DIY Pond Feature

What do you think?





Water is filtered via a plastic garden sieve that's a a nice size for a large flower pot. The sieve has some scotchbrite type material in the bottem and is then filled up with a bucket of washed pea gravel. A low voltage circulating pump sits underneath the sieve in the free water space so that water is drawn down through the filter. A small hole was made a tight fit for the lead and a larger one to suit a piece of garden hose that the delivers water up through a hole in the sandstone base to the large rock on top. 22mm holes are a reasonable fit for the outside of standard garden hose. The filter is hidden underneath the ducks

The pump comes with a various spray heads and there was an idea to use one of these as well, but really it's high enough as is, especially since the wind can catch the water and throw it to the pond edge as it bubbles out the top of the rock.

It took about an hour, with rest stops and clearing out, to drill the holes.

Still a lot of work to do on the pond and excuse the reed muddle in background which is sheltering a clump of frogspawn!

This part is still a bit temporary at the moment but the waterfall provides excellent aeration.



Filter is simmilar but comprises a large strong plastic box that sits on the bottom of the pond and has about 3 times as much gravel in it.

[ 19. March 2007, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Couple of questions:

The last picture what is the funny slimy looking thing on the bottom right of the rock. It looks like a squashed frog.

Would it be possible to tilt the large rock forward slightly, so the water does not run down its surface. That way there will me more impact as the water hits the surface, allowing more oxygen to be exchanged.

I like it.

 

Thanks for the interest and suggetion

The slimey looking squashed frog 'thing' is a piece of driftwood and was placed there to break up and splash the water as it falls. :D It has already been determined by higher authority that it won't be staying there.

The rock is roughly oblong and is tilted forwards about 5 deg. although it's not really obvious from the pic. I have concerns about it toppling if it's tilted any more. It's heavy and I don't want it in the bottom of the pond! There is a bit of a depression on the front ledge which acts as a rough spout but the top is off the level and needs to be manouvered and lifted at the RHS to stop the flow slewing. At the moment the flow is constrained (a bit) by thick poly tow rope on each side. This leaks condsiderably and the intention would be to coat it with pond mastic to make a bettter channel.

The supply hose (1" dia) is slightly out of position which is also spreading the flow over the face. A fixed nozzel might make it behave better. Underneath the front of the rock and poly liner and underlay there is an old basin dug into the earth to provide a catchment pool before the water wends its way into the main pool.

It's all a bit experimental and nothing is really fixed yet so changes are easy to make. There is also some debate as to whether another small preformed pool will be incorporated but it may be too much for a small garden.

 

Looks pretty good to me - so you got a waterfall at the back and a fountain off to one side at the base. Is the rest of pool calm - i. e reflective.

Is there any chance of seeing a picture of the totality so it can be seen in contest?

 

Fran:

Waterfall is at the back of the pond facing the house and the feature is a central island in the middle of the pond. I'll try to get some more photos during the week

 

Looks great, Froggy - glad about the squashed frog thing, though! :D

You must be freezing working on it just now - it's kinda cold out there :eek:

 

Earthed up the back of the waterfall, added loads more rocks and cobbles and set a few water plants over the weekend. The waterflow is the same but higher authority decided a trickling tinkley sound was better than a gushing spout so the waterfall delivery is set further back and spreads out over the rock face even more. Will have to see how it behaves when thick moss takes over.

The bird bath column is too tall and will probably be replaced by a small sundial.

Still to finish digging out the overflow soak-away at the back of the greenhouse but all the pipework is now hidden although easy to access. With more rocks, rockery plants, pond plants and some fish and with a bit of time it should mature well.

I'm begining to dislike that horrible old fencing in the background though!









[ 27. March 2007, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

The pond and surrounds look fantastic, Froggy! But I think that fence is going to bug you..... Watch this space for the next project, maybe? :D

 

Hi Froggy, the waterfall looks much better now. Your water is nice and clear too.

About the fence, just an idea why not cover it with bamboo fencing it's pretty cheap in wilkos, or there is another type which is closer woven but can't remember what it's called it's in a pack too, and looks like long twigs thats from the same shop too, or you could just paint your fence. It would look nice in blue or green.
Hope this helps.

 

its coming a long, may i suggest you loose the bricks on the perimiter

 

The pond had an addition of 9 small goldfish at the weekend and they have all taken to it well. First day they were keeping well hidden but are now coming more into the open and have taken a little food.

Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. ....... and our local freecycle group. Unknown at the time there was also a small strand of toad spawn in the bucket so we now have a full house!

Meanwile the frog spawn continue to grow and are devoloping heads, bodies and tails. The pond was also loosing water and I finally tracked it down to a fold in the liner at the back of the waterfall that was allowing some water to escape. Now sorted, the pond seems to be holding its level.

I'm still playing with the reclaimed bricks and at the moment they have been laid out to mark the edges of a path. The intention is to set them edge on about 2" proud and make a path of 'random' stepping stones and gravel. Not a lot got done over the weekend because I had an emergency job to do on Saturday and the fish were collected on Sunday. I did manage to run the supply cable (low voltage) for the pumps through plastic tube and bury it under bricks across the line of the proposed path.

 

Pond is coming on a treat, Frogesque!!

How did you shift that great boulder? My back is aching just looking at it!

When mixing stones of differing materials, I have found that a little washed gravel in the cracks and crevices helps to blend them together and increase the 'natural' look. It also provides a foothold for small plants, insects, etc.

Cheers

 

What a lot of work! Its looking great though, my friend had a waterfall in her garden years ago and they put a slate near the edge to get the fall of water. (Maybe a thought!)
MEF750

 

it looks like you've been doing quite a bit of work there, looking good