Yet Another Pond Cover!

[Quintus]

I've been building wood frames for my pond net covers for quite some time but they always sag and/or break. So I decided I needed something better...something which would last... and my better half came across koikeepr's Winter Pond Cover post which served as our base plan. But my pond is an (approximate) 14-foot by 16-foot oval which presented a number of problems. In addition, my cost was much higher then koikeeprs. I bought an extra large nylon net at my local pond store. It was $55.00 but it's nylon (much stronger then the MANY plastic nets I've purchased over the years I think) and I can make 2 covers out of it. My PVC parts, tie-wraps, rebar, etc. cost $80.00 at Home Depot, so I'm into this for $135.00.

After assembling the materials it took us about 4 hours to build and install it, and I'm very pleased with the results...it is very sturdy and should last a very long time.

Many many thanks to koikeepr for taking the time to make the post which helped me visualize the plan. I hope my post benefits someone too!

Here are some pictures...

 

[addy1]

Very nice job, looks like it will work great too. I am sure the koi will love the protection.

Very inventive.!

 

[bsr8129]

I understand the reason for this, but after making your pond look so natural and blend in with the suroundings i cant imagine putting something like that which stick outs like a sour thumb over it. i guess i am lucky that where i live i have no snow or birds of prey

 

[addy1]

I understand the reason for this, but after making your pond look so natural and blend in with the suroundings i cant imagine putting something like that which stick outs like a sour thumb over it. i guess i am lucky that where i live i have no snow or birds of prey

I have snow, birds of prey, fox, raccoon, etc etc............and no net, but not doing koi. I don't want anything I have to worry that much about.

They are pretty for the koi lovers out there!

 

[Quintus]

I understand the reason for this, but after making your pond look so natural and blend in with the suroundings i cant imagine putting something like that which stick outs like a sour thumb over it. i guess i am lucky that where i live i have no snow or birds of prey

I lost 5 fish to a racoon (or cats) during the past year due to my laziness in not fixing the old broken wood framed pond cover. In addition, a couple of years ago my wife saw a heron in our pond with it's bill to the shy and a fish tail slithering into it's mouth. The neighbors cats fish at my pond and -- yesterday -- I found one of my (prized) koi big boys out of the pond, out of water, languishing on top of the damaged wooden pond cover frame. Luckily I found him in time and he seems to be doing ok. So...if I want fish...I don't have much of a choice. I intend to spray paint the white 1/2 inch pvc piping with black plastic/paint (as discussed in koikeepr's topic) which will turn the entire appartatus semi-invisible (much as it is presently difficult to discern the black nylon netting in the above pictures).

 

[addy1]

pvc piping with black plastic/paint (as discussed in koikeepr's topic) which will turn the entire appartatus semi-invisible (much as it is presently difficult to discern the black nylon netting in the above pictures).

It is a great looking frame the black paint will make it non see able. You are right if you want koi you have to protect them That is why I am not doing koi........... This is more of a water garden open to wild life. If we do any fish it is deep enough to protect them, but they will be something besides koi..........nickle feeders lol

 

[Quintus]

It is a great looking frame the black paint will make it non see able...

I'll try to remember to post new pictures after it is painted black.

 

[addy1]

I'll try to remember to post new pictures after it is painted black.

Great look forward to it.

 

[Quintus]

OMG!!! I just noticed!!! I think I know where those koi went!!!

 

[stroppy]

omg!!! I just noticed!!! I think i know where those koi went!!!

lol

 

[addy1]

OMG!!! I just noticed!!! I think I know where those koi went!!!

hungry gator.............utoh! lol
Look at those pearly whites too, he keeps them clean.

 

[blly8325]

Very nice, I Iike it alot. How what are the dimensions of your pond? I 'd like to do some thing like that for shade until my plants can do it.

 

[DrDave]

Are those white LEDs?

 

[Quintus]

My pond is a kind of oval shape, approximately 14-feet by 16-feet.

No, those are not leds.

 

[DrDave]

Those are some bright teeth!