My first pond build from start to (hopefully) finish

[killerbren]

Okay guys and gals, this will be my thread on the construction of my pond. I think I have most of the design problems figured out and out of the way so now I just have to do it. Limited space is an issue so hopefully it wont come back to bite me later. Any questions, concerns, tips or opinions are welcomed! good or bad, I want this to turn out good.

Here is a picture from my deck showing what my backyard used to look like, just a square piece of grass basically.

Re-stained the fence, took out the old garbage bin, and brought in a sod cutter to pull out some grass.

Put in my underground electrical as well as a water line to the left hand side. Due to space concerns I figured I would build the waterfall out of cribbing, and then rock it in after so the waterfall is more vertical (as apposed to mounding a big pile of dirt).

Let the digging begin!

 

[koiguy1969]

looks like its takin' shape!...now,get the darn thing finished!...your on here posting pics, when youve got a pond to finish!! now get out there young man, and i mean now!
seriously...well done.. its looking good!

 

[j.w]

Looks great to me!

 

[pondlover]

Looking great, but I agree with Koiguy.... get out there and get some work done!!

 

[Sunshine]

Looks great.

 

[CometKeith]

Great start. How many gallons and what dimensions is it going to be? Also and what type of fish are you planning? Thanks for posting your construction pics. I think those sort of pics are always helpful for anyone planning on building a new pond.

 

[addy1]

Looking good. How hot/cold does it get there? Looks like you have some good depth in your pond.

 

[killerbren]

Great start. How many gallons and what dimensions is it going to be? Also and what type of fish are you planning? Thanks for posting your construction pics. I think those sort of pics are always helpful for anyone planning on building a new pond.

The longest span is about 16 feet wide, from front to back the longest span right now is 8 feet but im going to pull out more grass in the front and make it alittle bigger. waterfall is 4 feet, and the sides will be 4 feet deep with 5 feet at the bottom drain. Was origionally just planning to put goldfish in there because I wanted plants, but now i'll put in a few koi, I should have the filtration set up and a bog on the edges to keep the plants safe. When all the rocks are in im thinking it should be around 3000 gal.

Looking good. How hot/cold does it get there? Looks like you have some good depth in your pond.

It gets to about 95 in the summer and -31 in the winter for short bursts. I wanted to go deep because I dont want to have to bring the fish inside every winter.

 

[killerbren]

So Ive finally ordered all my equipment and im going to pick it up april 21 so I have some time to do some last minute digging and shaping. This is the stuff I got:

Atlantic ps4600 skimmer with a reeflo hybrid external pump, pumping to my bogs and tpr jets
Koi toilet I 4" Bottom drain gravity feeding a homemade mechanical filter (made from 30 4" filter brushes), which is then attached to another reeflo hybrid pump. This will then branch to feed a laguna 28 watt uv filter, then go to my savio livingponds bio waterfall filter.
I also bought a hakko 40 litre air pump to run the bottom drain, and a firestone 25' x 35' 45mil epdm liner and underlay.

So I have a week and a half to make the pond alittle bigger, dig trenches for the plumbing, and frame up the edging bogs.

 

[j.w]

So what are you waiting for..................get busy

 

[JenH]

Looks like it will be very nice when you are finished! Can't wait to see the end results, especially your waterfall! Wish mine could have been that tall! You live in Alberta? My husband is from Edmonton. Way to cold up there for me

 

[killerbren]

Pond update!

So a week ago it rained a few inches and I woke up to find about a foot of water in the "hole". I bailed out what I could but it is taking forever to dry. Yesterday I picked up all the pumps, filters, and bottom drain and today I dug the pond a little wider. Im only able to go about 2 feet down right now before the mud gets to sticky so It looks like I'll need to wait for it to dry. Today I managed to place the waterfall filter in the waterfall. Tomorrow I'll dig a hole for the skimmer and my other filter, and hopefully get some of the plumbing worked out while Im waiting.

I'll post some pictures in the morning.

 

[j.w]

One step in front of the other gets the job done! You will get there and we will be watching. Hope it stays dry for ya!

 

[addy1]

Looking forward to your pictures

 

[sissy]

Oh my god your dog looks like my Hunter who passed away 2 years ago he was a sable colored weimerweiner and I could not believe I was looking at him and seeing my Hunter.They are such cute dogs .My older son rescued him from one of those puppie mill horrors after they were shut down and when he bought his own house I could not give up my Hunter and since he was on thyroid meds and I was better at his care my son decided it was best he stay with me .I adored him .Sorry I ramble some of the times when it comes to pets .I do like the shape of your pond and at least you are giving yourself a good place to hide your filter .So you are thinking ahead ,Great job

 

[killerbren]

okay there has been a huge turn of events. Today I was going to dig holes for my filters just to get something accomplished. At 7 tonight I phoned up a friend to come over and help and have a few cold ones. He took one look at the hole and told me I was crazy. This is where I will insert some pictures showing you what it looks like today. The shelves caved in a little over winter and its pretty muddy in the bottom, but the waterfall filter is in at least. I also dug the pond alittle wider as well...

Sissy this picture is just for you...

A few loads of rock I managed to find...

To keep you guys in the loop, up until today I would shovel dirt into a wheelbarrow, then wheelbarrow the dirt up a ramp and into the bed of my 1/2 ton truck. I would then drive out of town and shovel all the dirt out of the back. Ive probably done this about 10 times so far, probably more. Well the problem now is that it is so wet down where Im digging its a sticky clay, which makes it impossible and it doesnt look like it will be drying out anytime soon.


Well, to come back to the beginning of my story, my friend knew a guy who owed him a favor and made a quick phone call. Before you knew it this was parked in my back yard.

Tomorrow will be a huge day, I will keep you guys in the loop....

 

[addy1]

Fantastic! dig away, My tractor is the only reason I have a pond. Make it nice and deep and big while you have that neat little machine!

Beautiful dogs!

 

[CountryEscape]

Woohoo, that looks like you will be having a grand ole time digging now! I have a tractor with loader, too, and like Addy, my 2 ponds would not have been built with the tractor. Digging is easy, pushing that heavy wheelbarrow was too much for this "mature" lady's back and muscles! Thanks goodness for machinery! Can't wait to see more digging pics. Hopefully you will have someone take pics in action with the digging machine.

 

[blessedfamily]

I would be in so much trouble if I had a digging machine lol...can't wait to see more pictures.

 

[sissy]

Oh my gosh are they the cutest things .I love those faces all innocent looking .This is my nut ,that was his nickname and the wood dog is where his sissy is buried ,she was an albino pit bull ,she passed away from cancer .Hunters best spot was his sofa .Do you have sandy soil and thats why parts caved in .happy digging