Thank you again for such helpful feedback! A plumbing setup that is 2" from the bottom drain all the way to the pump simplifies things and reduces cost. I'm glad to hear that it's a good option!
Hi Gary! Thank you for sharing your build as it has similarities for sure! As you mention, my plan lacks a skimmer. I'm hopeful this will be ok and here's why I've opted to leave it out. First, the pond is elevated and far from trees. The porch that was there before excavation only got about a dozen leaves on it over the course of a year and there is no chance of lawn clippings making there way in. I suppose my biggest concern will be the leaves from the bog plants. Second, I intend to make the pond a home for turtles, which sound like curious creatures that can be hurt by a skimmer. Lastly, simplicity. I am open to a skimmer but only if it's necessary. Thanks again!
Thank you! I should be able to add a skimmer later on if needed. Also, I'm yet to design a pump room and this is great advice. It certainly needs to be spacious enough to work in and have ventilation to prevent overheating. Thanks for the help!
Hi Addy! Thank you for the encouragement! I continually remind myself of your setup and how simplicity can be the best way to go with bogs. Thanks!
Hi Gary! Your post is incredibly helpful! I was debating where the bottom drain should be and choose to offset it to maximize distance from the waterfall but considering the dimensions of the pond, I agree, the center will work great and make it easier to build in a mild downward slope toward it.
thelayout is not clear to me; but, Id' do 4" on the bottom drain way much easier to clean when needed, and gives the pump max water for intake - the old saying "pay me now or payy me later". Give yourself a couple cleanouts,. make maintenance as easy as you can - if you upsize one size larger than you think you'll need you'll have room for expansion - you can always reduce via pipe or valving, but you can't increase size
Really can't to a great degree oer valve or have cleanouts - yes space for mainenance will make life so much better - by valving you could have duplex operations, closinbg one for mainenance while the other continuses to function. Tho cost is a consideration DO NOT SKIMP - it's either pay now or pay MORE later. With ponding it seems to be close it down after a year or so or have it grow with additions. Pipe size: larger easier to clean, use sweep ells (or if using pvc you can heat and bend, especially if you need to "jog" abit to line up. Even after 20 years and being 82 still think I'd like to change this or that - actually choose to convert a smaller pond into a bog as cleaning it has become too difficult
Thank you for the great advice on cleanouts and valves! I'm definitely including several for that reason. You mentioned 4" pipe, but I'm committed to 2" now. It's been buried/concreted in. I'm hoping since the pond is not a gravity fed setup (pipes lead to an external pump that feeds the bog), the lower diameter will work and perhaps be beneficial in keeping the pipes clear of debris due to the higher flow rate. Also, following up on a previous post, I have setup the infrastructure for a large skimmer to keep water velocity slow and keep critters safe. I'm hoping it'll work out well. Thank you again for all the help! It's a slow process (even though I work on it every day) but I'll be following up with pictures and build details soon.