pictures, that's very helpful.

 

[Fraggle]

I also "inherited" a pond when we moved into our house (in Uckfield: are you anywhere near?!) We also wondered about filling it in, but the thought of having to flush the 12 fish down the loo was too much, so we kept it.

It's been both a joy and a pain.

When it's working properly, with clear water and happy fish, it's great: but it's taken a bit of work (and about £1k) to get it to where it is now.

Yours looks very complicated, and if there's no water in it, there might be a hole in the liner somewhere: and finding that could be a nightmare - especially given how intricate the pipework and surrounding garden looks.

I would suggest getting a specialist in to have a look at it and give you a quote for getting it back in action. If it does get back into working order, it will be a JOY!

Thanks for your reply and cost expectations - sadly, I'm not sure the husband would approve of a 1k cost. Although I could contact a pond specialist(?) so they can quote me and take it from there.

I've spent this evening clearing the bricks and can see no holes currently... it seems to be concrete and then the other half looks like fibreglass??

I like the idea of a pond. I just need a plan before I give the husband a cost/benefit analysis

Oh, and I'm Woodingdean area BTW so we get lots of wind!!

 

[Fraggle]

Lucky you! Well that is if you like to work and tinker. I would start by excavating the hole to see how it looks. Is there/was there a liner? What are the dimensions? What sort of fish are you interested in having? Should you expand or reshape it? I think I might want to replace the liner, pump etc. and start fresh instead of inheriting more issues. I would add a bog as your filter which will allow you to experiment with lots of fun plants and also not require you to clean any filters. Simple and easy! Well, sort of. But it's fun!
You've found a wealth of experience and advice here so ask lots of questions. And thanks for posting the pictures, that's very helpful.

Thanks for your reply! I've no idea what a bog filter is... there's a flat gravel bed at the end of the pond at ground level?
The pond is rocks and the inner seems to be concrete and the other part looks like fibreglass? The concrete is pretty thick so reshaping looks like it would be tricky but I could likely change the look with planting around it? On one side the pond is above ground and on the other, it's into the ground as we live on a hill. Which I don't know whether that will help or hinder any work!

 

[Hound Heaven]

You'll have a better idea of what you've got to work with once you clean it out. So you may already have a bog? A bog is simply a filter that a small amount of water trickles into that allows beneficial bacteria to grow and the plants in it then absorb the nutrients. Mine happens to be above ground, but you'll get the idea better if you see one maybe. Also - do a search through the various forum areas and read some of the great articles about pond construction.
Here's a couple to get you started:

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...-filter-eco-filter-wetland-filter.6894/unread​

and https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...sh-you-have-waste-produced-fish-length.30399/

 

[j.w]

@Fraggle

 

[Fraggle]

You'll have a better idea of what you've got to work with once you clean it out. So you may already have a bog? A bog is simply a filter that a small amount of water trickles into that allows beneficial bacteria to grow and the plants in it then absorb the nutrients. Mine happens to be above ground, but you'll get the idea better if you see one maybe. Also - do a search through the various forum areas and read some of the great articles about pond construction.
Here's a couple to get you started:

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...-filter-eco-filter-wetland-filter.6894/unread​

and https://www.gardenpondforum.com/thr...sh-you-have-waste-produced-fish-length.30399/

That's wonderful! Thank you so much