My mini-pond pics and stories

[addy1]

That is looking great. Love what you have done.

One thing to think of is the splash as the water falls into the lower ponds, make sure they are big enough to contain the splash, or you will be losing a lot of water.

What a creative set up!

 

[Sunshine]

That looks like a huge project. It will be awesome when done. Keep us updated with pics of progress.

 

[DrDave]

That is an interesting water feature you have going there. I like it.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Good to see someone else unafraid of rocks and concrete! Nice job, so far. Good luck, Wolf.

 

[WolfStock]

One thing to think of is the splash as the water falls into the lower ponds, make sure they are big enough to contain the splash, or you will be losing a lot of water.

Yeah - that's something I hadn't thought of at first, but realize it's at least somewhat of an issue. As it is now - with the single fall going for a few months now - I lose water at a rate of about 2-3 gallons per day (50 gal pond ends up about 2/3 full after about a week) during the summer. It does splash a fair amount - most of the splash stays within the pond boundaries, but even still a lot splashes against the sides and then evaporates.

I'm going to have to be careful with the waterwheel - it may take a couple of tries to make one that will keep the water in, but we'll see.

Anyhow, just something to live with - I'm going to have to just fill it occasionally. I do have a drip irrigation system next to it, and will probably add in an adjustable outlet to get a rough regular fill.

 

[addy1]

My waterfall splashed a lot, being on city water in a desert area I couldn't stand to lose that much water (tooooooooo big of a water bill). My previous husband and a friend very nicely put the liner down for the bio filter, then cut the liner to only 6 inches past the bottom of the filter, which was a waterfall. While I was at work. Needless to say that would not contain any splash.

I kept adding liner and rocks until the splash was contained and fed back into the system. There was evaporation, but I did not want to just lose water too.

 

[WolfStock]

Another weekend's work - doing the first course of stone.

The plastic actually has sentimental value - it was first used 12 years ago in our first apartment after getting married - we used it as window covering.

 

[addy1]

looking good, neat to use something that has so much meaning to you

 

[WolfStock]

Thanks.

P.S. that rock step there is the "Gabriel step" - for my son to step up and look into the one pool.

P.P.S. addy - where do you find the "zone" info (e.g. you being in 6a/7a)? I'm likely in the same zone - near you in Leesburg - just wondering about what info might be provided about the zones.

 

[addy1]

Did a search on frederick plant zones. Since the area has rolling type hills it is rated as both.

http://www.ersys.com/usa/24/2430325/usda.htm

I just did a net search typed in --- plant zone 21710 (zip code)

The site that came up gave the information.

We get into the minus every now and then, so my house would be more of a 6a area.

Neat step you have made for you son.

 

[DrDave]

That should look really nice with the stone and a few plants to finish it off and make it look more natural.

 

[WolfStock]

Next up - the water wheel. That's been my project the last couple of weeks, and it's done now (hopefully). Yesterday I tested it. It kind of flopped actually, though that was primarily due to the not-so-straight dowel rod I used (wasn't paying enough attention when I got it). It would turn some and then stop, I'd push it and it would turn 360 and stop. It's easy enough to replace the dowel though. Worst case I may have to add some backward-facing lips on the paddles, though it's made to allow for that if necessary.

I won't actually put it in place and start it permanently for a few weeks, after the stone work is done. Yesterday was for testing so I'd know where to place things.

(P.S you can see one of my gourd plants in the background - that thing's going crazy! It's about 25 feet long or so, and made it's way onto my upper deck. No gourds on in it though, though I do have some on some other plants)

 

[Sunshine]

That looks great. Love the gourd plant.

 

[DrDave]

Very nice. Did you build it from drawings or plans? Are you concerned that water splash may excape the pond?

 

[WolfStock]

Very nice. Did you build it from drawings or plans? Are you concerned that water splash may excape the pond?

I couldn't really find any good plans online, though there were plenty of example pictures of water wheels to go by. I mostly winged it, after going through some designs in my head and on paper. It's just made from 4" x 1/2" oak pieces from Home Depot, and I sealed it well with spar varnish.

I am concerned about splashing, especially splashback, which is why I made the buckets/paddles fairly shallow, and tapered. However they may be a bit too shallow, we'll see. Fortunately it's got some good room for adaptation if necessary. Yesterday in testing it seemed to do pretty well in terms of splashing actually - pretty much all the water stayed within the lower pool. I do plan to build up the rocks some around it as well, to catch any additional splashing.

I do figure that between the three falls - evaporation and splashing - I will have to keep adding water over time (already do actually). Fortunately I have a downspout right next to it I can use, though I'm leery of that - might just run that into a container and not directly into the pond.

One question - anyone aware of any kind of good water-level trip-valve, for a smaller pond? Seems like something similar to what's found in a toilet tank would be good, though something more hide-able and/or better looking.