DIY pond

[WD47D]

Hello all,
I live near Boise Idaho and am scheming up a plan for a pond. Im looking for some guidance or input for my specific design and use.

thinking around 20,000 gallons
fish are not being considered for now but not opposed to having them
would like it to be swimmable and clear for us and our dog
I will be maintaining water with a well.
I was considering running my irrigation from the pond (with a planned max draw down level) and backfilling from well every morning.
I imagine with the irrigation use it will get thousands of gallons of new water maybe every day.

this is a new idea to me and I would like some constructive input or information regarding filtration etc. I was thinking a bog filter but I don't yet have knowledge of plants that will work in my region or if a bog filter is necessary with no fish but were swimming in the pond.
any thoughts, criticism or guidance are appreciated!

 

[j.w]

@WD47D

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

That’s a huge pond. Sounds more like a swimming pool.

 

[Lisak1]

20,000 gallons? Goodness. That's massive.

No fish? Here's the issue - the three components of an "eco" pond are water, plants and fish. Imagine if you were building a pond but said "I don't plan to have water". You'd quickly find out that you had an issue. Same with removing fish from the equation. While the results may not be apparent as quickly, your plants and your water will suffer without adding fish.

And I think your concern for daily "fresh" water is unfounded, especially if you do manage a 20,000 gallon pond.

Do you have access to machinery and know how to use it? Do you plan this to be lined pond?

 

[WD47D]

20,000 gallons? Goodness. That's massive.

No fish? Here's the issue - the three components of an "eco" pond are water, plants and fish. Imagine if you were building a pond but said "I don't plan to have water". You'd quickly find out that you had an issue. Same with removing fish from the equation. While the results may not be apparent as quickly, your plants and your water will suffer without adding fish.

And I think your concern for daily "fresh" water is unfounded, especially if you do manage a 20,000 gallon pond.

Do you have access to machinery and know how to use it? Do you plan this to be lined pond?

I do have the know how and access to equipment fortunately. I planned on researching and using the highest quality liner and maybe even sandwiching it between protective layers.

thank you for the info on the fish, I have read that now and I see the issue...

which part of the irrigation portion do you think is unfounded? that I wouldn't be adding thousands of gallons daily? my math was just whatever irrigation needs I have daily will need to be added back to pond plus evaporation losses. if I have a large grass yard (which I'm trying to avoid) grass is very thirsty and I live in a desert... that being said, this is all an educational journey and I want a large pond but there's a whole conversation to be had about responsible water use.

thank you for the reply and info, I really appreciate it.

Hello and welcome!

That’s a huge pond. Sounds more like a swimming pool.

thank you!

 

[GBBUDD]

I have read that now and I see the issue

fish are a must to manage algae growth but it can be a fine line where too many can fish can feed the algae it needs to grow.

There is two sides to the coin where your taking water from the pond and using it to water the lawn/ vegetation. Have you had your well water tested ? more often than not, well water is hard water and will probably be in need of adjusting, balancing. Or it could be a fantastic thing to take large doses of water effectively making for large water changes. But the average here is to let nature find her own balance maybe with some help like the addition of baking soda to buffer the ph and kh. So taking thousands of gallons a day maybe counter productive.

There is no this is what to do as all water sources vary from location to location. In idaho though i would gather you would have mineral rich water .

The filter battle bog over bead or RDF again is one there is no you must do this or that each has its trade offs. I have two bogs and matrix bog and a smaller pea stone bog , advantage, all the biological filtering you could ever need. Traps even the suspended particles in the water making crystal clear water. Disadvantage , There is no removal of these trapped particles at least not in an quick easy thorough cleaning. like back flushing a bead filter. yes you can drain the matrix bog and water ever drops out of the first few inches of the stone. but the rest is locked in. Now for all the microbes and bacteria this may be a buffet table and is the idea. but i have come to love a recent addition being a large nano bead filter that traps the same particles and with a simple backflush takes no more than five minutes , one that can be done even in a white tux, or evening gown. and this water is the best you could ever find for a water source that also has a fertilizer mixed in. now if you eliminate the fish or do very small amounts of fish this benefit drops.

The rdf filter is constantly draining small amounts of fertilized water. but is the most efficient mechanical filter but is terrible as a biological. that can be easily fixed with a bog or a fluid bed filter.
I would start with modern design scaping on you tube and click on his videos. He talks about the nuts and bolts to pond design, next would be oz ponds and Aquascapes.

 

[Lisak1]

which part of the irrigation portion do you think is unfounded

Not the irrigation - I have no idea how much water an irrigation system uses daily. I thought you were thinking this would be a great way to keep the pond filled with "fresh"water so you and your dog could swim in it. There's nothing "unfresh" about a well balanced pond. I get in mine all the time and we've only done top offs for many years.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[billdolloff]

I'm sharing a link to my pond/stream project. I've worked on this each summer since 2002. First summer was planning, study, knowledge, and design with some initial excavation. 2023 was more excavation, purchase of components, liners, etc. and installation of liners, landscaping, etc. 2024 was more work on landscaping, adjustments. This summer I will finalize landscaping and covering up of exposed liner around the edges. I have substantial perennial growth but this winter I bought some nicely colored artificial plants, nobody will know the difference. Here is the link.

Glad to share more details (e-mail address removed) I am in New Hampshire.

 

[bicepeak]

What a wonderful project! Looks great!

 

[GBBUDD]

I'm sharing a link to my pond/stream project. I've worked on this each summer since 2002. First summer was planning, study, knowledge, and design with some initial excavation. 2023 was more excavation, purchase of components, liners, etc. and installation of liners, landscaping, etc. 2024 was more work on landscaping, adjustments. This summer I will finalize landscaping and covering up of exposed liner around the edges. I have substantial perennial growth but this winter I bought some nicely colored artificial plants, nobody will know the difference. Here is the link.

Glad to share more details (e-mail address removed) I am in New Hampshire.

And the winner is @billdolloff you got both @combatwombat and i both beat , put together.

 

[combatwombat]

@billdolloff: nice looking pond!

@GBBUDD: Thinking 2002 was a typo. Would make feel a bit better if not, though.

 

[GBBUDD]

@billdolloff: nice looking pond!

@GBBUDD: Thinking 2002 was a typo. Would make feel a bit better if not, though.

Betting hair algae lessons substantially this year for you. This is spring 3 correct?

 

[billdolloff]

@billdolloff: nice looking pond!

@GBBUDD: Thinking 2002 was a typo. Would make feel a bit better if not, though.

yes definitely a typo ! 2022

 

[GBBUDD]

yes definitely a typo ! 2022

now you done it. you popped the bubble.