Hello All!
I've been lurking here awhile and stealing great advice. Now I'm stepping out and want to share some information and photos of my pond build. The final product is around 4,000 gallons, 3.5' deep, and all done by hand. The whole thing cost only about $1,500! I apologize for the long post but hope it may help others their first time around. If you don't care about the details, just skip to the bottom to see the finished product!
I didn't get any "before" pictures but here is one from the second day of digging. It's good to have friends who will work for beer! The fence you see immediately behind the pond just separates two areas of my yard. On the other side I store a boat and trailer and I don't want to look at them. It also ended up serving a great function for this project as you'll see below.
Here you can see the waterfall weir (right corner) and skimmer (left corner) placement. It was a pain but I positioned the skimmer on the other side of the fence. I think this really turned out to be a great idea and worth all the trouble. It's easy to access and yet well hidden. There is also an outlet visible in this picture which was ultimately moved to the other side of the fence.
Here's the original "final" hole. The diameter and depth were about right, but it was short on shelves and I knew rock placement would be difficult.
I sat and looked at it for a couple days (and spent a bunch of time poking around these forums), then decided to bite the bullet and do some more digging. My son and his friend were a few of the many kids who "helped" from time to time. I used the long 2x4 as a level, which worked pretty well. I stacked a couple 2x4's in the skimmer inlet at my desired height then stretched the long one across the pond and found level. Once it was in place I used another 2x4 to level from the long one to the rest of the edges.
Here the final final hole. It may be hard to see in the photo, but it has a shelf around the entire perimeter at about 18" that slopes steeply to a flat bottom.
Now it was time for some plumbing. This picture shows the Savio skimmer behind the fence. I was actually able to get this skimmer FOR FREE from a local landscape supply shop because the holes around the mounting surface where the faceplate attaches were all broken (I assume someone over-tightened the bolts). I simply drilled them through and used stainless bolts and nuts to attach the faceplate. I have an external pump so I just used 2" pipe, a 90, and a check valve in the skimmer. The check valve is necessary to keep the pump's prime.
I buried the flexible 2" pipe that runs from the skimmer to the pump. Here you can see it emerging at a 45 and connecting to the pump (from the right). You can also see the outlet now located on the backside of the fence. I added T's on either side of the pump for future use. They come in handy for priming, and I can use them in the future for a bottom drain and dump-out combination. Also pictured is a UV filter that ultimately outlets separately into the pond. The ball valve on the 2" pipe after the pump actually comes in handy to tweak the flow through the UV. My dad actually happened upon the UV filter and pump at a garage sale while I was digging and was able to score both for $100! The pump is 3500 GPH, which I believe is perfect for my pond, but the UV filter is undersized at 1000 gallons. Based on what I've read on these forums, I think it may still do the trick.
Next I installed the underlayment and liner (45 mil EPDM). I was really worried about under-estimating how much liner I needed, so I ended up buying way too much. I guess I'll either sell it on Craigslist or build another pond. This picture shows the first water going in. I filled it slowly and tried to work out the folds as it went up. As it turns out the weight of the water really does a great job of collapsing even the biggest folds. The first picture shows "Bailey" checking things out. The second picture shows the water level after it passed the shelf. I thought this would help keep the liner weighted down while placing the first rocks. I don't know if it really helped, but it did make it much more difficult to get around.
The hard part is over, right? Wrong... Time for rocks! Here is a picture of the first load. It cost around $250, but turned out to be the only one I actually paid for. The next day I discovered a friend (who works for a developer) has access to unlimited free boulders! Some of these buggers are HUGE (300+ lbs) and it was back-breaking work, especially standing on the slippery liner.
We laid the rocks out on underlayment as I placed them in the pond. This made it easier to select and maneuver the right ones. My dad (who's 67 but an extremely hard worker) stood on the patio and handed down the rocks as I placed them. He also helped me carry the really big guys.
Based on what I've read here, I decided to leave the bottom rock-free and start them on the shelf. My reasons were; (1) it doesn't consume valuable space at the bottom, (2) it requires A LOT less rocks, (3) it will be easier to clean, and (4) and most importantly, it's much healthier for future fish. I just searched the forums for "rocks" and found great discussions about the pros and cons. The clencher for me was preventing hydrogen sulphide! In the bottom-left corner you can see a large stone that is the beginning of my idea to make this a swimming pond (it will ultimately become the top step).
I initially had a lot of trouble placing the boulders, and it wasn't just the weight. I just couldn't visualize how it would all turn out and I spent a lot of time rearranging. I really struggled with the first dozen or so, but eventually found my groove and the rest went much faster. Actually, to be honest, a friend came over one evening with a 12-pack and told me to stop futzing around. We worked late into the night and placed almost all of the rocks, including a huge step on the shelf that was well over 300 lbs.
I spent the next couple days trimming liner and spraying black foam (four cans of "Rockin Foam") to secure the rocks. I also attached the skimmer and waterfall to the liner. Of course I couldn't resist putting some water through the falls! It flowing nicely and I think the steps also came together nicely.
Before placing the last rocks around the top, I filled the pond to make sure they'd sit nicely in the water. Once full, it also became irresistible to my daughter and her friends. The weather has been beautiful here in North Idaho and they "had to" take a dip! In the second picture below you can see the outlet to the skimmer. I really like the way it just disappears under the fence.
Next it was time to gravel around the edges and trim the liner one last time. The liner actually runs to the patio/fence/curbing and the gravel is in the water. This way I can add bog plants later by simply scooping out some rocks. We also placed and foamed the last rocks around the waterfall. It's really coming together now! Oh, and the kids just won't stay out.
And finally, here are a few pics of the final product. I like how the entrance to the skimmer looks like a little creek. I finished off the waterfall with some plants, and a nice piece of slate for the spillway.
The water was pretty cloudy initially (you can only get gravel so clean) but after a couple days it has cleared up nicely. I'm on the fence about letting the kids continue to swim in it, especially once fish are introduced, but for now I'll let them enjoy it.
Next I need to figure out a suitable biological filter. I'm hoping to build it into the waterfall weir so I don't have to add other equipment, but the research continues! Thanks for taking the time to check out my pond!
I've been lurking here awhile and stealing great advice. Now I'm stepping out and want to share some information and photos of my pond build. The final product is around 4,000 gallons, 3.5' deep, and all done by hand. The whole thing cost only about $1,500! I apologize for the long post but hope it may help others their first time around. If you don't care about the details, just skip to the bottom to see the finished product!
I didn't get any "before" pictures but here is one from the second day of digging. It's good to have friends who will work for beer! The fence you see immediately behind the pond just separates two areas of my yard. On the other side I store a boat and trailer and I don't want to look at them. It also ended up serving a great function for this project as you'll see below.
Here you can see the waterfall weir (right corner) and skimmer (left corner) placement. It was a pain but I positioned the skimmer on the other side of the fence. I think this really turned out to be a great idea and worth all the trouble. It's easy to access and yet well hidden. There is also an outlet visible in this picture which was ultimately moved to the other side of the fence.
Here's the original "final" hole. The diameter and depth were about right, but it was short on shelves and I knew rock placement would be difficult.
I sat and looked at it for a couple days (and spent a bunch of time poking around these forums), then decided to bite the bullet and do some more digging. My son and his friend were a few of the many kids who "helped" from time to time. I used the long 2x4 as a level, which worked pretty well. I stacked a couple 2x4's in the skimmer inlet at my desired height then stretched the long one across the pond and found level. Once it was in place I used another 2x4 to level from the long one to the rest of the edges.
Here the final final hole. It may be hard to see in the photo, but it has a shelf around the entire perimeter at about 18" that slopes steeply to a flat bottom.
Now it was time for some plumbing. This picture shows the Savio skimmer behind the fence. I was actually able to get this skimmer FOR FREE from a local landscape supply shop because the holes around the mounting surface where the faceplate attaches were all broken (I assume someone over-tightened the bolts). I simply drilled them through and used stainless bolts and nuts to attach the faceplate. I have an external pump so I just used 2" pipe, a 90, and a check valve in the skimmer. The check valve is necessary to keep the pump's prime.
I buried the flexible 2" pipe that runs from the skimmer to the pump. Here you can see it emerging at a 45 and connecting to the pump (from the right). You can also see the outlet now located on the backside of the fence. I added T's on either side of the pump for future use. They come in handy for priming, and I can use them in the future for a bottom drain and dump-out combination. Also pictured is a UV filter that ultimately outlets separately into the pond. The ball valve on the 2" pipe after the pump actually comes in handy to tweak the flow through the UV. My dad actually happened upon the UV filter and pump at a garage sale while I was digging and was able to score both for $100! The pump is 3500 GPH, which I believe is perfect for my pond, but the UV filter is undersized at 1000 gallons. Based on what I've read on these forums, I think it may still do the trick.
Next I installed the underlayment and liner (45 mil EPDM). I was really worried about under-estimating how much liner I needed, so I ended up buying way too much. I guess I'll either sell it on Craigslist or build another pond. This picture shows the first water going in. I filled it slowly and tried to work out the folds as it went up. As it turns out the weight of the water really does a great job of collapsing even the biggest folds. The first picture shows "Bailey" checking things out. The second picture shows the water level after it passed the shelf. I thought this would help keep the liner weighted down while placing the first rocks. I don't know if it really helped, but it did make it much more difficult to get around.
The hard part is over, right? Wrong... Time for rocks! Here is a picture of the first load. It cost around $250, but turned out to be the only one I actually paid for. The next day I discovered a friend (who works for a developer) has access to unlimited free boulders! Some of these buggers are HUGE (300+ lbs) and it was back-breaking work, especially standing on the slippery liner.
We laid the rocks out on underlayment as I placed them in the pond. This made it easier to select and maneuver the right ones. My dad (who's 67 but an extremely hard worker) stood on the patio and handed down the rocks as I placed them. He also helped me carry the really big guys.
Based on what I've read here, I decided to leave the bottom rock-free and start them on the shelf. My reasons were; (1) it doesn't consume valuable space at the bottom, (2) it requires A LOT less rocks, (3) it will be easier to clean, and (4) and most importantly, it's much healthier for future fish. I just searched the forums for "rocks" and found great discussions about the pros and cons. The clencher for me was preventing hydrogen sulphide! In the bottom-left corner you can see a large stone that is the beginning of my idea to make this a swimming pond (it will ultimately become the top step).
I initially had a lot of trouble placing the boulders, and it wasn't just the weight. I just couldn't visualize how it would all turn out and I spent a lot of time rearranging. I really struggled with the first dozen or so, but eventually found my groove and the rest went much faster. Actually, to be honest, a friend came over one evening with a 12-pack and told me to stop futzing around. We worked late into the night and placed almost all of the rocks, including a huge step on the shelf that was well over 300 lbs.
I spent the next couple days trimming liner and spraying black foam (four cans of "Rockin Foam") to secure the rocks. I also attached the skimmer and waterfall to the liner. Of course I couldn't resist putting some water through the falls! It flowing nicely and I think the steps also came together nicely.
Before placing the last rocks around the top, I filled the pond to make sure they'd sit nicely in the water. Once full, it also became irresistible to my daughter and her friends. The weather has been beautiful here in North Idaho and they "had to" take a dip! In the second picture below you can see the outlet to the skimmer. I really like the way it just disappears under the fence.
Next it was time to gravel around the edges and trim the liner one last time. The liner actually runs to the patio/fence/curbing and the gravel is in the water. This way I can add bog plants later by simply scooping out some rocks. We also placed and foamed the last rocks around the waterfall. It's really coming together now! Oh, and the kids just won't stay out.
And finally, here are a few pics of the final product. I like how the entrance to the skimmer looks like a little creek. I finished off the waterfall with some plants, and a nice piece of slate for the spillway.
The water was pretty cloudy initially (you can only get gravel so clean) but after a couple days it has cleared up nicely. I'm on the fence about letting the kids continue to swim in it, especially once fish are introduced, but for now I'll let them enjoy it.
Next I need to figure out a suitable biological filter. I'm hoping to build it into the waterfall weir so I don't have to add other equipment, but the research continues! Thanks for taking the time to check out my pond!
