Mr.Wizards Pond

[Mr.Wizard]

I am building a 5'x9', 18" deep pond. The pond will house marginal flowers, water lilies and goldfish. I am also considering native fish like bluegills and red-eared sunfish but it will probably be goldfish. At the moment I am about halfway through with the excavation. I will keep posting my progress.

Equipment:
10’x15’ 45mil EPDM liner
5’x5’ 45mil EPDM liner for waterfall
Danner 950gph pump
Pondbuilder Serenity waterfall spillway
Tetrapond skimmer


Initial layout

Forms for concrete collar

Concrete poured

1st layer of excavation

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Goldfish...OK. Bluegills and Sunfish.....Nay, entirely too shallow at 18".

 

[addy1]

You might have heat issues, not sure of your temperatures there. My pond in AZ was 5 feet deep, it averaged 85 degrees in the summer. I had a huge waterfall to help cool the water and shade.

 

[Nepen]

Why not lay bricks a couple more levels? it'll help rise the pond a bit. And a rised pond where you can just sit comfortably at the edge is totally nice...

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I thought about doing a raised pond. I am partial the look of having flagstone pavers and grass around the edge. I want to put some plants, maybe ferns, in the back to hang over the edge and tie everything together.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

As for temperature I may just see how it goes once I have some established plants. My main concern is diurnal temperature swing and its effect on the fish.

 

[Faebinder]

My advise... take your time... dig more... get to 36 inches deep.. You'll be happier and the fish will thank you.

Oh and install a bottom drain!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I finished excavation and put some sand on the bottom. Added the underlayment and pond liner. I filled the pond about 3/4 full. (170gallons) I had to let the silicon around the overflow to dry before I fill it all the way. Maybe I can call the county vector control and get some free mosquito fish to start cycling. Next on the list is the waterfall and edging.

 

[addy1]

Nice

 

[Mr.Wizard]

 

[addy1]

Nice looking build

 

[Lisak1]

I think a lot of people would advice against adding gambusia (I assume that's what you mean by "mosquito fish"). Once they are in your pond, they breed like crazy and it's near unto impossible to get rid of them completely.

Your pond looks lovely, by the way! It's going to be very nice!

 

[tuank13e3]

verry nice

 

[tuank13e3]

I think a lot of people would advice against adding gambusia (I assume that's what you mean by "mosquito fish"). Once they are in your pond, they breed like crazy and it's near unto impossible to get rid of them completely.

Your pond looks lovely, by the way! It's going to be very nice!

amazing

 

[budgenator]

I put a dozen feeder goldfish in my pond, thinking I would switch over to koi when it established, they are now a couple hundred; so don't put anything in you don't want to keep forever.