Here we go...

[CountryEscape]

PL, at first it looked like a broken bottle, then I looked again, is it something clay? How large is the small opening? Very cool treasure, but want to make sure they can't get caught if they go in the large end and cannot get out the small end. If the small end is at least 6" then it's a great find!
Don't worry about bad weather, that was expected. Soon as you get your tubing you will get the filter put together. You can add the water and fill the pond before the filter is finished, you know, or are you done filling the pond? You should post more pictures, as the above picture looks like the edge of your pond, and if you have some water in the pond, that also helps make it look more done.

 

[pondlover]

We measured the small opening and it's nearly 8". The entire thing is nearly 2 1/2 ft long. The back opening is about 20". I feel pretty good that the fish will be able to get in and out very easy. :goldfish: It will serve a double purpose because I'm going to put the pump behind it so it will be hidden behind the pot. I think it's made of clay. It's been out in the weather for years. I read in someone's thread that you can use clay pots in the pond and they aren't harmful to fish. I hope I read that right.

 

[CountryEscape]

Yep, you have a treasure for sure! Great find for sure. That sounds like it will be a nice place for the fish later on.

 

[sissy]

Just make sure you clean it well as there could be bad things that soaked into the clay .I use a barrel of water with peroxide and salt to clean everything and soak it for a week before i would use it in the pond

 

[koiguy1969]

the back edges of that clay pot, or whatever appear to be rather rough and/or sharp edged...this would concern me. the first time you see a spawn or fish that are in stress mode from a preditor visit or spooked for any reason. youll know why...they can dart around they pond almost violently. smashing into things, trying to wedge themselves into small gaps, etc... or even if they falshed on it. (flashing is basically scratching an itch, trying to remove a parasite, or any other cause)...this behavior causes injury ocassionally but those edges look as tho they could do some harm......this is what i see from the picture...just a word of caution.

 

[pondlover]

Wow I had no idea. Is there something I could put on the edges? Maybe seal it with silicone to offer protection for the fish. I think I will try and file the rough edges and then coat it with something.

 

[addy1]

That black roofing goop goes on nicely, makes a smoother and softer edge. You can pick it up at any home depot or lowes.

 

[sissy]

you can use files to get some of the rough edges off and then use the stuff addy says to farther protect the fish

 

[pondlover]

Just a little update. Our PVC tubing came in, so now we can begin the job of plumbing everything. Our 2nd piece of liner will be here tomorrow so I can line the bog. Then I hope to get the pea gravel and hopefully will get the pump up and running. Still aren't sure exactly how we will do the waterfall weir. Any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CountryEscape]

PL, did you check with KoiGuy on his weirs that he makes? He's really reasonable, and he can get you whatever size you want made up, if he does't have what you want on hand. I got mine from him and it was well worth the price and works fantastic! Look in the DIY section and search for waterfall weir. You just private message him and he will get back to you pronto. If you're using a filter container that is flat on one side, that might be your solution. When I was building my pond, before I had the waterfall built up, I wanted the filter running and my first filter box was a tote. I just put it on top of the liner laid over the hill for the waterfall, leaned it so the water would flow over the edge and made sure the liner was under the whole thing so no escaped water would go anywhere by back into the pond. I had it that way for a couple of weeks while I finished building the waterfall area. Good luck!

 

[pondlover]

CE I did and right now he is unable to get to his storage unit to make it. We are trying to think of something to do temporarily until he can make one. We have a 100 gal stock tank and I was trying to think of a way to do just what you suggested. I don't want to cut any holes in the stock tank until we have a permanent weir. We have even considered using the black pipe and heating it to flatten.

 

[j.w]

Someone here posted once on using a black plastic paint tray for a weir.

 

[rebelangel_3733]

I used a grey hard plastic drawer for my waterfall...it's small but worked great for last year. If you can see it on the pic...it's tapered in the front to allow the water to flow out.

 

[rebelangel_3733]

p.s. the whole in the back was for the pvc that I had to drill into it and my diy filter (which wasn't done in this pic yet).

 

[pondlover]

I'll look into something like that. Thanks for the tip. We have been trying to figure SOMETHING out. Maybe this wil work.