Need some advice on two issues.

[scar]

Hello,
Newbie from Malta here and this is my 1st post, or rather my 2nd since I've introduced myself already.

I need to ask a couple of questions which have been tormenting me for a while. I have a very small, rectangular pond (still dry) which is 10 feet long x 3 feet wide and can only hold 10 to 12 inches depth. I'm afraid I can't go deeper or larger since weight of water is crucial to my application. My garage is located directly beneath the pond you see! Which bring me to question 1:

In your opinions, am I off on a bad start? I mean - can anything really live comfortably in 10 inches of water to make it worthwhile the work or should I just level the whole thing with concrete and forget the pond idea? BTW, the pond is situated in an outdoor terrace.

If there's a chance that it just might work, then I would like to ask about the pump. Calculations revealed that I have approx: 188Gal and I was thinking about the Laguna Max-Flo 600. It wasn't difficult to choose ...cos...erm... it's the smallest 1 they got! :bowdown: Flow is (I think) too much than I'd ever require (582GPH) but there's a problem with head. It is rated at max 1.8m head! I plan to make a DIY biofilter but the height of this filter would be just about 1.5m high from the bottom of pond. Does anyone think this pump will struggle? I could get the next higher but then I'd get more flow too.. I don't have any space available for a waterfall ..or maybe a very tiny one which I suspect wouldn't make much difference.

Please excuse the long post and help save some of my cash - if I'm going to make an expensive mistake..

Thanks.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Laguna makes pretty good products. The head height really affects the performance of any pump. If you know you've got a 1.5m head, also think about your dynamic head (length and girth of pipes, fittings, UV clarifier, etc.), it will add to your total head heigth. Probably around 2m, or 7 or 8 feet. Find a pump that will perform a good 200 gph at 8', that'll take a bigger pump.

The added sound of a waterfall really makes a pond more enjoyable. Even a small one will add to your aeration and enjoyment.

What zone are you in? Or, how cold does it get in the winter? That will determine what you can keep in there, to some extent.

 

[scar]

Hi and thanks for the info. I knew I couldn't go wrong with a Laguna cos they were praised very much here on the forum, ---ok then. Point taken. I'll put my nose in more specifications, comparisons, costs, etc and (boy!! it's never easy choosing the right one innit? - I thought I cracked it..the smallest one) Anyways --let you guys know of what I@ve narrowed down.
Yes I also would like to have a waterfall, especially if I get a bigger pump, but then the only remaining problem would be space. I've googled some images of pond waterfalls and it was enough to make my drool....but just then I went in the terrace for a fag, looked at the dry pond and realized that I don't have the space required for those lovely slate piled carefully on top of each other with clear water shining off them. I tried to goole smaller waterfalls but never really seen one so small that I could get an idea from.

Regarding Malta - well it's a very small island located about 60 miles south of Sicily. The island is 25 miles long by 17 miles wide so it's practically just a tiny spec in the Mediteranean. (even the island is tiny - you can imagine my pond, Doh!) As you can figure out, the island is small small that a car drive North to South (in winding roads) will probably take you about 40 to 45 minutes. One hour max if you get traffic.Here in Malta we never, ever get snow. Nor freezing temperatures in the middle of winter. The only ice you'll get would be straight from the freezer. It will be cold but never below 0. Summers are fierce though. Extremely fierce - with temperatures reaching 35, 37 even 40 Centigrade. Ever been in a desert? That's it! Air conditioners are on full time 24/7.
My pond is in a cool spot though. It's shaded by a wooden ceiling on top of it and is located in a corner. The adjacent walls plus ceiling eliminate almost all the direct sunlight except for a small part (about 1/5 of it). This part gets direct sunlight for about 3 hours max around noon but the rest is in shade all the time. There's ample light (and heat) mind you but no direct sunlight.
I dunno what I can throw in there but I'll see for that in the future. No doubt I'll ask you guys for help but for now...pump and filter first!

 

[addy1]

thanks for the info on Malta, sounds very nice.

Could you build you waterfall outside of your pond? have the liner big enough to cover the waterfall area, i.e. on the edge of the terrace, waterfall into the pond. If you have a area that you could see from the house, that would be perfect.

There are ways to build small waterfalls. The piled up slate would add weight too. Maybe build one that incorporates your filter. Use the preformed ones, then add some rock for the rock look.

Here is a link that has small ponds, with small waterfalls, see if something tickles your fancy.

http://www.google.com/images?q=smal...tle&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQsAQwAA&biw=1280&bih=632

Post a picture of your terrace area, it always helps if we can see what you are talking about.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

A picture is worth a thousand words...