Well here we go. Just finished up our 4-5 day build and boy was it a lot of work. Pretty happy with the results, but time will tell how things work out. First, some more details. My parents came to town to help dig, which was all done by hand. Rock was also moved by hand. Obviously, if you have the option, I do NOT recommend doing it this way. My soil is very sandy, so it wasn't too bad, but after 1 day of digging and 1 day of hauling boulder, my muscles were not happy. A little tip, if you need to move giant rock, a 2 wheel dolly works very well! Best $60 I've ever spent.
As I discussed before, I was intent on having a bog. However, I also but ordered a Tetra pressure filter. Let me get this out of the way right now....I'm already very annoyed with that filter. The box/description call for 1.5 inch tubing, but apparently the fittings included don't fit 1.5 inch flex PVC (too loose). Even cranking down on the hose clamps would not seal the barb/PVC connection. I had to build a hard PVC connection that I could glue in the PVC. Not simple and not something I should have had to do.
Other than the stupid pressure filter, everything else worked pretty much as planned. The bog appears to be running correctly (we'll see if the plants I add survive). Waterfall is flowing. I think I placed the rock correctly. Didn't do anything other than large boulders in the actual water to avoid waste traps and still keep a natural look. Even ended up with a nice spot for my daughter's fairy garden. I'll be sure to add more photos as things grow in, but I figured now that my 4-5 days of work is over, I should document things!
Well here is the before picture of the area. Day #1
First rock delivery....1 ton 6-12".
Two tons of 12-18"
1 ton (plus extra I think) of 18-24". All washed up.
Sod removed.
Hole dug with underlayment.
Liner over the region
Hauled the rocks down the hill.
Boggggggggggggg. I had to change the shape and size due to a surprise sprinkler line.
A rocking we will go.
Hose is on.
Almost full.
Dirty water (drained it later and refilled)
Final view from the patio.
Waterfall