Raised pond under construction - a few tips please

Re the solar/non pump disagreement, doesn't it depend what the pump is for? Aren't the requirements for a fountain pump somewhat different from one just meant to circulate water through a filter?

 

If you decide you'd rather have timber 'twould be a doddle to screw battens to the blockwork and fix cladding to those.

 

Hi Bob, its taken a while! not enough time free from work and then too many wet weekends.

But its coming together.

The main pond is built, liner is in, filled with water, top has the coping stones on and sides rendered and painted. My rendering was never going to be very good so i went for a rustic look Tied that into the general feel of the surrounding patio so it all fits together ( i hope)

The raised planter behind is built and a gunnera relocated from elsewhere has been planted,

The smaller secondary pool is not quite finished, but with good weather next weekend ill get back to it.

The pump and filter were bought a while ago, the pump and pipe work is in situe, but need to sort out the electricity supply. (lets not start the discussion on here as well). The filter and electrical supply will be into my shed - will be going for outdoor water proof fittings, but housing them in a (hopefully) dry enviroment. Just need to get the connection made (fortunately not a long distance from a nearby outbuilding)

Once its all done i will post a link to my gallery with a time line of it all coming together.


Really it should have taken less time than it has, but i will get there in the end!

 

:D:D:D

 

Hi Gaz. Looking forward to seeing the pics. I've had the same problem, trying to get on with things only to be thwarted by the weather. Anyway, you're in the home straight now, all the hard work will soon be a distant memory, and I'm sure you'll have pleasure from it for years to come. Cheers...freddy.

 

I certainly hope so Freddy. My other problem is i get easily distracted. I have a patio to lay next to the pond next year - although im hoping that wont be too hard as it will be straight onto an exisiting concrete slab. After that another patio in the middle of the garden, some new raised borders to build and and and.....

I need a team of builders!!! But its nice to be able to look at something and say 'i did that'

 

Gaz, A tip when you do the patio, coat the existing slab with an sbr/ cement slurry then lay on a 4/1 wet moartar mix .

 

thanks Paul, its not going to be a big area, just enough for a bbq and table and chairs. I want to try and do it out of natural stone, which i guess makes it a bit trickier as everything is differing thicknesses. But i'll worry about that next year.

 

Although not finished i have uploaded a series of photos of the pond being built on webshots.

Webshots gallery

 

Hi Gaz. Looking good ! Just a few questions What fish are you going to put in it ? How many gallons do you have ? How deep is it ? What filter are you going to run ? What does the pump turn over every hour ?( that'll keep you busy :D ) Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy,

Fish - not totally decided yet (that bit wont be my decision anyway)

The main pond is just under 3,000 ltrs (660gal) and is 70cm deep

The filter we went for was the Hozelock ecoclear 8000 with the titan 5500 pump.

The filter and pump are probably quite a bit bigger than than the minimum recomended for the pond, but that should keep it clearer etc for fish.

The main pool will be kept plant free, but the water return will be into a small pool which will be stocked with plants (hopefully help reduce nitrogen etc) before returning to the main pool.

That bit will be the weekend project.

 

Hi again Gaz. The pump/filter combo seems fine. I reckon you COULD have one or two Koi, but no more, make up the rest with goldfish or something. If you DID decide to have one or two Koi, you'd have to consider giving the pond some kind of covering during the winter months because it's not really deep enough to go without it. Having said that, it LOOKS quite sheltered there. BTW, don't get carried away putting fish in all at once, there's something called 'new pond syndrome' to be wary of. I assume you will be putting in a U/V ? They reckon on 10watts of U/V per 1000 gallons so that should suffice for your needs, although I thinks it's always better to have too much than too little, water-garden could probably add more on this. Let me know when you're ready to add fish and maybe I can help you along the way. Cheers...freddy.

 

Trout taste nice.