More planning questions

[sissy]

If you look at my pics first row of block is below grade and the guy was right about that ,I have never done a retaining wall block wall on concrete and in NJ my block was on sand also but sand base was 10 inches there .I used much bigger retaining wall block on that wall because it was 5 feet high and block was each 12 inches high by 20 inches wide by 24 inches long so a lot heavier block .Still had 1 block underground there too as per building code for NJ

 

[sissy]

remember also that block with lip will have what they call a lean in .meaning block goes in by 1 inch and some have more than 1 inch to give it stability and to keep the wall from being pushed out .

 

[addy1]

Yep makes it real stable.

 

[jenn.]

Well, lots of progress!!! Ordered the materials for the raised wall portion this morning (they are a lock and pin design after-all). They will be here Saturday, the Bobcat guy comes next Wednesday to dig :alieneyesa: Ended on the Posatino Country Manor (basalite) wall with Matching Bullnose tumbled caps.

Got prices on everything (ouch) but at least we are getting there. The goal is to have a fully functioning pond by June 1st (and by having all of Memorial Day weekend to put it together I'm hoping that 4 days is enough).

Final (almost) Concept
9' x 15' odd shaped, semi-raised pond (kinda rounded out triangle thing) (pics to come). It will be 45mil Firestone rubber liner with underlayment.

We will dig a 4' hole, then 24" wall, end product should be about 5.5' - 5.75' deep (about 5-6k gallons)

Pump = Performance Pro Artesian 1/2 hp external pump

Jets = We don't want more holes in the liner so we are designing a "drop-in" ring out of pvc and hooking up an air pump to help oxeginate

Bottom Drain = Deciding on the Tetra 3" drain or something similar, just using 1.

Filter = The MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION!!!! Deciding on the Ultima II Pressurized Bead Filter (run us $1,300) or a similar one built by a local guy (runs $1,500 and uses same bio balls as the Advantage system). Would love an Advantage Plug and Play but totally out of price range ($4,000)!


Whew, tired

 

[addy1]

Wow doing good there jenn, when done sit with your feet up and look at the beginning to end photos, that is always fun to do.

 

[j.w]

Isn't it fun? Just think soon you will be sitting next to your nice new pond relaxing your sore muscles figuring what you can add to it next. Sounds good to me what you have planned and hope to see pics of your work in progress

 

[jenn.]

Relaxing may never happen After the pond is "finished" (whatever that means) we have the lawn to add in the back, the front to landscape, the tile and laminate to put in the other half the house and then there is still work, volunteer work, rehearsals/performances and whatever else we can come up with

Can't wait to not be nervous about this project any more!!!!!!

 

[jenn.]

Some pics of this weeks progress!

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures015.jpg

The pond from the other side of the yard

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures013.jpg

The bullnose caps for the top of the wall

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures012.jpg

The walls

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures017.jpg

This isn't leveled out, just placed them down to get a final shape and size, which is about 9.83' x 15.41'. :bowdown:

 

[jenn.]

Oh, also got an albino catfish (Kirby), to add to our little pond :bowdown:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures005.jpg

 

[j.w]

Looks like you have got your work cut out for you and get your Ben Gay ointment ready for those long sore nights ahead. You are making progress and cool fish. How come they call it albino when it's kinda yellow looking. Does it turn white w/ age?

 

[jenn.]

It's more like a fleshy white but it has red eyes and yes I think it does get a little whiter with time (or at the least the larger ones I've seen are whiter). Also thinking of adding a high fin shark later on.

 

[sissy]

remember you are going to need a level or 2 and a string line set up to level will help greatly if your first row is not completly level the whole thing will not be level and you will see it more and more the higher you go .level is your key word and a good compacted base

 

[jenn.]

Oh yeah, we just layed them down to see what it would look like. We still have to remove them so the bobcat can dig the hole next Wednesday. Can't wait!

 

[addy1]

Great, you are getting there!

 

[jenn.]

Progress!!!

The Bobcat made quick work of about half the pond

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures021.jpg

Here is where we called it quits this afternoon, from the left side of the yard

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures031.jpg

Here it is looking head on

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/jennurias/Pictures029.jpg

We still need to shave down all the sides to be perfect, drop the whole bottom another 10" and then deal with trenches for piping, bottom drain contour and leveling of the wall up top. Whew...I'm tired!