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Pond construction started today!

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fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 17, 2005, 12:32 PM

Post #1 of 117 (4296 views)
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Pond construction started today!	Can't Post

Today my dad and I went to the local nursery and the pond guy Todd helped us put together a good bunch of supplies for our pond. He didn't have enough liner or the biofalls filter unit, but those will come hopefully by monday. We did get a good start on the digging, and we built a good berm over the piping and got the skimmer in place.

Here's the link to the pictures, use the slideshow function to see the descriptions of the pictures: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/habes1016/album?.dir=/b8f5&.src=ph

The biggest problem we have had so far is a huge chunk of sandstone that we hit after about 2-3 hours of digging. Mad

The worst part about the chunk of rock is that it's not too hard to chip through, but that's the highest part of the pond, so we need to dig the deepest there. Unsure

I also had a hard time explaining to my sis and dad how the slope makes the high end 18" higher than the low end, so we need to dig deeper on that side. Finally I got some string in the right place to show them where the water line would be. Wink

------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

GCSpyder
Koi Addict

Jun 17, 2005, 12:38 PM

Post #2 of 117 (4286 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi fishkid,

Saw the pix, great going! Looks like you have your whole family digging with you. A nice pleasant day too. Keep up the fantastic pace.

cheers..

lilhelper
Member

Jun 17, 2005, 1:27 PM

Post #3 of 117 (4279 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

looks good to me. Dont be cheap, if you do with that size of pond. you will end up having to pay way more in the long run compared to doing what needs to be done in the beggining.
good luck and keep us posted
-lilhelper

oh heres a tip.

dig off little chunks of dirt at a time.
this way u can get alot more done without the back pain and time consumption
------------------------------------------------------------
1 ochiba shigure 13"-14"
1 aka bekko 8"-9"
2 Matsunosuke kohaku.
1 9"-10" Shusui
1 Matsunosuke Showa
1 Matsunosuke Sanke
1 10"-12" Yamabuki ogon

DONE WITH MY POND, look at it in members pond, under MY NEW POND.

(This post was edited by lilhelper on Jun 17, 2005, 1:29 PM)

Koi38
Senior Member

Jun 17, 2005, 2:32 PM

Post #4 of 117 (4266 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's quite an effort. At least you get a chance to tell your Dad what needs to be done Tongue

Yuo may want to
keep the boulder and use it as waterfalls or stepping stone for the bridge. Keep it up and keep us posted Smile

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 17, 2005, 11:08 PM

Post #5 of 117 (4240 views)
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Re: [GCSpyder] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the compliments and help! Laugh

Hi GCSpyder, yes I was surprised when my mom came out and started helping to pick out the rocks, and even more surprised when my sis asked us if we had another shovel. We only had 2 shovels, but she enjoyed using the crow bar to break up rocks and loosen the dirt for us. Cool

lilhelper, we are trying not to be cheap Wink

, we got an underlayment from the nursery instead of just using stuff from around the house, and we ordered a bigger filter box for our pond instead of getting the one they had and calling it good enough.

Koi38, sorry I forgot to mention in my first post, I only had one blister after the whole day of work! My hands served me well, and gloves work wonders also. Laugh

-David
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

SFClaxton
Koi Lover

Jun 18, 2005, 2:54 AM

Post #6 of 117 (4228 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Look like it going to be a fine pond. I can't really tell how deep are the pond, so, I hope you are planning to have it atleast 3' deep. I like the idea of an island in the middle too. I remember seeing one of the member's pond about a year back that also have an island. You may want to do search to get more idea.

Have a great digging weekend,
Sang

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 18, 2005, 11:43 AM

Post #7 of 117 (4207 views)
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Re: [SFClaxton] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi SFClaxton, thanks for the complements! We are going to make the maximum depth about 30", the pond guy's pond is only 2 feet deep and the liner sizes weren't big enough to accomodate anything deeper.

Well, it's the end of day 2 of excavation...can't wait to get done and put the liner in, then the real fun will start. Laugh

I managed to get a pretty good sized blister on the pad of my left hand just below my middle finger, and it hasn't popped yet, its just a big bubble. Crazy

Anyways here is the link to the 3 new pictures from today:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/habes1016/album?.dir=/b8f5&.src=ph

Edit: Koi38, I forgot to mention before, we can't really use the huge boulder of sandstone for anything because it's too huge and fragile, and it just chips away when you dig at it.
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

(This post was edited by fishkid on Jun 18, 2005, 11:54 AM)

Koi38
Senior Member

Jun 18, 2005, 4:18 PM

Post #8 of 117 (4191 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Kid,

All those hard work will pay off once you put your kois in there. Wink

Just imagine it you setting next to your pond
built by you with beer on one hand or maybe a glass of Milo Laugh

. Keep us posted. BTW, where do you dump your dirt???

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

lilhelper
Member

Jun 18, 2005, 10:52 PM

Post #9 of 117 (4181 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

i have a question.

how are you going to put the liner around the island?

are you going to lay the liner over the island?

if you ever dont want the island you can take it out and gain atleast an extra 500 gallons to your pond.

update us on all the equipment you will use please.

looks like so much fun. Smile

------------------------------------------------------------
1 ochiba shigure 13"-14"
1 aka bekko 8"-9"
2 Matsunosuke kohaku.
1 9"-10" Shusui
1 Matsunosuke Showa
1 Matsunosuke Sanke
1 10"-12" Yamabuki ogon

DONE WITH MY POND, look at it in members pond, under MY NEW POND.

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2005, 5:44 AM

Post #10 of 117 (4169 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

It will be extremely satisfying when I can be able to just sit next to the pond and watch the fish. Laugh

We are just piling all the dirt around the side to create a berm to blend in the waterfall. On the lower side, the berm makes it so our water level is higher and we don't have to dig as deep.

Our plan is to just lay the liner over everything, and trim a circle out where the island is going to go. We are planning on using the circle that we trim out to line our waterfall to keep water from escaping, but we don't know if the piece will be big enough yet.

Equipment...as far as filtering and such? We are using supplies made by NurseryPro. We have a microskim skimmer, a 2,000 gph pump, a minifalls biofilter, a 20' x 30' liner, 6' x 75' of underlayment, and 25' of piping. Other than that it's just a wheelbarrow, 2 shovels, a crow bar, a rake, a level, and a pickup truck. Wink

I plan and hope to be done digging by tomorrow night- that is if my dad wants to dig on Father's Day. Crazy

If not at least we'll be able to go mini-golfing and see the koi at the pond there. Laugh

-David
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

xcathodex
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2005, 5:58 AM

Post #11 of 117 (4167 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

from what i understand, depending on your pond size and the number/size of koi you keep in it, you will probably need additional filtering.

lilhelper
Member

Jun 19, 2005, 6:47 AM

Post #12 of 117 (4166 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

cutting a circle out for the island is extremely risky to me. have caution. Crazy

that could spell disaster to me.
if it was my pond. i would do away with the island for the gallonage and the fishes sake. that will give the racoons a place make a spot for getting your fish.

and also you said your making a berm.
well when you add dirt on the side of the pond. know this when you add dirt to the side, you also raise the water level, and most likely the water will go over your ponds island.

observe from your last the picture u posted on your website.
but if you can pull the task off, then right on.
and good job.

be careful
------------------------------------------------------------
1 ochiba shigure 13"-14"
1 aka bekko 8"-9"
2 Matsunosuke kohaku.
1 9"-10" Shusui
1 Matsunosuke Showa
1 Matsunosuke Sanke
1 10"-12" Yamabuki ogon

DONE WITH MY POND, look at it in members pond, under MY NEW POND.

(This post was edited by lilhelper on Jun 19, 2005, 6:52 AM)

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2005, 1:26 PM

Post #13 of 117 (4148 views)
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Re: [xcathodex] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi xcathodex, the pond isn't going to be too terribly deep because the pond guy's pond is not deep and his fish, plants etc are doing fine, and the side without the island that would be deeper is about 85% rock. It will probably end up being about 1,500 gallons, if that, with all the rocks and everything in place. But don't worry, if it shows signs of not having enough filtration, getting too dirty and having a lot of algae, I'll be sure to add more filtration.

lilhelper, I don't think the island should be too hard to cut out, we have enough liner to go into the pond, over the island, and into the pond on the other side, so all we will have to do is get the liner in place and cut out what we don't want from the island. About the berm and water line- we aren't going to have the liner OVER the berm, we will secure the liner UNDER the berm, and we are going to build the island up anyways. Tongue

Thanks for your concerns though, if anything goes wrong now you can say "I told you so" Wink

No extra pics for today's digging because it was too dark by the time I remembered to take pictures. We made a lot of progress today though because my dad came home and helped, so we know have the first shelf almost done and we should finish digging tomorrow. Laugh

------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

lilhelper
Member

Jun 19, 2005, 9:52 PM

Post #14 of 117 (4131 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

well in that case good luck and HAVE FUN
------------------------------------------------------------
1 ochiba shigure 13"-14"
1 aka bekko 8"-9"
2 Matsunosuke kohaku.
1 9"-10" Shusui
1 Matsunosuke Showa
1 Matsunosuke Sanke
1 10"-12" Yamabuki ogon

DONE WITH MY POND, look at it in members pond, under MY NEW POND.

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2005, 1:30 PM

Post #15 of 117 (4076 views)
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Re: [lilhelper] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Haha, we had fun alright...isn't chipping through solid rock always such a blast? Laugh

Anyways I'll stop whining now because at least it was just sandstone and not granite or anything, and we're DONE DIGGING Laugh

...here are the pictures of the end of the excavation fase:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/habes1016/album?.dir=/b8f5&.src=ph

Now if only the liner and filter will get here faster, it's supposed to take until Thursday for them to arrive, and I don't know if I can wait that long. Tongue

So because of the supplies taking a while to get here, I won't have any more pictures for at least 4-5 days. I'll also be gone on Tuesday and Wednesday so if I don't post for a while you'll know why.

-David
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

SFClaxton
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2005, 10:48 PM

Post #16 of 117 (4045 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi David,

Your hard work will pay off. Two comments if I may. First, re-enforce your island where the bridge cross over with something like 2x4. Second, since you are in a COLD climate. I would recommend you looking at these websites if you have not already done so and build a similar version.

http://www.wernersponds.com/deicer.html
http://www.geocities.com/bickal2000/pond.htm (use a deeper contain than the one in the picture and have some hold for the heat to escape)

I�m in the northeastern of Mass. We got over 2� of snow this pass winter. However, the pond has an area of 4x4 free from ice and snow. I did this by building the smaller version of the de-icier and a doom over the de-icier to protect it from the snow.

Sang

(This post was edited by SFClaxton on Jun 20, 2005, 10:50 PM)

koineedtoknower
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2005, 11:18 PM

Post #17 of 117 (4032 views)
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Re: [SFClaxton] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Northeastern Mass, no kidding. Im in central Mass myself.

Anyways, It looks as though it is going really good. Do be careful about cutting the liner, never want to have to buy another. I do not think the island will need reinforcing as water will be pushing on it from all sides evening it the pressure out.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

1 bekko, 1 sanke, 1 showa, 1 yamabuki ogon, 2 platinum ogons, 1 asagi, 1 orenji/yamabuki ogon, 1 buttefly kohaku, 2 kujaku, 2 shubunkins, 3 comets, 1 sarassa comet, 3 feeder fish, 2 kivers, 1 catfish.

SFClaxton
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 1:55 AM

Post #18 of 117 (4027 views)
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Re: [koineedtoknower] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I have a brother in-law out in Sterling. I'm in the good old town of Mel & Rose. The reason I suggested to David to reinforce the wall where the bridge crossover because water and dirt don't mix well in term of support. Keep in mind; this is with the thinking that the bridge will be in service and not for display only.

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 4:42 AM

Post #19 of 117 (4015 views)
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Re: [SFClaxton] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, I have a few questions:

1. So where on the island does the 2x4 go to reinforce it? On the side where the bridge comes across or on top where the bridge will sit? I too, like koineedtoknower think the pressure from water and weight of rocks on top of the island should keep it pretty sturdy. Crazy

2. I do live in a colder climate, but a lot of the time it isn't all that cold in the winter, 40s and occasionally getting up to the 50s and low 60s. I've gone golfing here on New Years Day. But anyways aren't you supposed to keep the pump running in the winter? Won't the water movement keep an open spot for gases to escape and oxygen to enter?

3. I'm also confused about the deicer....it's supposed to make a hole in the ice for the exchange of gases, but it's just a big dome so won't it hold in the gases?

Sorry if I'm being a pain, and I don't mean to question your knowledge, but these things aren't quite adding up right in my head today. Crazy

Just need some explanations... Smile

------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 4:46 AM

Post #20 of 117 (4014 views)
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Re: [SFClaxton] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Also, about the bridge, it will be used to get onto the island to plant stuff there and to trim plants or whatever, but it won't be used for a lot of the time as there isn't really enough room to sit on the island, especially when the rocks and plants are added. Now that I think about it though, I can see how the bridge, though small, with weight could start to sink into the dirt on the island if it isn't packed down good enough...
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

lilhelper
Member

Jun 21, 2005, 5:08 AM

Post #21 of 117 (4009 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

you should defintetly reinforce the island. or else the island will erode and you pond will have a giant problem.

you are now getting to the really fun stuff for the pond building, it is never too late to change ideas. Have funn.
------------------------------------------------------------
1 ochiba shigure 13"-14"
1 aka bekko 8"-9"
2 Matsunosuke kohaku.
1 9"-10" Shusui
1 Matsunosuke Showa
1 Matsunosuke Sanke
1 10"-12" Yamabuki ogon

DONE WITH MY POND, look at it in members pond, under MY NEW POND.

fireworkblast66
Member

Jun 21, 2005, 6:13 AM

Post #22 of 117 (4007 views)
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Re: [lilhelper] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

if i were building that pond i would leave the liner on top of the island and put something like a shallow kiddie pool on the island on top of the liner and fill it with dirt(the 10$ kind of pools at kmart or walmart) and then put flagstone around the kiddie pool to hide the edges. just remember to put a few holes in the bottom of the pool to release some water so the roots of plants dont rot. that way you could have an island that can leter be removed....thats what i would do
Thanks Marshall
__________________________________________________
Upgrading to 3700+ Gallon Pond - 3325 GPH Pump
Homemade 140Gallon Filter

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 8:23 AM

Post #23 of 117 (3991 views)
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Re: [fireworkblast66] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the suggestions, but I think I'm going to stick with the original plan. Last night my dad and I used a measuring tape to figure out how much extra liner we will have and we'll end up with a lot of extra. What we are going to do is just put the liner in the pond, over the island, over everything, and we will still have slack on the edges. Then just like if we were trimming the liner off the outside of the pond, we will trim it off the island. Then the plants can go right into the ground, and the roots will help to keep the soil from eroding.
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

SFClaxton
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 11:18 AM

Post #24 of 117 (3955 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi David,

No problem! Let me know if you have another question.

1. Let me re-phase: Think of it as being a supporting wall for your bridge. Similar to a support wall for a house! Don't depend on the soil.

2. Great! You do not have to deal too much with the cold and snow. One less thing you have to take care of. J Pumping the warm water from the bottom to the top will cool of the pond down and freeze easier. Do some research on the topic of winterizing your pond. You still have time for this.

3. The dome, by all mean, is not air tight. The main function is to keep the snow off the de-icer.

Have fun,
Sang

fishkid
Koi Lover

Jun 21, 2005, 12:51 PM

Post #25 of 117 (3946 views)
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Re: [SFClaxton] Pond construction started today! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Okay, thanks for the help SFClaxton. I should have enough time to figure out how I will handle the winter as it is June and 90 degrees right now. Wink

One more question...is sandstone ok to put in the pond? Since it is so soft I have been throwing it out thinking it would just chip away and maybe even start to wear down under the water current, but I was wondering if anyone had any proof of this.
------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

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