New kid on the block :)

[fishguysky]

I actually measured out my back patio, and I think that 4x3x2 is going to be a perfect starting point. It puts us right at 180 gallons. I saw a frame style that looked perfect. I'll explain more later.

 

[CountryEscape]

Yes, that looks like a great design. One thing I would suggest, since you're looking at a "mini bog" on the top for a filter, make the line go to the bottom of the pea gravel. That way the water will filter through the roots, feed the plants, and come out cleaner than it went in. Maybe you already knew that, couldn't tell for sure with your drawing, but I love the drawing! Also, the lily may take up a lot of the surface area, but that may be a good way to keep the water cool in the summer there, plus add color and excitement (when the lily starts blooming!) to the area.
When you go to Larkin's, you will get all sorts of pointers from him. Even though he's on a much larger scale, the advise will still pertain.
You say you have been breeding fish for many years. Have you bred the fish you want to put in the pond? That would be so awesome, have your home-grown fish to enjoy the outside! I think you said you know what you want, just have never seen them in person. If so, then get what you want and make it your happy place.
It's going to be fun to watch someone create a pond this time of year, especially for those in the northern states (at least more northern than you).

 

[addy1]

We built our deck pond out of 4x4's, (drilled, screwed and glued together), small piece of liner, still doing fine. No clue of the gallons. It is fed by the big pond, waterfalls off the deck into the stream

And

Glad you joined! our group

 

[Mmathis]

Had no idea what they were, so I looked up "egg fish." Interesting, but looks like they are hard to come by. LOL, before I joined here, I never knew there were all these exotic goldfish (other than the pop-eyed fish in the pet stores). Now, I'm taking an interest in Watonai & Wakin -- amazing how quickly we become specialized

Also, for your water lily, do you know what you'll go with? When the weather warms, I'm going to replace one or both of mine with more "dwarf" sized plants. Will be curious to see what you go with -- might give me some ideas.

Also, assuming your patio is on ground level as opposed to being a balcony. And I second fishin's comment about raising the pump from being directly on the bottom. There have been many stories about unfortunate losses when a pond has completely drained. I recently had a "malfunction" (wind caused the tubing going into my filter to separate). I was home at the time, which saved my pump, but what saved the fish was my having the pump elevated from the bottom -- this left some water there for the fish until I could intervene.

 

[fishguysky]

Yes, that looks like a great design. One thing I would suggest, since you're looking at a "mini bog" on the top for a filter, make the line go to the bottom of the pea gravel. That way the water will filter through the roots, feed the plants, and come out cleaner than it went in. Maybe you already knew that, couldn't tell for sure with your drawing, but I love the drawing! Also, the lily may take up a lot of the surface area, but that may be a good way to keep the water cool in the summer there, plus add color and excitement (when the lily starts blooming!) to the area.
When you go to Larkin's, you will get all sorts of pointers from him. Even though he's on a much larger scale, the advise will still pertain.
You say you have been breeding fish for many years. Have you bred the fish you want to put in the pond? That would be so awesome, have your home-grown fish to enjoy the outside! I think you said you know what you want, just have never seen them in person. If so, then get what you want and make it your happy place.
It's going to be fun to watch someone create a pond this time of year, especially for those in the northern states (at least more northern than you).

I doubt all my bettas would fair well in a coldwater pond. When my goldfish mature, I would love to breed those. I'd do some crazy crosses like moore x ranchu, and see what I get. lol. I didnt think about the water flow through the bog. Good point. I'll add it into the design.

We built our deck pond out of 4x4's, (drilled, screwed and glued together), small piece of liner, still doing fine. No clue of the gallons. It is fed by the big pond, waterfalls off the deck into the stream

And

Glad you joined! our group

Thanks! I saw your build thread, GORGEOUS piece of land. jealous. lol

Had no idea what they were, so I looked up "egg fish." Interesting, but looks like they are hard to come by. LOL, before I joined here, I never knew there were all these exotic goldfish (other than the pop-eyed fish in the pet stores). Now, I'm taking an interest in Watonai & Wakin -- amazing how quickly we become specialized

Also, for your water lily, do you know what you'll go with? When the weather warms, I'm going to replace one or both of mine with more "dwarf" sized plants. Will be curious to see what you go with -- might give me some ideas.

Also, assuming your patio is on ground level as opposed to being a balcony. And I second fishin's comment about raising the pump from being directly on the bottom. There have been many stories about unfortunate losses when a pond has completely drained. I recently had a "malfunction" (wind caused the tubing going into my filter to separate). I was home at the time, which saved my pump, but what saved the fish was my having the pump elevated from the bottom -- this left some water there for the fish until I could intervene.

I was thinking on the line of dwarf lilies. maybe two colors of lotus. Yes, I'm on the ground level. My small pond will be on concrete.

Thank you everyone

 

[j.w]

Now you've got me thinking Sky. With that small bog you are going to have w/ just gravel and hose going down into gravel w/ plants planted in gravel will you not ever have to clean that out or will it just be flushed w/ the pond water coming through it constantly? I am wondering if I could do the same kind of thing you are doing and make a bog out of my upflow filter waterfall by just putting gravel in it and placing a few plants in there. See you are giving me ideas here and I'm learning new things as I go :razz:

 

[Fishylove]

Welcome Sky! :wave: a patio pond will be great fun ! And you've got a superb mentor in Fishin, so take advantage!
Also i didn't see it on your plan, but if you incorporate seating (as addy has) on your pond frame that will help your space confinement as far as intertaining goes .
And I must say, it is Great to see young people, getting into this wonderful hobby! They are all right, its Very addictive!!
Again, welcome to our forum!!

 

[fishguysky]

Now you've got me thinking Sky. With that small bog you are going to have w/ just gravel and hose going down into gravel w/ plants planted in gravel will you not ever have to clean that out or will it just be flushed w/ the pond water coming through it constantly? I am wondering if I could do the same kind of thing you are doing and make a bog out of my upflow filter waterfall by just putting gravel in it and placing a few plants in there. See you are giving me ideas here and I'm learning new things as I go :razz:

Well, that's a good question. The addition of a loose filter sock on the end of the tubing, would provide sold waste management. I suppose the bacteria can over the rest. The way the filter sock would be positioned, however, would be easily accessible. So he plants would have to be planted on the outside of the top box with the middle being open and exposed for digging the sock up once every couple of weeks. If the plants are bushy enough, they could cover the middle, making no visual difference from the original plan. Extra filtration never hurt nobody

Welcome Sky! :wave: a patio pond will be great fun ! And you've got a superb mentor in Fishin, so take advantage!
Also i didn't see it on your plan, but if you incorporate seating (as addy has) on your pond frame that will help your space confinement as far as intertaining goes .
And I must say, it is Great to see young people, getting into this wonderful hobby! They are all right, its Very addictive!!
Again, welcome to our forum!!

My patio, (I will take pictures later) is quite small, and the 4x3x2 frame will fit perfectly in the space I have designated for the pond. Any additional things would block my back door. Lol

 

[fishguysky]

this is the mod'ed "bog box"

 

[Fishylove]

Very nice! I see the filter sock, so the box will be filled with pea gravel then? Looks like you have a good handle on the process. Looks good..

 

[fishguysky]

Very nice! I see the filter sock, so the box will be filled with pea gravel then? Looks like you have a good handle on the process. Looks good..

Thanks!
It's almost like a sump.
The only difference is that my cat can't go outside to drink from the bog box. LOL

 

[Fishylove]

Lol I have kitties who like to drink from the ponds. Tolbert wants to, but his little piggy legs are too short to let him bend ans drink, he would if he could tho! Lol.

 

[fishguysky]

Haha! I get so mad when I have top off my aquariums.
Normal people have to worry about evaporation.
I have to deal with my cat.

 

[taherrmann4]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[fishguysky]

Welcome to the forum.

thanks!