Pictorial history of construction

[hewhoisatpeace]

one more of that group. Pond's a little foamy, rain has filled it over the skimmer mark for a few days. I'm very glad I put in that skimmer, I don't like the bubbly surface much.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Late June here. I've finished the brick work on the stream, and rock topped it. Added stepping stones to get to my pump and power control center in the pump house. Oh, yeah, had to build myself a little roof for the pump. I was mounting it it this big tupperware type thing, but I had to cut a big hole in the top for the outflow hose. So, unplanned pump house, OK. Had to add a low water shutoff, too, because with the bottom drain being always 1/3 open, could develop a leak at any point and drain the entire big pond. You know, where all the koi are. Not good, eh?

Water level only ever fluctuates at all in the big pond, the other two parts of the feature can only get about two inches lower, when the pump is off for cleaning the prefilters.

Get this: I was digging postholes on Easter Sunday for this pump house, with rain on the way, and managed to crush my septic drain pipe. Lowe's was open briefly, so I was able to get some 4" PVC (not schedule 40) to repair it. Tough day for that. Nothing like watching poop float by and knowing you've got to fix it fast & not having the right parts. Kind of reminded me of deadlines in Afghanistan. I really need to plan this stuff!

Anyway, I fixed it. I continue to tell myself that the holly tree next to that spot hasn't grown three feet since then, that it was a good sealed repair. Can't smell anything, anyway. 8-D

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Last of that day. You can see how this pond fits into the house here.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Now, this is yesterday. Looks a lot better to me, I've added a lot of landscaping. Euphorbia and junipers and sedums, one water lily (that can be seen yet), I've got some orange cannas, water willow, and bullrush in the pots you can see. I picked up a bunch of sale succulent houseplants in tiny pots, many of them are making really cool annuals, some failed. Got some dwarf papyrus, dwarf hyacinth, horsetail rush, and taros, one pitcher plant managing even though my water stays slightly basic.

My filter works pretty well, I think. When I first set it up, I poured a half gallon of ammonia in. within three days, I could not detect any ammonia in the pond. Still can't pick up any ammonia with a test kit, ph is about 7.6, no nitrites and very low nitrates. I do think I've got some phosphates in there, plants haven't developed enough to block sun or pull all the phosphates out. Yet.

No UV in here, though, and my water is not really green. I think the plants will eliminate need for UV as they get more mature, any comments on this are welcome.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

More of the same pics. You can see the drainage ditch around the area, a much more filled in area.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

And more. Too Many? Probably. I'm proud of it, I think it's a good first pond so far. You can see my pump, an Artesian 1/8-30 (3030 GPH @ 4', 152W max) with the 2" spa flex PVC going to my filter (which I haven't cleaned yet). I wrapped the filter in coarse burlap, to let it blend in some. Lots of caladium, and I'm trying to get moss growing on my stepping stones, but they are too newly cast concrete to do it yet. I've got some great moss taking off on my standing stones, though.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

More. Big elephant ear growing in my filter. There's a smaller black taro in there, too.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

And these are the last, finally! I know, if you've looked so far, you're like, "what the hell is this guy doing?" I don't know, just showing my work, looking for contructive criticism, and willing to share what I've learned, if it can help anyone. I've tracked down all the knowledge that I've used on my own, so I surely could have missed something important, if you think I did, please let me know! (I'm still really inexperienced at this).

Basically, it was not easy, but certainly not without a lot of enjoyment and very possible.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Will

 

[addy1]

Wow you have worked your butt off on that one. Love the rocks you collected, and it sure did grow from last year to this year.

Your landscaping is great. Great job.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

Not sure I did that thanks thing right, but - Thanks, addy1. I've seen yours, so you're more used to this obsession than am I.

I do design landscapes for a living, though, so if anyone here needs some ideas, I'll try. This was me trying to get my foot in the door of pond design to go with my garden design, so I figured I had to get it right on my own place first. Makes a nice advertisement, though, if I keep it looking good.

 

[addy1]

Looking good now! what is that fine grass looking plant? in your last pictures? picture on left.

You should get work from that pond. Honey loves your landscaping

 

[stroppy]

very nice pond :0)

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

"Looking good now! what is that fine grass looking plant? in your last pictures? picture on left."

"feather grass" is all I know that one as. I bought 5 just for the heck of it while at Home Depot, 1g plants on sale, knew my wife would like them. If I had known their growth habit, I would have used them elsewhere, might still move them. Need a perennial grass that grows 2-3', it's hard to find one to stay that small. Thought about pink muhli, maybe...

 

[addy1]

My honey likes the way it looks, will have to see if it will survive our area.

They have dwarf zebra grass, the one with the green and yellow stripes, just a little over 3 feet,
I have the dwarf and full size.

Also this one is only 2 feet, really pretty, I have it also.
Dwarf Fountain Grass / Hierba Fuente Enana

This one is beautiful and would probably survive your area, I have a picture of it in my thread, it won't survive our zone, so it will be coming in for the winter..........lol Going to try and keep them dormant but alive in the basement.
Purple Fountain Grass / Rabo de Gato Morado

this one grows only 12 inches, i have it too lol very pretty

Sweet Flag / Cálamo Aromático
Acorusgramineus'Ogon'

 

[DrCase]

Realy nice !!!
You can see the pond grow with every new pic
Great job