I'm building a pond - is my plan ok?

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by clueless1, Dec 24, 2012.

Page 6 of 9
  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598

    I've done that with my current attempt, so that I can plant things at different depths and so that any animals that fall in can find a way out.

    Its also designed so that on a hot day, you can walk in started at the very shallow part, and stepping down gradually, should anyone decide it would be fun to get in it (mostly that'll be me, love jumping in water).
     
    • Like Like x 1
      clueless1, Jun 3, 2013
      #76 Quote in Conversation
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jan 12, 2019
      Messages:
      48,096
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +100,846
      That's good, but the kids will still need to have an eye kept on them!!!:snork: I don't want to be a Killjoy but pond water ain't the healthiest of water to be jumping or wading in. I learnt that some years ago when I went into my pond which just trainers on with a cut on my foot. I spent a very painful month before the infection was killed by anti-biotics:gaah: When I go into the pond now I don Chest Waders!! I've planted all my marginal plants in cheap plastic containers like half size washing baskets. I lined them with hessian, put ordinary garden soil in them, put the plants in and then put gravel on top to stop the soil floating to the surface. People advise using Aquatic compost and, for me, it's pointless spending good money on something that isn't needed.:dunno::snork:
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • Useful Useful x 1
        ARMANDII, Jun 3, 2013
        #77 Quote in Conversation
      • clueless1

        clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

        Joined:
        Jan 8, 2008
        Messages:
        17,778
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Here
        Ratings:
        +19,598
        I never thought about nasty diseases in pond water. I'll look into that and see what (if anything) can be done.
         
        • Like Like x 1
          clueless1, Jun 3, 2013
          #78 Quote in Conversation
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jan 12, 2019
          Messages:
          48,096
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +100,846
          Well, if you're planning a normal pool with plants in it etc, there's not much you can do as bugs, [good and bad] are part of the natural eco-system and are needed a part of a balance needed to maintain natural ponds. If you're going to jump in water build a swimming pool!!! Even then you have to play Chemical Warfare to kill the bugs.:snork:
           
          • Informative Informative x 1
            ARMANDII, Jun 3, 2013
            #79 Quote in Conversation
          • clueless1

            clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

            Joined:
            Jan 8, 2008
            Messages:
            17,778
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Here
            Ratings:
            +19,598
            A swimming pool would be good, but I promised the lad a pond that we can go fishing in. But he also came up with the idea of playing boats in it (he meant toy boats, our pond isn't big enough for a real boat). So I'm not sure what to do next. But then I rarely do. My approach to most projects is to just make it up as I go along and see what I end up with:)
             
            clueless1, Jun 3, 2013
            #80 Quote in Conversation
          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jan 12, 2019
            Messages:
            48,096
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +100,846
            Well, sailing toy boats on the pond won't do any harm.:snork: But again Kids and ponds are not a good mix unless supervised. I fenced off the pond and put a lockable gate on it when my 3 daughters were here. It's an attraction especially when no adult is looking and it only takes a minute for something to happen.:dunno: Also for a youngster sailing a boat on a pond can be a passing fancy whereas a pond is a nearly permanent fixture needing some maintenance.
             
            ARMANDII, Jun 3, 2013
            #81 Quote in Conversation
          • clueless1

            clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

            Joined:
            Jan 8, 2008
            Messages:
            17,778
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Here
            Ratings:
            +19,598
            I'm going to fence the whole section off, and he'll only be allowed in there when I or wife are there with him. Its going to be sort of a secret garden. You can't see it from the house because its behind the greenhouse at the far end of the 'obvious' half of the garden. Its going to be really cool.
             
            • Like Like x 2
              clueless1, Jun 3, 2013
              #82 Quote in Conversation
            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jan 12, 2019
              Messages:
              48,096
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +100,846
              :thumbsup::snork: You know where to come for support!!:snork:
               
              • Like Like x 1
                ARMANDII, Jun 3, 2013
                #83 Quote in Conversation
              • clueless1

                clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

                Joined:
                Jan 8, 2008
                Messages:
                17,778
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Here
                Ratings:
                +19,598
                Being the impatient sort that I am, I've set the hose off filling it up. I fully expect there to be some leaks, and for some of the cement to crack under the pressure, but I figured its worth seeing if its at least level and going to look right now before I put too much more effort into it.

                Next I will figure out how to drain it again, and see what's happened to it and whether its worth continuing as I was or if I should write it off and do it again properly with a liner.

                Its nearly full now.
                 
                clueless1, Jun 4, 2013
                #84 Quote in Conversation
              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jan 12, 2019
                Messages:
                48,096
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +100,846
                Don't forget to let the lime in the cement to dissolve over a day or two!!:snork:
                 
                ARMANDII, Jun 4, 2013
                #85 Quote in Conversation
              • clueless1

                clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

                Joined:
                Jan 8, 2008
                Messages:
                17,778
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Here
                Ratings:
                +19,598
                I'm going to order some pond liner. Its a disaster. I expected a few leaks on the first fill. I didn't expect it to leak like a sieve.

                I filled it up. Nipped to my mam's for an hour to sort out her TV which had stopped working (simple case of dodgy ariel wire), and came back, pond is less than half full.
                 
                clueless1, Jun 4, 2013
                #86 Quote in Conversation
              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jan 12, 2019
                Messages:
                48,096
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +100,846
                Order the Butyl type if you can, it's slightly more money but it's worth it. How deep have you dug it and will that be the same depth for the next one.

                If you don't try, you'll never know!:snork:
                 
                ARMANDII, Jun 4, 2013
                #87 Quote in Conversation
              • clueless1

                clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

                Joined:
                Jan 8, 2008
                Messages:
                17,778
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Here
                Ratings:
                +19,598
                At its deepest point, Its about 30 inches. The next one will be smaller, and will be miraculously made out of a pre-formed pond:)
                 
                clueless1, Jun 4, 2013
                #88 Quote in Conversation
              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jan 12, 2019
                Messages:
                48,096
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +100,846
                Hmmmm, I'm not a lover of preformed liners as they have to be seated exactly right in the soil or where they are not fitting properly comes under strain from the weight of the water. With liner you just dig the hole, put in old carpet and lay the liner........job done. Don't forget the smaller and shallower the pool the easy it is for it to heat up and for algae to grow.:snork:
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                  ARMANDII, Jun 4, 2013
                  #89 Quote in Conversation
                • Jenny namaste

                  Jenny namaste Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Mar 11, 2012
                  Messages:
                  18,646
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Occupation:
                  retired- blissfully retired......
                  Location:
                  Battle, East Sussex
                  Ratings:
                  +32,979
                  Hi Clue,
                  my heart goes out to you over this project. It 'ain't as easy as it reads on the packet is it? I have premonitions of a pre-formed shifting over time - unless you can be sure it's on a very firm, level base.
                  James must be getting very excited at the thought of this pond. He will love being down there with his Dad,
                  Jenny
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                    Jenny namaste, Jun 4, 2013
                    #90 Quote in Conversation
                  Page 6 of 9
                  Loading...
                  Similar Threads - I'm building pond
                  1. Jj91

                    Looking for a particular type of hedge but I'm clueless :(

                    Jj91, Sep 5, 2024, in forum: NEW Gardeners !
                    Replies:
                    9
                    Views:
                    945
                    ViewAhead
                    Sep 6, 2024
                  2. Pink678

                    What's the best way to get oxalis out from between patio stones? I'm ripping up my gloves and nails

                    Pink678, Jun 13, 2024, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                    Replies:
                    13
                    Views:
                    681
                    fairygirl
                    Jun 14, 2024
                  3. The Bird Lady

                    I'm a newbie from the GW site

                    The Bird Lady, Apr 18, 2024, in forum: New Members Introduction
                    Replies:
                    7
                    Views:
                    714
                    The Bird Lady
                    Apr 22, 2024
                  4. Pink678

                    I never hear warnings not to cut trees/hedgerows in nesting season - I'm going to email RSPB ...

                    Pink678, Apr 1, 2024, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                    Replies:
                    32
                    Views:
                    1,832
                    Emerion
                    Apr 3, 2024
                  5. Madra

                    A tree was damaged by wind and I'm wondering if it's a lost cause

                    Madra, Mar 17, 2024, in forum: Trees
                    Replies:
                    12
                    Views:
                    912
                    Goldenlily26
                    Mar 30, 2024

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Accept Learn More...
                    Dismiss Notice