My Construction Checklist

[ZmanArt007]

This is going to basicly be my shopping list for supplies I need to by before I start construction on this: http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt328/ZmanArt007/Zman Art/mypond.jpg Feel free to make suggestions and help me add to the list.

Liner, 20' * 20' (*2)

Sand(underlayment), Four large bags

Liner glue and silicon

1'*1' Stones and Bricks (60-70 each)

PVC piping (1"-2") lengths decided later.

Water pumps *3 (gpm/gph later)

Heavy duty trash can (filter drum)

Mechanical filter media

lava rocks (biofilter)

Shovels

Power drill

long 2*4 and leveler



Thats all I can think of right now. Please help me realize it if I forget something!

 

[koikeepr]

what are you using 1" pipe on? Try to avoid it as it causes lots of friction and clogs.

Avoid lava. Pain to clean. Try something like strapping instead. See my 5000 gallon pond build thread.

Hard to tell from your photo what you filter plan is. You're not giving us much info other than stuff.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Is that the kind of strapping that holds cardboard boxes during shipping? I might use your way of putting it in netting. Thanks for the info on the PVC too.

 

[koikeepr]

yes, the kind that holds carboard boxes together. Just go to ebay and search for 1/2" poly strapping tape.

I think you're working backwards. Show us a sketch of your pond idea. Give us measurements, depths, type of fish you plan for, etc. And then we'll help you decide what your materials are. Don't buy stuff BEFORE you have your plan in place.

 

[ZmanArt007]

I'm sorry, all my information is on another thread; I actually think you commented on it as well XD

Anyway here you go:

Hey there, sorry to bring back an old thread, but I just thought I would post the current design I am hopefully going with.

Also, this is to scale. one square is one square foot. If I did my math right, the pond should be a little under 3,000 gallons.(2,842.4 gallons to be exact )

Also(again), on the far right of the pond where plants are shown now, there is actually going to be a waterfall.

Any questions or comments?

And the measurements:

Here is the length. The perimeter adds up to 74'

The depth is 2' with an area that is 4' deep and an area that is 3' deep.

Also, I am going to use a homemade filter made out of a trash can or maybe a plastic trough of some sorts.

I already have koi fish in an indoor tank about 600 gallons, and plan to move them out to this pond.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Also, here is a 3D model: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=2a01af89fa2452f062a0b00019b904d3

 

[undrtkr_00]

Cool 3d sketch!

 

[koikeepr]

Very nice. Now draw out your filtration. Sizes of pipe, size of filters, check valves, ball valves, etc. It's a large pond, and it appears you only have one filter. What's the story there? It's looks like you're planning on Bottom Drains. What size? I would go with 1 4" one on each pond side. What about a skimmer(s)?

Have you considered putting a filter on each size and then plumbing each BD separately to each one? Are you doing a settlement chamber of some kind?

Give us more.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Unfortunately, my scanner is broken. I plan on using two bottom drains attached to the same filter. I am debating whether or not to have a skimmer in the other corner of the pond, since I live in a new developement area, and there are utterly no trees taller than ten feet anywhere around. I might just wait to get a skimmer and get one when truely needed.

My filter is going to be a heavy-duty trash can that can hold water well, full of mechanical filter media. a pipe leading to the top of the can will let water in. Gravity will cause the water to enter a pipe at the bottom of the can, and a pump will take it from there into a biofilter/waterfall. I plan on using 2" to 3" for all piping.

I have not yet desided what size of bottom drain to use. This filteration system works well for my indoor tank, and I think that if I remake the system, Texas sized, it should work for a pond this size.

 

[koikeepr]

You really can't have two bottom drains feeding into one barrel. It's too much water for it to handle. One filter for this pond is too small. You need to have 1 55 gal drum for every 1500g of water. How many gallons are you thinking you'll end up with? How big is the trash can?

Yes, all piping should be 2-3". good.

An aquarium style filtration does not lend itself to a pond. These systems function differently. You are not getting leaves, twigs, debris in a home aquarium. You are dealing with different types of detrius. Build a proper pond, not an oversized aquarium. Don't let yourself think that way.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Well here is a model of the filter; I will think about what you said and sketch some.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=ba1892c687b6740462a0b00019b904d3

 

[koikeepr]

your photo is too small for me to see anything. I do see rocks, and that would not be suitable for a filter. It will be a total nightmare for you to keep clean.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Haha, sorry for the small picture. Those rocks are just the structure of the waterfall. A biofilter is inside it.

 

[ZmanArt007]

Here is a better picture, of the new design.

Fairly self-explainitory. Feel free to as questions.

 

[koikeepr]

1. where is your waste drain at the bottom so you can exit the crud that will collect on the bottom?

2. why have you chosen to do a vertical divider and force water down and under? (nothing wrong with it, but just curious.). How will you suspend that divider? what will it be made of?

3. where will your pump be and what kinda pump? submersible or external?

4. what size is your inlet and outlet pipe?